Austin City Limits poster

Austin City Limits

"Great music. No limits."

TV Show TV-PG 1975 54m/ep 6.2 /10 Returning
PBS A PBS Original
Created by Bill Arhos

Austin City Limits started as a simple idea: put musicians on a stage and let them play, then film it for television. Over the years it grew into a steady platform where established stars and adventurous newcomers perform full sets, often in front of a live audience. Episodes tend to focus on the... Read more

Where to Watch "Austin City Limits"

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Streaming availability last verified: February 01, 2026

About Austin City Limits

Austin City Limits started as a simple idea: put musicians on a stage and let them play, then film it for television. Over the years it grew into a steady platform where established stars and adventurous newcomers perform full sets, often in front of a live audience. Episodes tend to focus on the music itself, giving artists room to stretch out beyond radio singles. The series highlights a wide array of styles, from country and rock to blues, folk, and more experimental sounds, keeping each episode centered on performance instead of spectacle.

Premiered in 1975, Austin City Limits was created by Bill Arhos. It was conceived as a televised showcase for live musical performances and developed into a long-running series that continued to feature diverse artists across many seasons.

Across decades of broadcasts the show has received industry recognition for its archival importance and consistent production values. Rather than listing specific trophies, its longevity and reputation have led to institutional acknowledgments, retrospective honors, and respect within the music and television communities.

As the longest-running music series in American television history, Austin City Limits helped normalize televised concert sets and preserved performances that might otherwise have been lost. Its episodes are often cited by fans, musicians, and researchers as a valuable record of changing musical tastes, and clips from the show circulate widely online and in music documentaries.

Audience response is steady, with a modest average rating reflecting a core fanbase that appreciates full-length performances. Critics frequently note the program’s emphasis on musicianship, authenticity, and variety. Themes across episodes include artistic craft, roots and tradition, collaboration, and the way live performance reveals different sides of well-known songs.

Details

Release Date
January 01, 1975
Episode Length
54m
Rating
TV-PG
User Ratings
18 votes
Type
TV Series
Seasons
48
Episodes
558
Network
PBS
Status
Returning Series
Genres
Documentary
Country
United States
Studio
KLRU Austin
External Links
View on IMDB

Seasons (48 seasons, 558 episodes)

S1

Season 1

14 episodes - 1975

S2

Season 2

10 episodes

S3

Season 3

13 episodes

S4

Season 4

13 episodes

S5

Season 5

13 episodes

S6

Season 6

13 episodes

S7

Season 7

13 episodes

S8

Season 8

13 episodes

S9

Season 9

13 episodes - 1984

S10

Season 10

14 episodes

S11

Season 11

1 episodes - 1986

S12

Season 12

13 episodes

S14

Season 14

14 episodes

S15

Season 15

1 episodes - 1990

S17

Season 17

1 episodes - 1992

S18

Season 18

1 episodes - 1993

S20

Season 20

1 episodes - 1995

S21

Season 21

12 episodes - 1996

S22

Season 22

13 episodes - 1997

S23

Season 23

12 episodes - 1998

S24

Season 24

12 episodes - 1999

S25

Season 25

15 episodes - 2000

S26

Season 26

13 episodes - 2000

S27

Season 27

13 episodes - 2001

S28

Season 28

4 episodes - 2002

S29

Season 29

13 episodes - 2003

S30

Season 30

13 episodes - 2004

S31

Season 31

14 episodes - 2005

S32

Season 32

13 episodes - 2006

S33

Season 33

14 episodes - 2007

Season 34

Season 34

13 episodes - 2008

Season 35

Season 35

14 episodes - 2009

Season 36

Season 36

14 episodes - 2010

Season 37

Season 37

15 episodes - 2011

Season 38

Season 38

13 episodes - 2012

Season 39

Season 39

13 episodes - 2013

Season 40

Season 40

14 episodes - 2014

Season 41

Season 41

15 episodes - 2015

Season 42

Season 42

13 episodes - 2016

Season 43

Season 43

13 episodes - 2017

Season 44

Season 44

13 episodes - 2018

Season 45

Season 45

13 episodes - 2019

Season 46

Season 46

13 episodes - 2020

Season 47

Season 47

13 episodes - 2021

Season 48

Season 48

13 episodes - 2022

Season 49

Season 49

13 episodes - 2023

Season 50

Season 50

13 episodes - 2024

S51

Season 51

12 episodes - 2025

Frequently Asked Questions

Austin City Limits is not currently available to stream, rent, or buy online in the US. Check back later for updates.

Austin City Limits has 48 seasons with a total of 558 episodes.

With a rating of 6.2/10 from 18 viewers, Austin City Limits is considered decent by viewers and may be worth checking out.

Austin City Limits started as a simple idea: put musicians on a stage and let them play, then film it for television. Over the years it grew into a steady platform where established stars and adventurous newcomers perform full sets, often in front of a live audience. Episodes tend to focus on the...

Austin City Limits was created by Bill Arhos.

Austin City Limits was released on January 01, 1975.

Austin City Limits is a Documentary series.

Yes, Austin City Limits is now the longest-running music series in American television history. It debuted in 1975 and has produced 48 seasons and 558 episodes.

The series showcases popular music legends and innovators from every genre, so you'll see performers from rock, country, blues, jazz, pop, folk, and beyond. Episodes tend to focus on artists who have had a significant impact or who are breaking new ground.

Austin City Limits is named for Austin, Texas, and the series is produced and filmed there. The city has been central to the show's identity since it began.

Episodes generally present performance-focused sets featuring one or more artists, framed within a documentary-style music series. The emphasis is on live music and artist-driven performances rather than scripted storytelling.