Debuts
ARD
- 7 January – Der Sonne entgegen (1985)
- 14 January – Gespenstergeschichten (1985)
- 31 January – Känguru (1985–1986)
- 22 March – ...Erbin sein - dagegen sehr (1985)
- 3 April – Schöne Ferien (1985)
- 25 April – Zentrale Bangkok (1985)
- 27 June – Ein Mann macht klar Schiff (1985–1986)
- July – War was, Rickie? (1985)
- 18 September – Levin und Gutman (1985)
- 11 October –
- Ich, Christian Hahn (1985–1986)
- Das Rätsel der Sandbank (1985)
- 15 November – Fritz Golgowsky (1985–1986)
- 8 December – Lindenstraße (1985–2020)
ZDF
- 23 January – Ein Heim für Tiere (1985–1992)
- 19 February – Der eiserne Weg (1985)
- 28 April – Glücklich geschieden (1985)
- 30 August – Alte Gauner (1985)
- 1 September – Via Mala (1985)
- 12 September – Die Nervensäge (1985–1986)
- 22 October – The Black Forest Clinic (1985–1989)
- 5 December – Oliver Maass (1985)
DFF
- 4 January – Die Leute von Züderow (1985)
- 27 January – Bei Hausers zu Hause (1985)
- 8 March – Johann Sebastian Bach (1985)
- 17 May – Zahn um Zahn (1985–1988)
- 10 November – Der Sohn des Schützen (1985)
International
- 2 January -
The Love Boat (1977–1986) (Sat.1) - 29 May - Hill Street Blues (1981–1987) (ZDF)
- 27 August -
Danger Mouse (1981–1992) (ZDF)
BFBS
- 19 May - Bertha (1985–1986)
- T-Bag (1985–1992)
- Who Sir? Me Sir? (1985)
/
Dogtanian and the Three Muskehounds (1981–1982)- Dodger, Bonzo and the Rest (1985–1986)
- Puddle Lane (1985–1989)
- Mop and Smiff (1985)
- Tales from Fat Tulip's Garden (1985)
- Dempsey and Makepeace (1985–1986)
- Gems (1985–1988)
- EastEnders (1985–present)