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Doctor Who (1963)
694 episodes (1963-1989) 30/60m

Worth every bit of its lofty cult status, the Doctor is a Time Lord who periodically regenerates every time a new actor takes over the role - the most popular being Tom Baker (1974-81). Time and space are explored in the TARDIS, which is much more spacious inside than its outward appearance would suggest. Well scripted. New series from the 2000s listed separately.

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Time Tunnel
30 episodes (1966-1967) 60m

Budgetary restrictions saw this show spend most of its time in the past rather than expensive futures. A scientific experiment traps the heroes in a vortex that offers almost unlimited opportunities to stuff-up other societies. Star James Darren managed to travel into the future and show up as a nightclub crooner on a Star Trek holodeck. Only lasted one season, but gets plenty of re-runs.

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Planet of the Apes
14 episodes (1974) 60m

After a host of successful feature films, a series seemed somewhat excessive - even a little nonsensical. Roddy McDowell reprised his role as the compassionate ape who befriends two time-tripping astronauts in a primate-dominated future. The group stayed on the run for 14 episodes until the series was mercifully canned. In retrospect, however, not so bad.

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Quantum Leap
95 episodes (1989-1994) 60m

Sam Beckett (Scott Bakula) wanders through various near-past locations facing an array of moral dilemmas while occupying other people's bodies. Somewhat confusingly, Beckett appears as himself to the camera, but the characters around him see only the body he occupies & can't see his hologram sidekick at all. Good-natured fun that found enough of an audience to last five seasons.

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Sliders
88 episodes (1995-2000) 60m

Young genius Quinn Mallory inadvertently opens a time portal, which for the rest of the series takes him and his three companions to a host of parallel Earths. Production costs were kept to manageable levels by sticking to contemporary scenarios, thus avoiding the necessity for too many elaborate historical or futuristic sets. Nothing special, but eminently watchable.

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7 Days
66 episodes (1998-2001) 60m

The adventures of a "chrononaut" Frank Parker - a government agent who is frequently sent up to seven days back in time to fix things when they have gone haywire. Parker travels courtesy of an invention that was created using alien technology from the Roswell crash. Well-made series with a strong cult following, lasting just long enough to score some reruns.

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Odyssey 5
20 episodes (2002-2003) 60m

When the planet goes up in flames the crew of a NASA space shuttle are the only survivors. They encounter 'The Seeker', who has been trying to discover what is causing the destruction that has befallen the Earth and many other planets. He gives them a chance to project their consciousness back in time and change the past. The crew must also deal with memories of what is to come.

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Lost
121 episodes (2004-2010) 60m

Surprise hit that has spawned a host of imitators. A plane crashes on a remote Pacific island and, as it turns out, the 48 survivors are choc-full of deep dark secrets. The island itself seems to have a few secrets too, with a mysterious impenetrable chamber possibly the cause. Time travel elements started to emerge in Season 3, as sci-fi content was also being jacked up.