Since the first teen drama debuted in 1990, there’s only been one period of time without an active teen drama.
Active refers to: is the show current? It can be on hiatus. It just can’t be canceled.
In 1990, Beverly Hills 90210 debuted.
In 1998, while it was still on the air, Dawson’s Creek premiered.
But when Dawson’s Creek ended in spring of 2003, BH90210 had ended three years prior and there wasn’t any other teen drama on television.
Until…
A few months later The O.C. started in the late summer and very shortly after that, One Tree Hill began.
The O.C. ended in 2007 but, as we very well know, One Tree Hill has been active all this time.
And if this turns out to be the last season of OTH, there’s Gossip Girl (started in 2007) and 90210 (2008).
Will there be another period when there’s no teen drama left on the air? I hope not but time will tell!