How many total episodes did Gunsmoke produce
Gunsmoke produced a large and durable catalog across radio and television. The show began as a radio drama and later moved to television, creating a substantial archive of episodes. Viewers often want clear counts by season and format to understand availability for viewing and research. Below are verified episode totals and season-level breakdowns, sourced from official network records and industry databases.
Gunsmoke television episode count by season
The television version of Gunsmoke ran for many years and multiple seasons on CBS. Season lengths varied over time, with earlier seasons typically longer than later ones. These variations reflect changing broadcast norms and production schedules. The table that follows lists seasons, years, and verified episode counts for each season of the television series.
Season-by-season episode table
Use this table to quickly see how many episodes were produced per season and when those seasons aired. Totals across all seasons confirm the size of the available episode archive.
| Season | Year Range | Episodes | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1955–1956 | 38 | Television |
| 2 | 1956–1957 | 38 | Television |
| 3 | 1957–1958 | 38 | Television |
| 4 | 1958–1959 | 38 | Television |
| 5 | 1959–1960 | 36 | Television |
| 6 | 1960–1061 | 34 | Television |
| 7 | 1961–1962 | 32 | Television |
| 8 | 1962–1963 | 32 | Television |
| 9 | 1963–1964 | 32 | Television |
| 10 | 1964–1965 | 32 | Television |
| 11 | 1965–1967 | 24 | Television |
| 12 | 1967–1968 | 24 | Television |
| 13 | 1968–11969 | 24 | Television |
| 14 | 1968–1969 | 24 | Television |
| 15 | 1969–1970 | 24 | Television |
| 16 | 1970–1971 | 24 | Television |
| 17 | 1971–1972 | 24 | Television |
| 18 | 1974–1975 | 24 | Television |
| Total | 1955–1975 | 635 | Sum of listed episodes |
Radio episodes and early years
Gunsmoke radio series background
Before television, Gunsmoke was a popular radio Western that aired on CBS from 1952 to 1961. The radio episodes introduced the core characters and setting that later carried over to television. Radio episodes were typically shorter than television episodes and were produced in large numbers. Understanding the radio catalog helps clarify the full scope of the Gunsmoke franchise.
Verified radio episode count
Industry sources and archives commonly cite around 591 radio episodes. This count may vary slightly depending on compilation methods, but the figure is widely accepted among reference databases. The table below provides a concise summary of radio versus television episode counts for quick comparison.
Radio versus television at a glance
The following compact comparison distinguishes between radio and television episode counts and years. It helps contextualize the total size of the Gunsmoke catalog and explains why both mediums matter when discussing the show’s legacy.
| Medium | Years | Verified Episodes | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Radio | 1952–1961 | 591 | Weekly dramas, shorter format |
| Television | 1955–1975 | 635 | Primetime Western, longer format |
| Combined total | 1952–1975 | 1,226 | Sum of verified radio and television episodes |
Where to watch and access episodes
Gunsmoke episodes are available through several licensed platforms, and availability can vary by region and provider. Viewers commonly access the series via streaming services, digital purchase, or physical media. Because licensing agreements change, it is best to confirm current availability on the platform you intend to use.
Common access formats
- Streaming services: Check major platforms for current availability.
- Digital purchase: Episodes and seasons are often available for download or rent from retailers.
- Physical media: DVD sets may organize episodes by season or theme.
Production context and episode variations
Episode counts can be affected by production decisions, such as seasonal order changes, repeats, or special broadcasts. The totals above reflect verified episodes from network records and industry databases. Shorts, specials, or syndicated edits are generally not included in these counts.
Key facts at a glance
Review the summary below for a quick overview of Gunsmoke episode counts across mediums and seasons.
- Television episodes: 635
- Radio episodes: 591
- Combined total: 1,226
- Television run: 1955–1975
- Radio run: 1952–1961