List of longest-running radio programmes

These are the longest-running radio programmes – those which were broadcast regularly for many decades.

Pilots, special broadcasts and repeats after the continuous run are not counted in the primary statistic. Title changes are acceptable if the format and presentation is otherwise continuous.

List

Programme Years Longest serving years Station First broadcast Last broadcast Number of broadcasts Genre | Notes and citations
Shipping Forecast 100 40 by Peter Jefferson BBC 4 July 1925 over 130,000 Information
(weather) 		Shipping forecasts were first broadcast in 1859 by telegraph to observation stations that would then raise signal flags for ships at sea. Broadcasts over radio using Morse Code by the UK Air Ministry's radio station began in January 2024. Spoken word broadcasts began on 4 July 1925 on the BBC.[4][5]
Grand Ole Opry 100 67 by Jimmy Dickens WSM 28 November 1925 Over 5,000 Music
(country) 		Live country music[6]
Radioavisen 99 DR 1 August 1926 News "Radio Newspaper". Hourly news broadcast. Launched as Pressens Radioavis in 1926. Adopted its current name on 1 July 1964.
Choral Evensong 99 BBC 7 October 1926 Music
(Religious/choral) 		Longest running live outside broadcast programme in radio history. Generally comprising Anglican evensong, occasionally Roman Catholic vespers. Initially broadcast on BBC Home Service, later branded BBC Radio 4, until 8 April 1970 when the programme moved to BBC Radio 3.
The Daily Service 98 43 by All Souls Church, Langham Place BBC 2 January 1928 over 33,500 Religious
(Christian) 		Live church sermon, bible reading, and choral music[2]
Music & the Spoken Word 96 40 by Richard L. Evans[7] KSL (flagship), NBC Radio (1929-1932), CBS Radio (1932-2005), syndicated (2005-present) 15 July 1929[7] over 4,700 Music
(religious) 		The Mormon Tabernacle Choir started broadcasting occasional rehearsals on KZN in 1922 but were wary of radio's quality and the current weekly programme did not start until 1929[7]
Voice of Prophecy 96 40 by H. M. S. Richards syndicated 19 October 1929 Religious
(Christian) 		Seventh-day Adventist religious program. Previously broadcast nationally on the Mutual Broadcasting System (1942-1947), ABC Radio (1947-1956), NBC Radio Network (beginning in 1956).[8]
Folkemusikktimen 95 26 by Rolf Myklebust (1952-1978) NRK 7 March 1931 4,700+ Music
(folk) 		Weekly folk music program[9]
Metropolitan Opera 94 44 by Milton Cross (1931-1975) NBC Blue Network (1931-1945),
ABC (1944-1958),
CBS Radio (1958-1960),
syndicated (1960–present)
CBC Radio (1934-present) 		25 December 1931 1,500+ Music
(opera) 		Longest-running continuous classical music program in radio history[10]
Chapter a Day 93 75 by Karl Schmidt WPR (WHA (AM)) 25 July 1932 (possibly earlier) Books Daily reading of books from various genres in half-hour increments. Summer program until 1939 and has been year-round since then. Some records suggest it may have first aired on WHA (AM) in the late 1920s. Carried on Wisconsin Public Radio since that network began in 1932 as Wisconsin Educational Radio.
Mahishasura Mardini 93 Birendra Krishna Bhadra, live until 1966 when a recording was made All India Radio 11 October 1932 Religious
(Hindu) 		An annual religious recital of the Chandipath for Durga Puja which started in the 1930s.[11][12][13]
The King's/Queen's Christmas Message 93 69 by Elizabeth II BBC 25 December 1932 90 Christmas
(speech) 		Broadcast internationally on the BBC World Service and by various Commonwealth broadcasters. Not broadcast in 1936, 1938, and 1969.
(WWVA) Jamboree 93 WWVA to 2007
WWOV-LP since 2014 		7 January 1933 Music
(country) 		Originally a weekly show, now limited to semi-annual specials and reruns[14]
The Haven of Rest/Haven Today 92 37 by Paul Myers syndicated 16 March 1934 Religious
(Christian) 		Christian evangelical. Called Haven Today since 2001, is a mix of music, Biblical teaching, interviews and current events. Based in California.
Julehilsen til Grønland 91 DR 18 December 1932[15] 17 December 2023[16] 91 Christmas
(information and music) 		Christmas greeting to Greenland. Televised from 1983. In 2024, DR announced that the programme would no longer be on the holiday schedule.[17]
Rambling with Gambling 91 34 by John B. Gambling WOR 1925 2016 News/Talk Hosted by three generations of hosts all named "John Gambling." Known as The John Gambling Show from 2000 to 2016 for legal reasons.
Make Believe Ballroom 91 29 by William B Williams WNEW until 1992, currently on WGMC, syndicated since 1940 3 February 1935 Music
(popular) 		Popularized the concept of radio disc jockeys playing recorded music. Name of show was dropped in the 1970s, but restored in 1979.
The Lutheran Hour 91 33 by Oswald Hoffmann 2 October 1930/
3 February 1935 		Religious
(Christian) 		Program originally broadcast from 2 October 1930 to 11 June 1931 and began its continuous run on 3 February 1935.[18]
A Voz do Brasil 90 22 July 1935 Information
(public affairs) 		National government sponsored weekly information programme. Originated as Programa Nacional, renamed A Hora do Brasil in January 1938 when it became a mandatory broadcast; known as Voz do Brasil since 1971.
La Hora Nacional 88 25 July 1937 Information
(public affairs) 		Weekly government-sponsored cultural and information broadcast required to be aired by all Mexican radio stations.
CBS World News Roundup 88 25 by Dallas Townsend CBS News Radio 13 March 1938[19] 22 May 2026 22,900+ News Broadcast on which Edward R. Murrow made his debut. Began as a special to report the Nazi occupation of Austria and again during the Sudetenland crisis, evolved into a daily broadcast during World War II. Ending due to closure of CBS News Radio in 2026.[20]
Lørdagsbarnetimen 86 NRK 20 December 1924 11 September 2010 Children A weekly children's radio program. Off the air during World War II. By the time of its final broadcast it had become the world's longest-running regular weekly radio series.[21]
Back to the Bible 86–87 41 by Theodore Epp 1939 2020 Religious
(Christian) 		Has been only available as a podcast since 2020.
King Biscuit Time 84 67 by "Sunshine" Sonny Payne KFFA 21 November 1941 over 17,000 Music
(Blues) 		Longest running daily American radio program[22] Live Blues music.
Voci del Grigioni italiano 84 RSI 25 November 1941 4,000 approx. Information
(public affairs) 		Guinness World Record: "Longest running factual weekly radio programme"[23]
Desert Island Discs 84 43 by Roy Plomley BBC 29 January 1942 over 3,200 Music/Talk Interview featuring musical choices selected by the guest.[24]
National Research Council Time Signal 83 CBC Radio 5 November 1939 9 October 2023[25] Information Aired daily marking 1 pm, Eastern Time
Renfro Valley Gatherin' 82–83 Syndicated 1943 Music
(country, folk, gospel) 		Features short stories, monologues, and a house band performing folk, gospel, and traditional country music.[26]
The Country Hour 80 ABC Radio 3 December 1945 Information
(public affairs/rural) 		Australia's longest running radio program. Started as a national program, currently seven separate state-based editions[27] broadcast on all regional ABC Local Radio stations weekdays from 12pm to 1pm.[28] Features rural and regional news, with a heavy focus on the agricultural industry.[29]
Arbeidsvitaminen 80 NPO Radio 5 19 February 1946 Music Music request programme
Hot Air 78 30 by Bob Smith CBC Vancouver 24 May 1947 Music
(jazz) 		CBC Radio's longest-running show features jazz from all eras.[30][31]
Midnite Jamboree 78 WSM 31 May 1947 3,807+ Music
(country) 		Country music performed live. Interruptions in continuous run in 2015,[32] 2020, and 2022.
Sports Report 78 39 by James Alexander Gordon BBC 3 January 1948 Sports The show started listing classified football results in the early 1950s but this ceased in 2022.[33][34]
Any Questions 77 32 by Jonathan Dimbleby BBC Radio 4 12 October 1948 Information
(public affairs) 		The longest running live discussion programme in the UK, Any Questions?, began in the West Region on 12 October 1948. It moved to the Home Service on 13 June 1950[35]
Your Story Hour 76 syndicated 27 March 1949 Children/Religious
(drama) 		Children's Radio dramas based on the Bible, historical heroes, and true-to-life adventures.
Unshackled! 75 syndicated 23 September 1950 over 6,500 Religious/drama
(Christian) 		Religious anthology series.[36]
The Archers 75 63 by June Spencer as Peggy Woolley BBC 1 January 1951 over 18,740 Soap opera Longest-running Soap opera in the world. Set in rural England.[37]
The Fisheries Broadcast 75 CBN (CBC Radio Newfoundland) 5 March 1951 News/Information
(rural) 		Originally The Fisherman's Broadcast and now The Broadcast, daily "explores the stories of people in Newfoundland and Labrador who work in jobs or live in communities that depend on the sea."[38]
The Baptist Bible Hour 73 70 by Elder Lasserre Bradley Jr. WCVX, syndicated across the United States February 2, 1953 Over 5,000 Religious
(Christian) 		Daily Baptist sermon and choral singing, broadcast from Cincinnati, Ohio[39]
The Midnight Special 72 37 by Rich Warren (including 13 years as a co-host) WFMT 23 May 1953 Music
(folk) 		Saturday night folk music program originally hosted by future film director Mike Nichols. Syndicated nationally since 1971.[40][41]
Folksong Festival 70 70 by Oscar Brand WNYC 9 December 1945 24 September 2016 3,600 approx. Music
(folk) 		Guinness World Record: "Longest running weekly radio programme (same host)"[42]
Le Masque et la plume 70 34 by Jérôme Garcin France Inter 13 November 1955 Arts (debate) Roundtable of professional critics devoted to the lively arts (film, literature, theater)[43][44]
Matysiakowie 69 Polskie Radio 15 December 1956 Soap opera Weekly 25-minute kitchen sink drama.
Farming Today 65 BBC 20 September 1960 Information
(public affairs/rural) 		Agricultural news
The Big Broadcast 62 26 by John Hickman WAMU 15 February 1964 3,100+ approx. Drama
(old-time radio) 		The show features a collection of radio from the golden age, the 30s, 40s, and 50s.[45]
The Happy Station Show 61 35 by Eddy Startz PCJJ (1928-1940, 1946–47), Radio Netherlands (1947-1995) 18 November 1928 17 September 1995 Music/light entertainment Long-running shortwave radio light entertainment programme from Holland in English and Spanish. Had an audience of as high as 100 million in the 1930s[46] and 25 million in the 1970s.[47] Off the air during World War II.
Cross Country Checkup 60 21 by Rex Murphy CBC Radio 16 May 1965 News/information
(public affairs) 		Weekly national phone-in show.
Ideas 60 20 by Paul Kennedy CBC Radio 10 October 1965 Documentary A nightly hour-long scholarly documentary programme.
Night Vision 58 51 by Pastor George W. Bogle Sr. WMUZ-FM 15 September 1967 16,500 approx. Religious
(Christian) 		A live call-in broadcast for prayer. Began in 1967 as Evangel Echos, changed name to Night Vision in 2005.[48]
Eighteenth Floor Block C 58 Commercial Radio Hong Kong 3 July 1968 Information
(public affairs) 		A social satire set in a local Hong Kong diner where customers discuss politics and current events.[49]
Letter from America 57 57 by Alistair Cooke BBC 24 March 1946 20 February 2004 2,869 Information
(public affairs) 		Longest-running speech radio programme hosted by one individual.[50]
As It Happens 57 18 by Mary Lou Finlay CBC Radio 18 November 1968 News/information
(public affairs) 		A nightly 3urrent affairs newsmaker interview programme.[51]
The World Tomorrow 52 32 by Herbert W. Armstrong syndicated in North America, Radio Luxembourg to Europe (1953-1980s) 7 January 1934 ca. 1986 Religious
(Christian) 		Called the Radio Church of God until 1939. Continued on television until 1994. Presented predominantly by Garner Ted Armstrong from 1958 to 1978 and by Herbert W. Armstrong until 1958 and from 1978 until his death in 1986.
Quirks and Quarks 50 23 by Bob McDonald (current host) CBC Radio 8 October 1975 Science news Weekly magazine featuring science news, interviews, and documentaries. Previous hosts include Dr. David Suzuki (1975—1979) and Jay Ingram (1979—1991)[52]
Your Hundred Best Tunes 47 44 by Alan Keith BBC 15 November 1959 21 January 2007 2,500 approx. Music Popular works which were mostly classical excerpts, choral works, opera and ballads.[53]
The Dr. Demento Show 40 40 by Barry Hansen aka Dr. Demento KPPC-FM (1971), KMET (1972—1987), syndicated (1974—1977, 1978—2010), KACV-FM (until 2011)[54] January 1971 January 2011 4,000+ novelty music Show continued to be broadcast online only until October 11, 2025 when Hansen retired.[55][56]

See also

References

  1. ^ Alex Hudson (17 February 2012), The lull of the Shipping Forecast, BBC News
  2. ^ a b Seán Street (2009), The A to Z of British Radio, Scarecrow Press, p. 89, ISBN 9780810870130, This 15-minute act of worship ... began in 1928
  3. ^ Mark J. Cartledge; Sarah Dunlop; Heather Buckingham; Sophie Bremner (2019), Megachurches and Social Engagement, BRILL, p. 160, ISBN 9789004402652
  4. ^ "100 years on: How the Shipping Forecast won a place in the nation's heart". BBC News. 4 July 2025. Retrieved 28 November 2025.
  5. ^ Andy Walmsley (27 January 2015), "A Brief History of the Shipping Forecast", Random radio jottings
  6. ^ Katie Miller (10 October 2016), "A History Of The Grand Ole Opry, The Longest Running U.S. Radio Show", Culture trip
  7. ^ a b c Eldean Bennett (2004), "Mormon Tabernacle Choir", in Christopher H. Sterling (ed.), Encyclopedia of Radio, vol. 3, Taylor & Francis, p. 1592, ISBN 9781135456498
  8. ^ "ESDA | Voice of Prophecy". Archived from the original on 13 May 2021. Retrieved 3 October 2025.
  9. ^ "Folkemusikktimen i 85 år". 9 March 2016. Archived from the original on 3 January 2019. Retrieved 18 November 2022.
  10. ^ "🕵️Nettica VPN: Lightning Fast Internet Surf Protection!". 11 June 2021. Archived from the original on 12 December 2002.
  11. ^ Saayan Chattopadhyay (2013), Performing Religion in Public, Palgrave Macmillan, p. 217, ISBN 9781137338631
  12. ^ Xenia Zeiler (24 October 2019), Digital Hinduism, Taylor & Francis, ISBN 9781351607322, It was in 1932 that Indian Broadcasting service started the broadcast of 'Mahishasura Mardini' on 'Shosthi' or the sixth day when actually the Durga Puja starts.
  13. ^ Vaishna Roy (8 October 2021), "Birendra Bhadra: The voice that heralds Durga Puja", The Hindu
  14. ^ "88th Wheeling Jamboree cancelled". WTOV. 14 September 2021.
  15. ^ https://www.dr.dk/om-dr/alletidersdr/lytter-foreslog-julehilsen-program-i-1932-soendag-sendes-det-89-gang
  16. ^ https://digitalt.tv/premierekalender/julehilsen-til-groenland/
  17. ^ https://knr.gl/da/nyheder/julehilsen-til-groenland-er-sendt-sidste-gang
  18. ^ Hangen, Tona (2002). "Man of the Hour: Walter A. Maier and Religion by Radio on The Lutheran Hour". In Hilmes, Michelle; Loviglio, Jason (eds.). Radio Reader: Essays in the Cultural History of Radio. New York: Routledge. pp. 117–118. ISBN 0-415-92820-6.
  19. ^ Smith, Steven (12 March 2013). "Reporting on history: CBS World News Roundup marks 75 years". CBS News. Retrieved 18 November 2023.
  20. ^ Axelrod, Jim (15 March 2013). "Pioneering CBS radio show reaches a special milestone". CBS News. Retrieved 18 November 2023.
  21. ^ NRK (7 December 2004). "Tre timer med Lørdagsbarnetimen". NRK (in Norwegian Bokmål). Retrieved 11 January 2019.
  22. ^ Byrnes, Jim (24 August 2018). ""Pass the biscuits, It's King Biscuit Time!"". Flapper Press. Retrieved 23 March 2021.
  23. ^ "Longest running factual weekly radio programme", Guinness World Records, 10 April 2009
  24. ^ "Desert Island Discs: Britain's longest-running radio show", Daily Telegraph, 29 January 2012
  25. ^ "The end of the long dash: CBC stops broadcasting official 1 p.m. time signal | CBC News". Archived from the original on 10 October 2023. Retrieved 3 October 2025.
  26. ^ "History | Renfro Valley Entertainment Center". renfrovalley.com. 25 February 2022.
  27. ^ "ABC Rural celebrates 75 years". ABC News. 29 May 2013. Retrieved 20 May 2025.
  28. ^ "Search results for "Country Hour"". ABC listen. Retrieved 20 May 2025.
  29. ^ "A.B.C. To Start "Country Hour" In December". Farmer and Settler. 16 November 1945. Retrieved 20 May 2025.
  30. ^ "CBC's Hot Air celebrates being Canada's longest-running radio show... We think". 12 June 2012.
  31. ^ "75 years ago, a jazz-loving football announcer created CBC's longest-running show". 21 May 2022.
  32. ^ Littman, Margaret (1 April 2015). "Ernest Tubb's 'Midnite Jamboree' Hits Pause". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 19 March 2022.
  33. ^ Jonathan Jurejko (2 December 2012), James Alexander Gordon: The voice behind the classified check, BBC Sport
  34. ^ "Classified football results get the boot", The Times, no. 73857, p. 1, 9 August 2022
  35. ^ "First edition of Any Questions?". BBC News. Archived from the original on 13 July 2023.
  36. ^ Owens, John (5 April 2015). "Radio docudrama 'Unshackled' still rings true after 65 years". chicagotribune.com. Retrieved 29 July 2020.
  37. ^ "The Archers – Frequently Asked Questions", BBC
  38. ^ "The Broadcast with Paula Gale". www.cbc.ca.
  39. ^ "FAQ".
  40. ^ "THE MIDNIGHT SPECIAL CELEBRATES 70th ANNIVERSARY", WFMT
  41. ^ "The Midnight Special Turns 70! | WFMT". Archived from the original on 5 June 2023. Retrieved 3 October 2025.
  42. ^ "Longest running weekly radio programme (same host)", Guinness World Records, 24 September 2017
  43. ^ "«Le masque et la plume» : 70 ans d'impertinence et de parler vrai", INA, 19 December 2023
  44. ^ "Cinquante ans de joutes", Le Monde, 11 November 2005
  45. ^ "The Big Broadcast", BigBroadcast
  46. ^ "On the Air", The Hollywood Reporter (Archive: 1930-2015); Hollywood Vol. 44, Iss. 38, (Mar 25, 1938): 4.
  47. ^ "Waves may be short, but news travels a long way", Windsor Star (1959-2010); Windsor, Ontario [Windsor, Ontario]09 Feb 1971: 38.
  48. ^ "Night Vision Ministries", NightVision
  49. ^ Eighteenth Floor Block C
  50. ^ BBC News 31 October 2012: Alistair Cooke – Letter from America: Bringing two nations together Retrieved 2012-11-03
  51. ^ "As it Happened: The Archive Edition - The evolution of As it Happens | CBC Radio". CBC News. 29 July 2019. Archived from the original on 1 September 2022.
  52. ^ https://www.cbc.ca/radio/quirks/50th-anniversary-episode-9.6934583
  53. ^ "Your 100 Best Tunes", Radio Rewind
  54. ^ "Dr. Demento Ends His 40 Year Old Radio Show". Chicagoradioandmedia.com. 5 June 2010. Retrieved 22 June 2010.
  55. ^ Greene, Andy (20 June 2025). "Dr. Demento, Madcap Radio DJ Who Launched Weird Al's Career, Announces Retirement". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 4 July 2025.
  56. ^ "Dr. Demento Show To End With 55th Anniversary". RadioInsight. 1 June 2025. Retrieved 1 June 2025.
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