<P> Bonanza is an NBC television western series that ran from 1959 to 1973 . Lasting 14 seasons and 431 episodes , Bonanza is NBC 's longest - running western , and ranks overall as the second - longest - running western series on U.S. network television ( behind CBS 's Gunsmoke ) , and within the top 10 longest - running , live - action American series . The show continues to air in syndication . The show is set in the 1860s and it centers on the wealthy Cartwright family that live in the vicinity of Virginia City , Nevada , bordering Lake Tahoe . The series initially starred Lorne Greene , Pernell Roberts , Dan Blocker , and Michael Landon and later featured ( at various times ) Guy Williams , David Canary , Mitch Vogel , and Tim Matheson . The show is known for presenting pressing moral dilemmas . </P>
<P> Bonanza is an NBC television western series that ran from 1959 to 1973 . Lasting 14 seasons and 431 episodes , Bonanza is NBC 's longest - running western , and ranks overall as the second - longest - running western series on U.S. network television ( behind CBS 's Gunsmoke ) , and within the top 10 longest - running , live - action American series . The show continues to air in syndication . The show is set in the 1860s and it centers on the wealthy Cartwright family that live in the vicinity of Virginia City , Nevada , bordering Lake Tahoe . The series initially starred Lorne Greene , Pernell Roberts , Dan Blocker , and Michael Landon and later featured ( at various times ) Guy Williams , David Canary , Mitch Vogel , and Tim Matheson . The show is known for presenting pressing moral dilemmas . </P>
how long did the tv series bonanza run
how long did the tv series bonanza run
14 seasons
14 seasons