While it is impossible to determine objectively the greatest television show of all time, it is possible to list television shows considered the greatest ever by a sizeable populace of the TV-watching community or, more commonly, by critics. The criterion for inclusion in this article is that the television show is considered the "greatest" in a quantitative survey – be it a critics' poll, popular poll or number of awards. For a list of longest running television series, please see the corresponding article.
In particular genres
Animation * The Simpsons was voted the best television show of the 20th Century by TIME magazine and has won more Emmys than any other animated television show. * Neon Genesis Evangelion was voted the greatest anime of all time in a reader poll by Newtype USA and in the Japan Media Arts Festival. * Gundam was found to be the best anime of all time in a survey conducted by the television network Animax. * Sazae-san is the longest running animated series of all time.
Comedy *The Phil Silvers Show was voted the best sitcom by Radio Times Guide to TV Comedy in 2003. * Frasier was named by UK's Channel 4 as the best sitcom of all-time by other comedians. * Last of the Summer Wine is the longest running comedy series of all time.
Drama * Guiding Light is the longest running drama series of all time.
Educational * Blue Peter is the longest running educational show of all time.
Game show * The Price is Right was voted best game show ever by TV Guide.
Science fiction
* Star Trek was deemed the greatest cult television program of all time by TV Guide magazine on a list of the 50 Greatest Cult Television Shows. * Doctor Who is the longest running science fiction series of all time.
In particular countries
Australia * The Graham Kennedy Show was voted the greatest Australian television show in Channel 9's 50 Years/50 Shows special. * Four Corners is the longest running television series in Australia.
United Kingdom * Fawlty Towers was first in a 2000 list of the 100 Greatest British Television Programmes drawn up by the British Film Institute. * Only Fools and Horses was voted Britain's Best Sitcom
United States * Seinfeld was named the greatest television show of all time when it topped TV Guide's 50 Greatest TV Shows of All Time in 2002. * Cheers and ER both received 117 Emmy award nominations during their runs, more than any other show. * I Love Lucy is the only show to be inducted into the United States Television Hall of Fame.