How many seasons of Frontline are there?

Frontline has aired 45 seasons so far.

How many episodes of Frontline are there?

There are 852 episodes of Frontline across 45 seasons.

Who created Frontline?

Frontline was created by David Fanning.

What is Frontline's IMDb rating?

Frontline holds an IMDb rating of 8.6/10 from 2,462 votes.

Documentary

When Does Frontline Season 45 Come Out? Is It Renewed?

Frontline Season 45 doesn't have an official release date yet. Based on the roughly 12-month gap between previous seasons, expect it around February 2027.

IMDb

8.6/10

Seasons

Episodes

852

Diagnostics

Network: PBS
Genres: Documentary, News
First aired: 1983-01-17
Last aired: 2026-05-26
Runtime: 55 min
Rated: TV-PG

Awards Nominated for 2 BAFTA 126 wins & 195 nominations total

Predictive Logic Analysis

Frontline is not a typical scripted series where network math about ratings and demos decides its fate. It is PBS's flagship investigative journalism unit, backed by a mix of public funding, CPB support, and major foundation grants. After 45 seasons and 852 episodes, it operates more like a public institution than a TV show. The renewal question is almost moot in the traditional sense — it continues because it is structurally embedded in PBS's identity and funding model, not because an executive greenlights another season each year.

The episode-rating data showing a season average of 2/10 versus 3/10 the prior season looks alarming at first glance, but that figure reflects IMDb user ratings on a documentary series with a small and inconsistent rating base, not Nielsen numbers or any metric PBS uses to make continuation decisions. The IMDb overall score of 8.6 from over 2,400 votes tells a more accurate story about audience regard for the series. Trakt active watchers at 1,370 with steady momentum and a confirmed next episode airing May 26, 2026 both confirm the show is actively in production and airing without interruption. Nothing in the available data points toward any threat to its continuation.

What is Frontline about?

Frontline stands as one of public television's most enduring and influential documentary series, having spent over four decades establishing itself as the gold standard for investigative journalism and long-form documentary storytelling on American television. The series presents meticulously researched public-affairs documentaries that venture into territories most conventional news programming cannot reach—from the machinations of political power and corporate corruption to intimate portraits of individuals caught in the currents of history. What drives viewers to tune in episode after episode is the promise of genuine discovery: Frontline doesn't just report on complex issues, it burrows into them, deploying cinematic techniques and rigorous reporting to illuminate stories that demand to be understood rather than simply consumed.

The show's distinctive power lies in its commitment to depth over speed and narrative complexity over easy answers. Under the stewardship of creator David Fanning and anchored by Will Lyman's measured narration, Frontline has cultivated a visual and editorial style that grants even controversial or opaque subjects a kind of gravitas and accessibility. Each hour-long installment functions as a complete investigation, often following reporting that took months or years to complete. The series distinguishes itself by pursuing stories that others won't touch and asking questions that institutions prefer remain unasked, all while maintaining the kind of journalistic rigor and fairness that commands respect across ideological divides.

With an IMDb rating of 8.6 out of 10, Frontline has earned both critical acclaim and a devoted audience that understands the series as essential viewing. The documentary has become synonymous with accountability journalism, winning virtually every major award in broadcasting and documentary filmmaking. Its cultural footprint extends well beyond the television set—Frontline documentaries frequently spark policy discussions, fuel legislative action, and shape public understanding of everything from healthcare systems to geopolitical conflicts. In an era of fragmenting media attention and declining trust in institutions, Frontline occupies a rare position as a source of authoritative, independent investigation that viewers across the spectrum regard as trustworthy and necessary.

Created by David Fanning

Themes

investigative journalism

Is Frontline renewed or cancelled?

Working toward renewal

high

Active production with a confirmed next episode date of May 26, 2026

high

45 seasons of continuous operation since 1983 — institutionally embedded in PBS

high

PBS public funding and foundation grant model insulates the show from typical ratings-based cancellation risk

medium

Strong overall IMDb rating of 8.6 reflecting long-term audience regard

medium

126 awards wins and 195 total nominations including BAFTA nominations — sustained critical recognition

low

Trakt active watcher count steady at 1,370 — modest but stable engaged audience

Working against it

low

Season 45 per-episode IMDb ratings averaging 2/10, down from 3/10 last season

Frontline Season 45 Release Date

Season 45 is currently airing, with the next episode scheduled for May 26, 2026. Frontline operates on a rolling production model tied to investigative reporting cycles rather than a traditional broadcast calendar, so new episodes appear throughout the year. Season 46 will almost certainly begin airing in fall 2026, likely September or October, consistent with PBS's typical programming schedule. There is no reason to expect a gap or delay.