Debuts
Free for air
Domestic
- 1 January - The Shadow Man (1996) (ZDF)
- 14 January - Der Bulle von Tölz (1996–2009) (Sat.1)
- 12 March - Alarm für Cobra 11 – Die Autobahnpolizei (1996–present) (RTL)
- 20 April - Die Wochenshow (1996–2002) (Sat.1)
International
- 14 June -
Keeping Up Appearances (1990–1995) (ZDF) - 17 August -
Friends (1994–2004) (Sat. 1) - 8 September - Barney & Friends (1992–2010) (Super RTL)
- /
DragonFlyz (1996–1997) (ProSieben) - Caroline in the City (1995–1999) (Unknown)
Cable
International
- November - The Ren & Stimpy Show (1991-1996) (Nickelodeon)
American Forces Network
- The Lion King's Timon & Pumbaa (1995-1999)
BFBS
- 18 January - The Thin Blue Line (1995-1996)
- 21 January - The Beatles Anthology (1995)
- 22 January - Black Hearts in Battersea (1995-1996)
- 31 January - The Demon Headmaster (1996-1998)
- 2 February - Pride and Prejudice (1995)
- 17 April - /
The Genie From Down Under (1996-1998) - 13 June - Dennis the Menace (1996-1998)
- 17 June - Agent Z and the Penguin from Mars (1996)
- 17 June - Madson (1996)
- 23 July - Bimble's Bucket (1996-1998)
- 26 July - The Big Bang (1996-2004)
- 21 October - / Romuald the Reindeer (1996)