Pop Culture & Entertainment

The Longest-Running Soap Operas by Episodes

The 24 television soap operas with the most episodes, worldwide, counted to mid-October 2026. General Hospital took the record from Guiding Light in July 2025 and passed 16,000 episodes on July 13, 2026; 14 of the 24 are still on the air and adding episodes every week.

ABC11 news report on General Hospital's 60th anniversary

Pictured: an ABC11 report on General Hospital’s 60th anniversary in 2023. The ABC soap is #1 with 16,066 episodes.

Rank Soap opera Episodes Country Network Years on TV Status Counted to
1General Hospital16,066United StatesABC1963–presentRunningOct 14, 2026
2Guiding Light15,762United StatesCBS1952–2009EndedFinal
3Days of Our Lives15,487United StatesNBC, Peacock1965–presentRunningOct 14, 2026
4As the World Turns13,858United StatesCBS1956–2010EndedFinal
5The Young and the Restless13,482United StatesCBS1973–presentRunningOct 9, 2026
6Coronation Street11,959United KingdomITV1960–presentRunningOct 11, 2026
7One Life to Live11,136United StatesABC, The Online Network1968–2013EndedFinal
8All My Children10,755United StatesABC, The Online Network1970–2013EndedFinal
9Emmerdale10,677United KingdomITV1972–presentRunningOct 14, 2026
10Barátok közt10,456HungaryRTL Klub1998–2021EndedFinal
11The Bold and the Beautiful9,883United StatesCBS1987–presentRunningOct 9, 2026
12Neighbours9,363AustraliaSeven, Network 10, Prime Video1985–2025EndedFinal
13Search for Tomorrow9,130United StatesCBS, NBC1951–1986EndedFinal
14Another World8,891United StatesNBC1964–1999EndedFinal
15Home and Away8,816AustraliaSeven Network1988–presentRunningOct 14, 2026
16Gute Zeiten, schlechte Zeiten8,628GermanyRTL1992–presentRunningOct 13, 2026
17Shortland Street8,323New ZealandTVNZ 21992–presentRunningOct 14, 2026
18Pobol y Cwm8,000+United KingdomBBC Wales, S4C1974–presentRunningSep 25, 2019
19Unter uns7,974GermanyRTL1994–presentRunningOct 9, 2026
20Familie7,953BelgiumVTM1991–presentRunningOct 14, 2026
21The Edge of Night7,420United StatesCBS, ABC1956–1984EndedFinal
22EastEnders7,417United KingdomBBC One1985–presentRunningOct 14, 2026
23Goede tijden, slechte tijden7,322NetherlandsRTL 41990–presentRunningOct 14, 2026
24Love of Life7,315United StatesCBS1951–1980EndedFinal

Scope: scripted television soap operas, meaning open-ended serial dramas that air several times a week, from any country, ranked by total episodes broadcast. Radio-only episodes are left out, so Guiding Light counts its 15,762 television episodes and not its roughly 2,500 earlier radio episodes. Streaming continuations of the same serial are included: Days of Our Lives on Peacock, Neighbours on Prime Video, and the 2013 online revivals of One Life to Live and All My Children. Weekly prime-time serials and finite telenovelas are not soap operas in this sense. For shows still running, the count is the number of the latest episode listed on or before the “Counted to” date (October 9–14, 2026 for most). These shows add between three and five episodes a week, so their figures were already out of date when you read this. Episode numbers come from the broadcasters’ own numbering as carried by episode guides. Hour-long British episodes count as two, because ITV numbers them that way. Pobol y Cwm is ranked by its last confirmed figure, the 8,000th episode on September 25, 2019. It has aired between two and four episodes a week since then, so its real total is higher and it may belong further up the table. Close to the cut-off: EastEnders will pass The Edge of Night within days. Un posto al sole (Italy, about 7,050, with episode 7,080 set for November 27, 2026) and Hollyoaks (UK, 6,784) are just below.[1][2][3] Further sources for rows 11–24:[14][15][16][17][18][19]

The Top 10

#1

General Hospital — 16,066 episodes

General Hospital premiered on ABC on April 1, 1963, and is the longest-running American soap still in production. It aired its 15,000th episode in June 2022 and its 16,000th on July 13, 2026. That milestone episode was also the first for new cast member Dean Geyer.[4] It passed Guiding Light’s 15,762 with episode 15,763 on July 29, 2025, and the episode listed for October 14, 2026, was No. 16,066.[1] With about five new episodes a week, it gains roughly 250 episodes a year on the shows behind it that have ended.

#2

Guiding Light — 15,762 episodes

Guiding Light started on NBC radio on January 25, 1937. It moved to CBS television on June 30, 1952, and ran there until September 18, 2009. Its 15,762 television episodes were simulcast on radio until 1956. With about 2,500 earlier radio-only episodes added, its total comes to 18,262, and Guinness World Records lists it as the longest-running soap opera across radio and television.[5] On television episodes alone, it is now second to General Hospital.

#3

Days of Our Lives — 15,487 episodes

Days of Our Lives premiered on NBC on November 8, 1965. It aired there for almost 57 years before moving to Peacock as a streaming-only show on September 12, 2022.[6] Its 15,000th episode streamed on December 2, 2024, and the episode for October 14, 2026, was No. 15,487.[1][6] That leaves it 275 episodes behind Guiding Light, a gap it will close in a little over a year at its current pace.

#4

As the World Turns — 13,858 episodes

As the World Turns premiered on CBS on April 2, 1956, the same day as The Edge of Night. The two were the first soap operas to run 30 minutes from their first episode. It ended on September 17, 2010, after 54 years and 13,858 episodes.[7] It moved to hour-long episodes on December 1, 1975, so its total airtime was longer than Guiding Light’s even though it has fewer episodes.[5][7]

#5

The Young and the Restless — 13,482 episodes

The Young and the Restless has aired on CBS since March 26, 1973. It reached its 12,000th episode on December 1, 2020, and its 13,000th on November 13, 2024.[8] The episode listed for October 9, 2026, was No. 13,482, which leaves it 376 episodes short of As the World Turns.[1]

#6

Coronation Street — 11,959 episodes

Coronation Street has aired on ITV since December 9, 1960, and has the most episodes of any soap made outside the United States. Guinness World Records named it the world’s longest-running television soap in September 2010, after As the World Turns ended.[9] Its 10,000th episode, an hour-long special set on a trip to Blackpool, aired on February 7, 2020. The Coronation Street fan wiki lists episode 11,959 on October 11, 2026.[2][9]

#7

One Life to Live — 11,136 episodes

One Life to Live premiered on ABC on July 15, 1968, and ABC aired its last episode on January 13, 2012. Prospect Park brought it back online from April 29 to August 19, 2013, on The Online Network.[10] Its 11,136 episodes include that revival. Episode guides disagree by about ten on the ABC finale’s number, which does not change its rank.[10]

#8

All My Children — 10,755 episodes

All My Children aired 10,712 episodes on ABC from January 5, 1970, to September 23, 2011. Susan Lucci played Erica Kane for that whole run. The 2013 online revival added 43 more, though the article that gives that figure also says 40 were produced.[11] All My Children and One Life to Live were the two ABC soaps Prospect Park licensed for the internet.

#9

Emmerdale — 10,677 episodes

Emmerdale began on ITV on October 16, 1972, as Emmerdale Farm, and dropped “Farm” from its title in 1989. Its 10,000th episode aired on May 22, 2024.[12] It ran six episodes a week for most of the 2020s. ITV announced in February 2025 that, from January 2026, it would air as half-hour weekday episodes. The Emmerdale fan wiki lists episode 10,677 on October 14, 2026.[2][12]

#10

Barátok közt — 10,456 episodes

Barátok közt (“Among Friends”) aired on Hungary’s RTL Klub from October 26, 1998, to July 17, 2021. It has the most episodes of any non-English-language soap on this list. RTL Klub announced in November 2020 that the show would end because of falling ratings. Its last two episodes, Nos. 10,455 and 10,456, aired together in prime time.[13]

Soap Operas TV Records All-Time Pop Culture

Sources

  1. TVmaze episode guides (api.tvmaze.com), which carry each show’s production episode numbers. Latest listed episodes: General Hospital Ep. #16066 (October 14, 2026), Days of Our Lives Ep. #15487 (October 14, 2026), The Young and the Restless Ep. #13482 and The Bold and the Beautiful Ep. #9883 (October 9, 2026), Home and Away Episode 8816 (October 14, 2026), Goede tijden, slechte tijden Aflevering 7322 (October 14, 2026), Familie 7953 (October 14, 2026), Neighbours Episode 9363 (December 11, 2025). General Hospital’s Ep. #15763, the one that took it past Guiding Light, is listed on July 29, 2025. The numbering was checked against known milestones: General Hospital #16000 (July 13, 2026), Days #15000 (December 2, 2024), Young and the Restless #13000 (November 13, 2024) and Home and Away 8000 (March 27, 2023) all match. TVmaze lists the Bold and the Beautiful’s 9000th episode four days earlier than CBS’s April 18, 2023 celebration, so its count may be off by a few.
  2. Fan-run episode wikis (Fandom), each with one page per numbered episode: Coronation Street Wiki (Episode 11959, October 11, 2026), Emmerdale Wiki (Episode 10677, October 14, 2026), EastEnders Wiki (Episode 7417, October 14, 2026) and Hollyoaks Wiki (Episode 6784, October 14, 2026). These match Wikipedia’s infoboxes (Coronation Street 11,957; EastEnders 7,414) to within a few episodes.
  3. Wikipedia, “List of television programs by episode count” (last edited October 8, 2026), used to find candidates. Its figures for running shows are older than the ones above, and it also lists Barátok közt, Shortland Street, Pobol y Cwm, Familie and Un posto al sole. Un posto al sole: Wikipedia (episode 7,080 scheduled for November 27, 2026).
  4. Wikipedia, “General Hospital” (premiered April 1, 1963; 15,000th episode June 2022; 16,000th July 13, 2026, citing Variety); ABC7/ABC11, “‘General Hospital’ celebrates major milestone, Maurice Benard and cast reflect on show’s success” (July 10, 2026); Lower Bucks Times (July 11, 2026); video: ABC11, “Iconic ABC show ‘General Hospital’ celebrates 60th anniversary”.
  5. Wikipedia, “Guiding Light” (2,500 radio episodes; 15,762 CBS episodes from 1952 to 2009, simulcast on radio until 1956; 18,262 in total; also notes As the World Turns’ longer total airtime); Guinness World Records, “Longest running soap opera”; WTOC, “CBS’s ‘Guiding Light’ to broadcast its final episode” (September 18, 2009); video: CBS, “‘Guiding Light’ Farewell”.
  6. Wikipedia, “Days of Our Lives” (NBC November 8, 1965 to September 9, 2022; Peacock since September 12, 2022; 15,000th episode December 2, 2024); Soap Central, “Days of our Lives celebrated a milestone 15,000th episode with familiar Salem faces”; video: TODAY, “‘Days of Our Lives’ Stars Talk Building a ‘Family’ Over 60 Years”.
  7. Wikipedia, “As the World Turns” (13,858 episodes, April 2, 1956 to September 17, 2010) and “The Edge of Night” (7,420 episodes; CBS from April 2, 1956, ABC 1975–84; the first two serials to run 30 minutes from their premieres; As the World Turns went to an hour on December 1, 1975); CBS News, “As the World Turns airs final episode”. Only fan uploads of the show were found on YouTube, so this entry uses the film icon.
  8. Wikipedia, “The Young and the Restless” (CBS since March 26, 1973; 12,000th episode December 1, 2020; 13,000th November 13, 2024); video: CBS New York, “‘The Young and the Restless’ celebrates 50 years”.
  9. Wikipedia, “Coronation Street” (ITV since December 9, 1960; Guinness record 2010; 10,000th episode February 7, 2020); Prolific North, “Coronation Street reaches 10,000 episodes”; video: ITV News, “Coronation Street marks 10,000th episode with hour-long special”.
  10. Wikipedia, “One Life to Live” (11,136 episodes; ABC July 15, 1968 to January 13, 2012; The Online Network April 29 to August 19, 2013); Wikipedia, “The Online Network” (run by Prospect Park, which revived One Life to Live and All My Children). TheTVDB numbers the ABC finale #11105, which would make the total about ten higher than Wikipedia’s. This table uses Wikipedia’s figure. Only fan uploads were found on YouTube, so this entry uses the film icon.
  11. Wikipedia, “All My Children” (ABC 10,712 episodes, January 5, 1970 to September 23, 2011; The Online Network 43; total 10,755; the article’s text says 40 were produced online); video: Entertainment Weekly, “All My Children Reunion: Susan Lucci, Leven Rambin, Walt Willey, & More”.
  12. ITV News, “ITV soap Emmerdale marks 10,000th episode milestone” (May 22, 2024); Wikipedia, “Emmerdale” (first aired October 16, 1972; six episodes a week; ITV’s February 2025 announcement of half-hour weekday episodes from January 2026); video: Emmerdale (official channel), “Emmerdale Full Episode | Tuesday 13th October 2026”.
  13. Telex, “Lefutott az utolsó stáblista, 23 év után véget ért a Barátok közt” (July 17, 2021); Pénzcentrum, on the date of the final episode; Wikipedia, “Barátok közt” (10,456 episodes, premiered October 26, 1998); video: Telex, “A Barátok közt utolsó forgatási napjain jártunk”.
  14. Wikipedia, “Search for Tomorrow” (9,130 episodes; CBS 1951–82, NBC 1982–86), “Another World” (8,891; NBC May 4, 1964 to June 25, 1999) and “Love of Life” (7,315; CBS September 24, 1951 to February 1, 1980).
  15. Wikipedia, “Neighbours” (9,363 episodes; Seven 1985, Network 10 1986–2022, revival on Network 10 and Amazon Prime Video from September 18, 2023 to December 11, 2025); Wikipedia, “Episode 8000 (Home and Away)” and Mediaweek (March 27, 2023).
  16. Gute Zeiten, schlechte Zeiten: ms-aktuell.de episode guides (Folge 8627 on October 12 and Folge 8628 on October 13, 2026); prisma.de and kino.de on Folge 8000 (April 15, 2024); Wikipedia (RTL since May 11, 1992). Unter uns: ms-aktuell.de (Folge 7974, October 9, 2026); Wikipedia (RTL since November 28, 1994; 7,000th episode November 22, 2022); blue News, “RTL cancels the cult series Unter uns” (August 31, 2026; last episode due in March 2027).
  17. Shortland Street: TVmaze (Episode 8218, the last of 2025, on December 22, 2025) plus TheTVDB’s 2026 season listing (105 episodes through October 14, 2026), giving 8,323. Wikipedia’s infobox says 8,339; this table uses the episode-guide count. Premiered May 25, 1992 on TVNZ 2.
  18. Pobol y Cwm: Wikipedia (first aired October 16, 1974; 8,000th episode September 25, 2019; three episodes a week since November 2021); Cambrian News (8,000th episode). No reliable source for its current episode number was found.
  19. Familie: Wikipedia (VTM since December 30, 1991; season 35 ended at episode 7915 on June 26, 2026; season 36 started August 24, 2026). Goede tijden, slechte tijden: tvgids.nl, reviews of the 7,000th episode (December 2024); Wikipedia (RTL 4 since October 1, 1990). EastEnders: Wikipedia (BBC One since February 19, 1985).