What is The Ed Sullivan Show about?

The Ed Sullivan Show is an American TV variety show that originally ran on CBS from Sunday June 20, 1948 to Sunday June 6, 1971, and was hosted by New York entertainment columnist Ed Sullivan. It was replaced in September 1971 by the CBS Sunday Night Movie, which ran only one season and was event...

The Ed Sullivan Show

Name: The Ed Sullivan Show
Genre: Comedy, Talk
Released: 1948-06-20
Rating: 6.8
Cast: Ed Sullivan

TV Show NR 1948 1h/ep 6.8 /10 Ended

A CBS Original

Where to Watch "The Ed Sullivan Show"

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Streaming availability last verified: January 17, 2026

About The Ed Sullivan Show

On CBS, The Ed Sullivan Show began in 1948 as a weekly mix of comedy, music, and talk hosted by Ed Sullivan, a New York entertainment columnist. The program became a trusted showcase for performers of all kinds, from established stars to new acts testing material before a national audience. Sullivan kept a calm, conversational presence that let the performances take center stage and created a sense of shared occasion each Sunday night. The series aired from June 20, 1948 to June 6, 1971, and its legacy lingered beyond its end. In September 1971 CBS replaced it with the CBS Sunday Night Movie, which ran for one season and then moved on. Its influence lingered across fashion and film too.

Production and release: The Ed Sullivan Show aired on CBS starting in 1948 as a weekly variety program with Ed Sullivan as host. It was produced in house by CBS Television, becoming a durable platform for music, comedy and talk.

Awards: The Ed Sullivan Show earned Primetime Emmy nominations across its run, underscoring its significance in the television landscape. The nominations highlighted the program as a trusted showcase for variety acts and a staple of weekly viewing. Such recognition helped legitimize televised variety as a lasting genre for audiences everywhere.

Cultural impact: By placing acts from music to comedy into millions of homes, the show helped define the modern variety hour and became a touchstone of American pop culture. In 2002 TV Guide ranked it number 15 on its list of the 50 Greatest TV Shows of All Time.

Reception and themes: Critics saw the Ed Sullivan Show as a reliable weekly ritual that balanced entertainment with broad appeal. Its ongoing success reflected themes of accessibility, audience participation, and the power of a steady host to anchor a night of diverse performances. That approach resonates with modern variety shows.

Details

Release Date: June 20, 1948
Episode Length: 1h
Rating: NR
User Ratings: 22 votes
Type: TV Series
Seasons: 24
Episodes: 1068
Network: CBS
Status: Ended
Genres: Comedy, Talk
Country: United States
External Links: View on IMDB

Cast

Ed Sullivan

Self - Host

Seasons (24 seasons, 1068 episodes)

Season 1

12 episodes - 1948

Season 2

53 episodes - 1948

Season 3

52 episodes - 1949

Season 4

51 episodes - 1950

Season 5

53 episodes - 1951

Season 6

52 episodes - 1952

Season 7

51 episodes - 1953

Season 8

54 episodes - 1954

Season 9

52 episodes - 1955

S10

Season 10

51 episodes - 1956

S11

Season 11

50 episodes - 1957

S12

Season 12

52 episodes - 1958

S13

Season 13

49 episodes - 1959

S14

Season 14

40 episodes - 1960

S15

Season 15

46 episodes - 1961

S16

Season 16

42 episodes - 1962

Season 17

42 episodes - 1963

S18

Season 18

40 episodes - 1964

Season 19

43 episodes - 1965

S20

Season 20

42 episodes - 1966

S21

Season 21

39 episodes - 1967

S22

Season 22

40 episodes - 1968

S23

Season 23

36 episodes - 1969

S24

Season 24

26 episodes - 1970

Frequently Asked Questions

The Ed Sullivan Show is not currently available to stream, rent, or buy online in the US. Check back later for updates.

The Ed Sullivan Show has 24 seasons with a total of 1068 episodes.

With a rating of 6.8/10 from 22 viewers, The Ed Sullivan Show is considered decent by viewers and may be worth checking out.

The Ed Sullivan Show stars Ed Sullivan.

The Ed Sullivan Show was released on June 20, 1948.

The Ed Sullivan Show is a Comedy and Talk series.

No. The Ed Sullivan Show ended after 24 seasons in 1971, and it was replaced by the CBS Sunday Night Movie.

There are 1,068 episodes in total across its 24-season run. The show aired on CBS from 1948 to 1971.

Ed Sullivan hosted the show. He served as the emcee, introducing a wide range of guests and keeping the program running smoothly.

In 2002, TV Guide ranked The Ed Sullivan Show at number 15 on its list of the 50 Greatest TV Shows of All Time. That ranking underscores its status as a landmark in American television history.