1. Guiness World Record:
* "The Guiding Light" holds the Guinness World Record for the longest-running American television drama series. It aired from 1952 to 2009, with a total of 18,262 episodes.
2. Longest-Running Scripted Series:
* "General Hospital" is the longest-running American scripted television series still in production. It premiered in 1963 and has been airing consistently ever since.
3. Longest-Running Non-Scripted Series:
* "Meet the Press" is the longest-running television program in the United States, regardless of format. It first aired in 1945 and continues to this day.
4. Longest-Running Television Program in the World:
* "The World at One" is a radio program that has aired on BBC Radio 4 since 1948. While it's not technically a television program, it's worth mentioning for its longevity.
Ultimately, the answer to your question depends on the criteria used for defining "longest-running". Regardless, the examples above highlight the incredible longevity of some of the most iconic television programs in history.