How Long Was Everybody Loves Raymond On Air
Everybody Loves Raymond aired for 9 seasons and 210 episodes on CBS from September 13, 1996 to May 16, 2005, making its on-air duration approximately 8 years. The sitcom starred Ray Romano as Ray Barone, a sportswriter, and centered on his everyday life with wife Debra, parents Frank and Marie, and brother Robert. Its family-centered humor, grounded scenarios, and strong ensemble cast helped it achieve consistent ratings and cultural staying power. Below we break down its timeline, season structure, and how it compares to other long-running multi-cam sitcoms.
Season And Episode Count
The series aired for a total of 9 seasons, with episode counts varying by season as follows. Notably, Season 4 is the longest by episode count, and Season 8 is the shortest.
| Season | Episodes | First Air Date | Last Air Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 22 | September 13, 1996 | May 19, 1997 |
| 2 | 24 | September 15, 1997 | May 11, 1998 |
| 3 | 25 | September 21, 1998 | May 24, 1999 |
| 4 | 28 | October 4, 1999 | May 22, 2000 |
| 5 | 26 | October 2, 2000 | May 21, 2001 |
| 6 | 26 | September 24, 2001 | May 20, 2002 |
| 7 | 25 | September 23, 2002 | May 19, 2003 |
| 8 | 24 | September 22, 2003 | May 24, 2004 |
| 9 | 24 | September 20, 2004 | May 16, 2005 |
Total Episodes And Runtime
With 210 episodes across 9 seasons, Everybody Loves Raymond maintained a relatively consistent episode output for a network sitcom of its era. Average episode runtime ran about 22 minutes in syndication, though broadcast episodes including commercials were typically 30 minutes per slot. The show aired on CBS in the United States and benefited from strong lead-in support, particularly from early seasons of survivor and other top programming in its time slot.
Timeframe On Air
The series premiered on September 13, 1996, and aired its finale on May 16, 2005, spanning just over 8 broadcast years. It concluded near the end of the traditional network sitcom season in May, aligning with CBS’s scheduling decisions at the time. Throughout its run, the show retained much of its creative team and core cast, which helped sustain its tone and brand.
Comparison To Other Multi-Cam Sitcoms
Compared with other long-running multi-cam family sitcoms, Everybody Loves Raymond holds its own in both tenure and episode count. It produced more than 200 episodes, a threshold that supports syndication viability and long-term brand recognition.
- Friends: 236 episodes, ran approximately 10 years (1994–2004)
- Everybody Loves Raymond: 210 episodes, ran approximately 8 years (1996–2005)
- Family Matters: 215 episodes, ran approximately 9 years (1989–1998)
- The Middle: 253 episodes, ran approximately 9 years (2009–2018)
Syndication And Legacy
Following its broadcast run, Everybody Loves Raymond entered off-network syndication and has remained in wide rotation across cable and streaming platforms. Its broad domestic and international distribution has kept it in front of new audiences, and its commercially viable episode count makes it attractive to broadcasters seeking reliable, mid-length sitcom inventory. The combination of family-centric writing, consistent tone, and strong cast chemistry continues to underpin its long-term market value.
Frequently Asked Questions
- How many seasons did Everybody Loves Raymond have? It had 9 seasons.
- How many episodes were produced in total? 210 episodes across all seasons.
- When did the show start and end? It premiered September 13, 1996, and ended May 16, 2005.
- Was the show longer than other multi-cam sitcoms? It ran slightly shorter than Friends but produced a comparable number of episodes over a slightly shorter span.
- Is the show still syndicated? Yes, it remains in syndication and on multiple streaming services internationally.
Wrap-Up
Everybody Loves Raymond ran for 9 seasons and over 8 years, delivering 210 episodes of family-based sitcom comedy. Its durable format, reliable lead-in on CBS, and strong post-network life in syndication underscore why it remains a frequently referenced sitcom in discussions of long-running multi-cam series. For creators and analysts alike, its timeline and episode output represent a stable benchmark in multi-camera comedy.