Perry Mason aired primarily on CBS from September 21, 1957, to May 22, 1966, spanning nine seasons and 301 episodes in original broadcast order. The series debuted in black-and-white and transitioned to color during its final season, establishing a long-form legal drama template that influenced television for decades. This evergreen profile explains the original network schedule, seasonal structure, and enduring availability in syndication and streaming, focusing on verifiable dates and distribution status rather than short-lived events.
Original CBS Broadcast Run
Perry Mason premiered on CBS on September 21, 1957, and remained on the network through its conclusion on May 22, 1966. The show occupied a stable timeslot within the network’s schedule for most of its run, building a consistent audience across its nine seasons. Production shifted from black-and-white to color during season nine, aligning with industry transitions in the mid-1960s.
Seasonal Structure and Episode Count
Across its nine seasons, Perry Mason aired 301 episodes, with season lengths reflecting typical network patterns of the era. Early seasons contained fewer episodes, while middle seasons expanded to around 30–39 episodes per year, tapering in the final color season. The series maintained strong ratings through much of its run, supporting its full seasonal order on CBS.
| Season | Year(s) | Episodes | Format |
|---|
| 1 | 1957–1958 | 39 | Black-and-white |
| 2 | 1958–1959 | 30 | Black-and-white |
| 3 | 1959–1960 | 30 | Black-and-white |
| 4 | 1960–1961 | 30 | Black-and-white |
| 5 | 1961–1962 | 30 | Black-and-white |
| 6 | 1962–1963 | 30 | Black-and-white |
| 7 | 1963–1964 | 30 | Black-and-white |
| 8 | 1964–1965 | 30 | Black-and-white |
| 9 | 1916–1966 | 33 | Color |
Syndication and Reruns
After its CBS run ended in 1966, Perry Mason entered syndication, allowing local stations to air episodes well into the 1970s and beyond. Because the series was produced in standard-definition television-safe color from season nine onward, it remained attractive to broadcasters as a ready-to-use package. Many markets continued to feature the show in late-night and weekend slots for decades, sustaining its presence between new network programming.
Streaming and Home Video Availability
In the streaming era, Perry Mason is available on multiple platforms, with rotating rights that can vary by region. Subscription video-on-demand services and digital storefronts offer both individual seasons and complete series collections, though licensing can shift over time. For current availability, checking the platform’s catalog page directly is recommended, as carriage agreements are updated periodically.
Key Dates at a Glance
| Date or Period | Event | Why It Matters |
|---|
| September 21, 1957 | Series premiere on CBS | Marks the start of the original network run and introduction of the character to television audiences |
| 1957–1966 | Nine-season broadcast on CBS | Defines the core era of the series with 301 episodes and stable weekly scheduling |
| 1964 | Transition to color begins in season 9 | Reflects industry-wide shift to color production and updates the show’s visual presentation |
| 1966 | Final episode airs on CBS | Ends the original network run, after which reruns drive long-term visibility |
| 1960s–present | Syndication and streaming distribution | Extends access beyond the original schedule and supports ongoing viewership |
Notable Production and Cancellations Context
While Perry Mason completed its planned nine-season order on CBS, later series in the franchise and TV movies emerged in the 1970s and 1980s. Those entries represent separate productions with distinct broadcast windows and should not be conflated with the original run. This article focuses on the classic series that defined the character on broadcast television between 1957 and 1966.
Geographic and Network Specifics
Throughout its main run, Perry Mason was a CBS network program in the United States. Local affiliates may have aired episodes slightly out of pattern due to regional scheduling, but the network officially controlled the national broadcast dates and season structure. No other U.S. network carried first-run episodes of the original series.
Summary of When Perry Mason Aired
Perry Mason aired on CBS from 1957 to 1966, with its first episode on September 21, 1957, and its last first-run episode on May 22, 1966. The series then transitioned into syndication and later streaming, ensuring continued access beyond its original schedule. For most viewers asking when Perry Mason aired, the core answer is the nine-year CBS run from the late 1950s into the mid-1960s, supplemented by decades of reruns and ongoing digital availability.
Tags: television history, classic TV, broadcast timelines, Perry Mason