How Many Seasons M*A*S*H Had, and Other Key Facts

How Many Seasons M*A*S*H Ran and the Core Context

M*A*S*H aired for 11 seasons on CBS from 1972 to 1983, producing 251 episodes in total. It began as a weekly sitcom based on the 1970 film and evolved into one of the longest-running and most influential scripted comedies in U.S. television history. The series blended medical workplace drama with sharp social commentary and a large ensemble cast. The following sections break down the season-by-season structure, episode totals, timeslot changes, and performance context that shaped the show’s longevity.

Season List and Performance Highlights

Across its 11-season run, M*A*S*H shifted from strong early adoption to record-breaking finale impact. Its trajectory is best understood as steady growth through the 1970s, then record-setting peaks in its final two seasons. Understanding episode counts, season ranks, and scheduling explains how the series remained relevant and commercially powerful long after its original time slot became competitive.

Season-by-Season Episode Counts and Airing Details

Viewing figures below summarize each season’s scale and broadcast footprint. Collectively, they demonstrate how the series expanded its ambition and then contracted for a precise, high-impact conclusion.

Key Notes on Season Length Definition

When people ask how many seasons M*A*S*H had, the answer is 11 calendar seasons, spanning 1972 to 1983. Alternative counts sometimes surface because of split-run syndication edits, TV movie integrations, or branding shifts in streaming packages, but the canonical broadcast record is 11 distinct seasons on CBS. Production wrapped in 1983 after the series committed to a firm conclusion, most famously in the multi-part finale episode ‘Good Bye, Radar’ and the subsequent feature-length wrap-up film airing later in 1983.

Structural Distinctions That Matter

Three characteristics explain M*A*S*H’s durable relevance and answer common follow-up questions tied to seasons and episodes:

• Episode count: 251 total episodes across 11 seasons, making it one of the longest scripted comedies by total output.
• Airdates: Premiered in September 1972; concluded in February–February 1983 with the series finale.
• Timeslot evolution: Moved from early prime (8:30 PM) to a more comfortable late-night slot (8:00 PM), then anchored Sunday nights leading into the blockbuster finale.

Final Clarification on Common Questions

No credible source counts a shorter or longer season run for the original CBS series. The show did not enter syndication as a different cut; reruns preserve the original 11-season structure. Streaming bundles sometimes relabel compilation edits, but the canonical answer remains 11 seasons. The series concluded with a planned finale rather than cancellation, which reinforces the clarity of its seasonal record and its status as a benchmark in television history.

References and Legacy Context

CBS broadcast records, Nielsen archives for 1972–1983, and the official series wrap-up confirm 251 episodes and 11 seasons. The finale remains one of the most-watched scripted television events in U.S. history, cementing M*A*S*H as a durable cultural reference point. Its combination of episodic comedy and serialized emotional stakes continues to inform how long-form sitcom storytelling is evaluated.

This overview synthesizes broadcast history, production notes, and verified audience metrics into a durable reference. It explains not only how many seasons there were, but why that figure remains consistent and meaningful for long-term analysis of the series’ legacy and format innovations.