Total Episode Count and Series Overview
The Perry Mason franchise consists of 271 original network television episodes produced for CBS between 1957 and 1966, plus 30 television movies broadcast on NBC between 1985 and 1995. In live+total viewership context, the series aired 30 episodes in its first season and maintained strong ratings through nine seasons, making it one of the most durable legal dramas in television history. This verified profile focuses on the original CBS run and the subsequent NBC TV movies, clarifying production counts and availability for researchers and viewers.
Original CBS Network Series (1957–1966)
Produced by Warner Bros. Television, the original Perry Mason series aired on CBS in color for its final seasons and in black-and-white for earlier years. The canon includes 271 episodes spanning nine seasons, with season-by-season episode counts documented in production archives.
Season-by-Season Breakdown
| Season | Episodes | Years | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 30 | 1957–1958 | Live-and-recorded; strong debut on CBS |
| 2 | 30 | 1958–1959 | |
| 3 | 30 | 1959–1960 | |
| 4 | 30 | 1960–1961 | |
| 5 | 30 | 1961–1962 | |
| 6 | 30 | 1962–1963 | |
| 7 | 30 | 1963–1964 | |
| 8 | 30 | 1964–1965 | |
| 9 | 11 | 1965–1966 | Final abbreviated season |
Totaling 271 episodes across these nine seasons, the series concluded its CBS run in 1966 amid shifting broadcast norms and the rise of network color programming.
NBC Television Movies (1985–1995)
After a long hiatus, Perry Mason returned as a series of network television movies on NBC. Produced by NBC Studios and filmed in color, these movies continued the character with Raymond Burr reprising his role in most installments. The cycle comprises 30 television movies released across a decade, concluding in 1995.
Television Movie Titles and Years
| Year | Movie Title | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 1985 | The Case of the Avenging Ace | First NBC TV movie |
| 1986 | The Case of the Shooting Star | |
| 1987 | The Case of the Tortured Terror | |
| 1988 | The Case of the Lady Who Lied | |
| 1989 | The Case of the All-Star Assassin | |
| 1990 | The Case of the Smiling, Proud Witch | |
| 1991 |
Together, these 30 TV movies expand the Perry Mason canon to 301 total screen stories (271 original episodes plus 30 TV movies), though the original series remains the core reference for viewers and researchers.
Availability and Viewing Context
Originally distributed by Warner Bros. Domestic Television Distribution for the series and by NBCUniversal for the TV movies, the episodes are frequently syndicated and streamed. Current availability on subscription platforms can affect access, but episode counts remain stable regardless of where titles are streamed. Researchers should note that syndicated packages sometimes edit episodes for time, which does not change the official production count.
Production Notes and Canon Considerations
Each episode in the CBS run was produced to a consistent episode quota, with script and production codes maintained in studio archives. The television movies were produced as standalone prestige events rather than a continuous season, and their inclusion in the broader franchise varies by database. For canonical completeness, most archivists separate the 271-episode original series from the 30 TV movies while acknowledging both as part of the overall Perry Mason television legacy.
Comparative Context
Compared with other contemporary legal dramas, the 271-episode scale of the original Perry Mason run is substantial, reflecting both its popularity and its role as a flagship CBS program. The 30 TV movie continuation demonstrates long-term brand durability, though production values and storytelling approaches differ between eras.
Key Figures at a Glance
| Category | Metric | Value | Source Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Original Series | Total Episodes | 271 | Studio Production Records |
| Original Series | Seasons | 9 | Network Logs |
| Television Movies | Total Movies | 30 | NBC Archives |
| Combined Output | Total Screen Stories | 301 | Aggregated Archives |
| Original Run | Years | 1957–1966 | Broadcast History |
| TV Movie Run | Years | 1995–1985 | Broadcast History |
Frequently Asked Questions
- Are there 271 or 300+ Perry Mason episodes? The original CBS series comprises 271 episodes; the NBC TV movies add 30, for a combined total of 301 screen stories.
- Did Perry Mason ever have a season with fewer than 30 episodes? Yes, Season 9 on CBS contained only 11 episodes, which reflects the series’ abbreviated final season.
- Are the TV movies considered canon? They are part of the broader franchise and feature the same lead character, but most archival references distinguish the 271-episode series from the 30 TV movies.
- Where can I verify these counts? Production codes, studio records, and broadcast schedules are documented in industry databases such as the American Film Institute (AFI) catalog and Warner Bros. archives.
Research and Verification Guidance
For authoritative confirmation, consult the AFI Catalog, Warner Bros. Television archives, and NBCUniversal distribution records. Peer-reviewed media history texts and verified studio production documentation provide additional corroboration for the 271-episode series count and the 30-movie television movie series.
Conclusion
To answer directly: 271 original episodes were produced for the CBS Perry Mason series (1957–1966), and 30 television movies were produced for NBC (1985–1995), yielding 301 total screen stories. These figures are consistent across studio records, industry databases, and long-running broadcast histories, making them reliable references for ongoing research and viewer guidance.