1996 in American television

none April 2020 October 2020 1996 In American television in 1996, notable events included television show debuts, finales, cancellations, and channel initiations, closures and rebrandings, as well as information about controversies and disputes. Notable events January Date Event20Fox introduces its FoxTrax "glowing puck" during its telecast of the 46th National Hockey League All-Star Game.28Chris Isaak and Brooke Shields make guest appearances on a post-Super Bowl episode of Friends on NBC. February Date Event8–9Peter Argyropolous and Deborah Cohen win a combined total of $146,529 cash prizes from two episodes (including the $10,000 wedge played with the Double Play token and two Ford Mustangs), making the couple the biggest winner in the history of Wheel of Fortune; They remain the biggest winners for a team, and will hold the record until Michelle Lowenstein wins $1,026,080 on October 14, 2008.17Fred Rogers makes a guest appearance on the CBS Western drama Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman. This is notably, the only time that Rogers portrayed a fictional character on television.28Paxson Communications completes their $40 million purchase of ABC affiliate WAKC-TV in Akron, Ohio, from ValueVision.March 1, 1996 Briefs: ValueVision International Inc. D3 Star Tribune Minneapolis, Minnesota https://www.newspapers.com/clip/66028314/briefs-valuevision-international-inc/ live December 25, 2020 https://web.archive.org/web/20220121205135/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/66028314/briefs-valuevision-international-inc/ January 21, 2022 Newspapers.com Hours after the sale closed, Paxson president Dean Goodman arrives at WAKC-TV's studios and tells the staff, "news ceases at this moment", firing the entire news department and all station management.Heldenfels R.D. Hoffman Steve Quinn Jim Hoiles Robert February 29, 1996 WAKC Kills News: New owner pulls plug, fires at least 15, decision on resuming show is months away, ABC affiliation under review A1 Akron Beacon Journal Akron, Ohio https://infoweb.newsbank.com/apps/news/openurl?ctx_ver=z39.88-2004&rft_id=info%3Asid/infoweb.newsbank.com&svc_dat=NewsBank&req_dat=1082885C71926A79&rft_val_format=info%3Aofi/fmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Actx&rft_dat=document_id%3Anews%252F0EB6BE34D921BEDF subscription February 3, 2022 NewsBank This makes Akron (a part of the larger Cleveland–Akron–Canton television market) the largest city in the United States without a commercial television newscast.March 30, 2001 Our opinion: And now, the news (Editorial) A14 Akron Beacon Journal Akron, Ohio https://www.newspapers.com/clip/66228983/our-opinion-and-now-the-news/ live December 30, 2020 https://web.archive.org/web/20220121205153/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/66228983/our-opinion-and-now-the-news/ January 21, 2022 Newspapers.com29ABC affiliate KBAK-TV and CBS affiliate KERO-TV swap affiliations in Bakersfield. March Date Event4DISH Network, a Direct Broadcast Satellite service, begins as a service of EchoStar.8The Joy of Painting host Bob Ross makes his final television appearance as a guest in the pilot episode of the children's series The Adventures of Elmer & Friends. Premiering over a year after his death, the episode includes a final message of thanks from Ross to his fans and viewers and a musical tribute.The Adventures of Elmer & Friends, Episode 1, with Bob Ross: A Magical Musical31WrestleMania XII from the Arrowhead Pond of Anaheim in Anaheim, California is broadcast on pay-per-view. In the main event, Shawn Michaels defeats Bret Hart in a 60-minute Iron Man match to win the WWF Championship for the first time. April Date Event6The first ever Major League Soccer game is broadcast live on ESPN. The San Jose Clash hosted D.C. United at Spartan Stadium with San Jose winning on a goal by Eric Wynalda. May Date Event11The 1996 Kids' Choice Awards air on Nickelodeon, hosted by Whitney Houston and Rosie O'Donnell. Television winners included Home Improvement (for "Favorite TV Show"), Tim Allen (of Home Improvement for "Favorite TV Actor"), Tia and Tamera Mowry (of Sister, Sister for "Favorite TV Actress") and Rugrats (for "Favorite Cartoon").14Fox airs a television film that serves as the first attempt to revive Doctor Who following its suspension in 1989. It was intended as a backdoor pilot for a new American-produced Doctor Who TV series. It introduced Paul McGann as the Eighth Doctor in his only televised appearance as the character until "The Night of the Doctor" in 2013. Although a ratings success in the United Kingdom, the film did not fare well on American television and no series was commissioned. The series was later relaunched on the BBC in 2005. 16More than 12 million Americans watch the final episode of Murder, She Wrote on CBS, "Death By Demographics". Through its 12-year run, the series had become the longest-running American murder mystery drama.18Mystery Science Theater 3000 airs its final episode on Comedy Central. The final film to be featured is 1978's Laserblast. The series will eventually move to The Sci-Fi Channel, where it would run for three more seasons.20The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air concludes its original run after nearly six years. June Date Event1Major League Baseball broadcasts debut on Fox.3Zenith introduces the first HDTV-compatible front projection TV in the U.S.CBS affiliate WCPO-TV and ABC affiliate WKRC-TV, both in Cincinnati, Ohio, switch network affiliations.19CBS affiliate WRAL-TV in Raleigh, North Carolina is awarded the first experimental high-definition television license in the United States.23At the World Wrestling Federation's pay-per-view event King of the Ring, wrestler Stone Cold Steve Austin wins the King of the Ring tournament by defeating Jake Roberts. After the match, Austin makes a certain victory speech in what would famously become as the "Austin 3:16" catchphrase.30New York PBS member station WNYC-TV, owned by the city of New York, signs off for the final time; sold to a joint venture between Dow Jones & Co. and ITT Corp., it relaunches as commercial sports-oriented independent station WBIS-TV (while operating as a non-commercial educational station, WNYC-TV had been licensed with a commercial classification). July Date Event6When it becomes evident that Donna Love (played by Anna Stuart) will be next to die in a serial killer storyline on the NBC soap opera Another World, many fans start letter-writing campaigns to save the character; the NBC studios in New York City also report a great number of switchboard telephone calls regarding Stuart's imminent departure. Executive producer Jill Farren Phelps decides that Frankie Frame (Alice Barrett) will be killed off the show instead.New World Communications sells NBC affiliates KNSD-TV in San Diego, California, and WVTM-TV in Birmingham, Alabama, their lone remaining stations that didn't switch to Fox, to NBC's owned-and-operated division.7At the WCW produced pay-per-view event Bash at the Beach, Hulk Hogan turns heel for the first time in 15 years and announces the formation of the New World Order with Kevin Nash and Scott Hall.17News Corporation (the owners of 20th Century Fox and the FOX Television Network) announced that it would acquire New World in an all-stock transaction worth $2.48 billion. The purchase by News Corporation was finalized in early 1997, folding New World's ten Fox affiliates into the former's Fox Television Stations subsidiary and making all twelve stations affected by the 1994 agreement owned-and-operated stations of the network. August Date Event19NBC affiliate in Charleston, WCIV, and ABC affiliate WCBD-TV swap network affiliations. September Date Event7Paula Zahn is named a Saturday anchor of CBS Evening News.Fox Kids airs for the final time on St. Louis affiliate KNLC, which is dropped due to KNLC owner Larry Rice's decision on putting ministry messages instead of ads. KTVI picks up the program block the following Monday.8The 48th Primetime Emmy Awards are presented on ABC. WBRC-TV in Birmingham, Alabama, becomes a Fox-owned station, a year after Fox had acquired it and WGHP-TV in High Point, North Carolina. This ended WBRC-TV's 47 year affiliation with ABC; in turn, ABC links up with low-power station WBMA-LP (supplemented with two full-power satellites, WCFT-TV in Tuscaloosa and WJSU-TV in Anniston). Former Fox affiliate WTTO-TV becomes an independent before affiliating with The WB the next year, while former WTTO-TV satellite WNAL in Gadsden switches to CBS.13 The pilot episode for Everybody Loves Raymond is broadcast on CBS.15 USA Network ends its USA Cartoon Express block, expanding its newer USA Action Extreme Team block to weekdays.16Wheel of Fortune introduced a gameplay round called Jackpot which contestants can win an accumulated pot based on the value spun throughout the round. The round would remain intact until 2013.17The O. J. Simpson civil trial begins.30A revival of the game show Shop 'til You Drop premieres on the Family Channel along with a new game show called Shopping Spree. Both shows would last on the channel until August 14th 1998, the final day of the Family Channel branding. Shop would get revived in 2000 on PAX. October Date Event2Seven newscasters were dismissed by WCBS-TV (channel 2) in New York.6President Bill Clinton and Senator Bob Dole participate in the first 1996 presidential debate with Jim Lehrer of PBS moderating.Nagourney Adam 1996-10-06 Dole Concludes Debate Preparation by Asking Bush for Advice https://www.nytimes.com/1996/10/06/us/dole-concludes-debate-preparation-by-asking-bush-for-advice.html 2024-06-27 The New York Times en-US 0362-4331 7Nickelodeon adds an extra half-hour of programming, branded as "More Nickelodeon", on weekdays at 8:00pm Eastern/7:00pm Central. The "More Nickelodeon" block included new episodes of The Secret World of Alex Mack plus new series Hey Arnold!, KaBlam!, and The Wubbulous World of Dr. Seuss. For the next two weeks, viewers were encouraged to "Spot the Dot" using game pieces found at Blockbuster Video stores and in Nintendo Power magazine for a chance to win a Nintendo 64.9Vice President Al Gore and former HUD Secretary Jack Kemp participate in the 1996 vice presidential debate at Mahaffey Theater.Gray Jerry 1996-10-09 Gore and Kemp Practice Jabs for Tonight's Encounter https://www.nytimes.com/1996/10/09/us/gore-and-kemp-practice-jabs-for-tonight-s-encounter.html 2024-06-27 The New York Times en-US 0362-433110Turner Broadcasting System merged into Time Warner.Greg Kinnear hosts his final episode of NBC's Later. The show would then revolve a set of rotating guest hosts for the next three years. 16Clinton and Dole participate in the final presidential debate at the University of San Diego.Nagourney Adam 1996-10-16 Dole Accuses Clinton of Devaluing Presidency https://www.nytimes.com/1996/10/16/us/dole-accuses-clinton-of-devaluing-presidency.html 2024-06-27 The New York Times en-US 0362-433120–26Fox broadcasts its first ever World Series. The New York Yankees won their 23rd title (and first since 1978) against the Atlanta Braves in only six games.30WBKP in Calumet, Michigan signs on the air, giving the Upper Peninsula both its first full-time ABC affiliate (WLUC-TV had dropped its primary ABC affiliation the previous year in favor of its secondary NBC affiliation) and full-time affiliates of the "Big Three" networks. November Date Event2The final episode of the original Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles series, "Divide and Conquer" airs on CBS.4In tribute to the 30th anniversary of Star Trek: The Original Series, an episode of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine features Captain Benjamin Sisko and the crew travel back in time to prevent the assassination of Captain James T. Kirk of the USS Enterprise by a Klingon using a booby-trapped tribble. Its sister series Voyager produced a similar episode, "Flashback".The infamous "Pillman's got a gun" angle with Brian Pillman and his former tag-team partner Stone Cold Steve Austin airs on USA Network's Monday Night RAW.23Bob Hope's final television special, Bob Hope... Laughing with the Presidents, airs on NBC. December Date Event1The long-running 25 Days of Christmas event begins on The Family Channel.8Paramount Television and Viacom purchased a 50% stake in UPN from Chris-Craft and United Television for approximately $160 million. It made UPN a joint partnership between Chris-Craft and Viacom (and later a Viacom property as a whole) at this point.176 years after dropping the title, TBS resumes using the term Superstation.31ABC affiliate WAKC-TV in Akron, Ohio, disaffiliates from the network after 43 years and drops all remaining entertainment programming to carry Paxson Communications' inTV infomercial network. The station's studios had previously relocated from Akron to the Cleveland suburb of Warrensville Heights.Feran Tom November 14, 1996 Channel 23 will cancel affiliation with ABC-TV 11B The Plain Dealer Cleveland, Ohio https://infoweb.newsbank.com/apps/news/openurl?ctx_ver=z39.88-2004&rft_id=info%3Asid/infoweb.newsbank.com&svc_dat=NewsBank&req_dat=1082885C71926A79&rft_val_format=info%3Aofi/fmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Actx&rft_dat=document_id%3Anews%252F0F808D7D50AF1129 live subscription February 4, 2022 https://web.archive.org/web/20220204071924/https://infoweb.newsbank.com/apps/news/document-view?p=NewsBank&docref=news%2F0F808D7D50AF1129&f=basic February 4, 2022 NewsBankHeldenfels R.D. November 14, 1996 WAKC to change format, drop ABC shows: Infomercials, religious programs likely to replace network lineup at end of year. Florida firm's decision surprises Channel 23 manager, pleases Cleveland station D4 Akron Beacon Journal Akron, Ohio https://infoweb.newsbank.com/apps/news/openurl?ctx_ver=z39.88-2004&rft_id=info%3Asid/infoweb.newsbank.com&svc_dat=NewsBank&req_dat=1082885C71926A79&rft_val_format=info%3Aofi/fmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Actx&rft_dat=document_id%3Anews%252F0EB6BF5306AFF346 live subscription February 4, 2022 https://web.archive.org/web/20220204071919/https://infoweb.newsbank.com/apps/news/document-view?p=NewsBank&docref=news%2F0EB6BF5306AFF346&f=basic February 4, 2022 NewsBank Television programs Debuts Date Show NetworkJanuary 3 Matt WatersCBSJanuary 6 Campus CopsUSA NetworkJanuary 9 3rd Rock from the SunNBCChampsABCJanuary 20 The Lazarus ManTNTJanuary 21 SavannahThe WBJanuary 22 Bzzz!SyndicationJanuary 23 MoeshaUPNJanuary 24 Tracey Takes On...HBOJanuary 31 The Louie ShowCBS Remember WENNAMCFebruary 1 World's Funniest VideosABCFebruary 3 C Bear and JamalFox KidsFebruary 5 Second NoahABCFebruary 6 Street SignsCNBCFebruary 20 VH1 StorytellersVH1February 24The Spooktacular New Adventures of CasperFox KidsMarch 1Gold FeverOutdoor ChannelMarch 2 Pacific BlueUSA NetworkSpace CasesNickelodeonMarch 4 Power LunchCNBC Good CompanyCBS High IncidentABCMarch 5 BuddiesMarch 8 Muppets TonightMarch 9 Malibu ShoresNBCMarch 12 The Paranormal BorderlineUPNMarch 13 The FacultyABC Swift JusticeUPNMarch 15 Aliens in the FamilyABCMarch 16 The Mystery Files of Shelby WooNickelodeonMarch 17 Local HeroesFoxThe ShowMarch 20 The SentinelUPNMarch 21 Boston CommonNBCMarch 29 E! True Hollywood StoryE! Nash BridgesCBSApril 1 Home and FamilyThe Family ChannelApril 3 My GuysCBSApril 8 ProfitFoxApril 20 Power Rangers ZeoFox KidsApril 21 Poltergeist: The LegacyShowtimeApril 23 Forensic FilesTLCApril 27 Dexter's LaboratoryTNTApril 28 Fox News SundayFoxMay 13 BuzzkillMTVJune 1 The American AthleteABCJune 2 Big BagCartoon NetworkJune 3 DebtLifetime Kratts' CreaturesPBS The Last FrontierFox L.A. FirefightersJune 10Caryl & Marilyn: Real FriendsABCThe Rosie O'Donnell ShowSyndicationA Wedding StoryTLCJuly 15 The News with Brian WilliamsMSNBC The Site Time and Again MSNBC LiveJuly 22 The Daily ShowComedy CentralAugust 10 ArlissHBOAugust 11 The Big EasyUSA NetworkAugust 12 Fox After BreakfastFoxAugust 17 Kenan & KelNickelodeonAugust 25 The Steve Harvey ShowThe WBAugust 26 7th HeavenThe Real Adventures of Jonny QuestCartoon Network Goode BehaviorUPN Malcolm & Eddie SparksAugust 27 Homeboys in Outer SpaceAugust 28 The Jamie Foxx ShowThe WB Nick Freno: Licensed TeacherAugust 31 Women: Stories of PassionShowtimeSeptember 1 Big DealFoxSeptember 2 Adventures from the Book of VirtuesPBSSeptember 3 The Burning ZoneUPNQuack PackSyndication Imus in the MorningMSNBCSeptember 6 Dragon FlyzSyndication Mighty Ducks: The Animated SeriesThe Disney Channel and ABC Superman: The Animated SeriesKids' WBSeptember 7 Road Rovers Captain Simian & the Space MonkeysSyndication Big Bad BeetleborgsFox KidsSeptember 8 Blue's CluesNickelodeon Bureau of Alien DetectorsUPN Kids The Incredible Hulk Jumanji Life with RogerThe WBSeptember 9 Lush LifeFox Party Girl Grill MeUSA Network Access HollywoodSyndication The Cape Samurai Pizza Cats F/X: The Series Eagle Riders In Person with Maureen O'Boyle Real TV Scoop with Sam & DorothySeptember 13 Everybody Loves RaymondCBSSeptember 14 Bailey Kipper's P.O.V. Project G.e.e.K.e.R. Secrets of the Cryptkeeper's Haunted HouseSeptember 16 Beast Wars: TransformersUPN Kids Judge JudySyndication The Pat Bullard Show CosbyCBS PearlSeptember 17 Promised Land Something So RightNBC Spin CityABCSeptember 18 Townies Men Behaving BadlyNBCSeptember 19 The Pretender Suddenly Susan MoloneyCBSSeptember 20 Mr. & Mrs. Smith CluelessABCSeptember 21 All Dogs Go to Heaven: The SeriesSyndication Dark SkiesNBC WWF LiveWireUSA Network The Mouse and the MonsterUPN KidsSeptember 24 RelativityABCSeptember 25 Pulp ComicsComedy CentralSeptember 27 Sabrina the Teenage WitchABCSeptember 28 Early EditionCBS Common LawABC Love and MarriageFox The Adventures of SinbadSyndication Psi Factor Mr. RhodesNBCSeptember 29 ProfilerSeptember 30 PappylandTLC Shopping SpreeThe Family Channel Small Talk Wait 'til You Have Kids Dangerous MindsABCOctober 5 Jungle CubsOctober 7 Fox News NowFox News Channel Hannity & Colmes The O'Reilly Factor Your World with Neil Cavuto ArthurPBS Where in Time Is Carmen Sandiego? Mr. Conductor's Thomas Tales Hey Arnold!NickelodeonOctober 11 KaBlam!October 12 The RuPaul ShowVH1October 13 The Wubbulous World of Dr. SeussNickelodeonOctober 19 WayneheadKids' WBOctober 21 InkCBSOctober 25 The Crocodile HunterDiscovery ChannelMillenniumFoxRemember This?MSNBCOctober 27 Pop-Up VideoVH1 EZ StreetsCBSOctober 30 Public MoralsOctober 31The New DetectivesDiscovery ChannelNovember 3 Inspector Gadget's Field Trip The History ChannelNovember 9 The High LifeHBODecember 9 Idiot SavantsMTVDecember 24 EdgewiseMSNBCDecember 28 For Your HomePBS Gardening by the YardHGTV Naughty Amateur Home VideosPlayboy TV Returning this year Show Last aired Previous network New title New network ReturnedDoug1994NickelodeonDisney's Brand Spanking New! DougABCSeptember 7Gargoyles1996SyndicationGargoyles: The Goliath ChroniclesThe Dating Game1989SameSameSeptember 9The Newlywed GameShop 'til You Drop1994LifetimeThe New Shop 'til You DropThe Family ChannelSeptember 30What A Cartoon! (World Premiere Toons)1996TBS/Cartoon NetworkThe What A Cartoon! ShowCartoon NetworkOctober 9 Ending this year Date Show DebutJanuary 9Live Shot 1995January 11The Commish1991January 14Nickelodeon Guts1992February 3Are You Afraid of the Dark? (returned in 1999)Dumb and Dumber1995February 7Matt Waters1996 February 17Maybe This Time1995 February 21VR Troopers1994 February 23Carnie!1995Strange LuckFebruary 24Iron Man1994February 26High Society1995March 1The Head1994March 7The Mickey Mouse Club1955March 27Dream On1990March 29The Pink Panther1993George & Alana1995March 30Campus Cops1996April 1Partners1995 May 4Sisters1991 May 11Captain Planet and the Planeteers1990May 19Murder, She Wrote1984May 20The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air1990Nowhere Man1995June 2Space: Above and BeyondJune 4Minor AdjustmentsJune 9seaQuest DSV1993June 17Buzzkill1996June 19Hudson Street1995 June 26Picket Fences1992 June 28Central Park West1995July 11American GothicJuly 14Muppets Tonight1996July 19Tales from the Crypt 1989August 8Kratts' Creatures1996August 16The Client1995August 17Santo BugitoAugust 27Rescue 9111989August 30A Current Affair (returned in 2005)1986September 13The Phil Donahue Show1967September 14WWF Mania1993September 15USA Cartoon Express1982September 30Lush Life1996Party GirlOctober 6Big DealOctober 10Later with Greg Kinnear1994October 20The Ren & Stimpy Show1991October 30Public Morals1996The John Larroquette Show1993November 2Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 1987November 9The Lazarus Man1996November 10Kirk1995November 11Mr. Conductor's Thomas Tales1996November 20Masked Rider1995November 24Rocko's Modern Life1993The Tick1994 November 25Timon & Pumbaa (returned in 1999)1995November 27Power Rangers Zeo1996 November 28Quack Pack December 4TowniesDecember 6Mr. & Mrs. SmithDecember 7Project G.e.e.K.e.R.December 8Allegra's Window1994December 13Earthworm Jim1995December 14Bailey Kipper's P.O.V.1996California Dreams1992December 18The High Life1996December 24Roundhouse1992 December 28The Adventures of Pete & Pete1993UnknownTop Rank Boxing (returned in 2017)1980 Made for TV movies Premiere date Title Channel February 11 Night of the Twisters The Family Channel April 9 Face of Evil CBS May 14 Doctor Who Fox June 9 Lily Dale ShowtimeWatson, Charles S. (2003). Horton Foote: A Literary Biography. Austin, TX: The University of Texas Press. p. 170. 0-292-79160-7. "Lily Dale is one of the Cycle plays that has been filmed. It appeared on Showtime on June 9, 1996, sponsored by Hallmark Entertainment. " September 24 After Jimmy CBS November 15 Dallas: J.R. Returns December 15 The Angel of Pennsylvania Avenue The Family Channel December 17 Unlikely Angel CBS Miniseries Premiere date Title Channel February 4 Gulliver's Travels NBC February 24 The Late Shift HBO April 28-29 The Beast NBC November 17 Titanic CBS Entering syndication this year Show Seasons In production SourceDr. Quinn, Medicine Woman4Yes from Broadcasting & CableHangin' with Mr. Cooper4Yes from Broadcasting & CableMad About You4Yes from Broadcasting & CableMartin4Yes from Broadcasting & Cable Changes of network affiliation Show Moved from Moved to Brotherly Love NBC The WB In the House UPN Minor AdjustmentsCandid Camera Syndication CBS Gargoyles ABC Doug NickelodeonTekWar USA Network Sci-Fi ChannelMajor League Baseball Game of the WeekCBS FoxThe Mask CBS/SyndicationShop 'til You Drop Lifetime The Family Channel Networks and services Launches Network Type Launch date Notes Source BET on Jazz Cable television January 15 Sundance Channel Cable and satellite February 1 America's Health Network Cable and satellite March Starz! 2 Cable and satellite March Ovation Cable television April 21 Nick at Nite's TV Land Cable and satellite April 29 Animal Planet Cable and satellite June 1 M2 Cable and satellite August 1 Fox Sports Arizona Cable and satellite September 7 Fox News Channel Cable and satellite October 7 Discovery Civilization NetworkDiscovery Travel & Living NetworkDiscovery Kids ChannelDiscovery Science Network Digital cable October 7 Research Channel Cable television November ESPNews Cable and satellite November 1 HBO Family Cable and satellite December 1 CN8, The Comcast Network Cable television December 1 CNN/SI Cable and satellite December 12 Conversions and rebrandings Old network name New network name Type Conversion Date Notes SourceAmerica's TalkingMSNBCCable and satelliteJuly 15Prime DeportivaPrime Sports Intermountain WestPrime Sports KBLPrime Sports MidwestPrime Sports NorthwestPrime Sports Rocky MountainPrime Sports SouthwestPrime Sports WestFox Sports AméricasFox Sports UtahFox Sports PittsburghFox Sports MidwestFox Sports NorthwestFox Sports Rocky MountainFox Sports SouthwestFox Sports WestCable and satelliteNovember 1Seven regional sports networks and a companion Spanish-language network operated by Prime Network relaunched as Fox Sports Net. Closures NetworkTypeEnd dateNotesSourcesWWOR EMI ServiceCable televisionDecember 31Advance Entertainment Corporation, which had acquired WWOR EMI Service in mid-1996, discontinued the channel on December 31. WWOR's satellite transponder slot was given to Discovery Communications' Animal Planet channel.Intro TelevisionCable televisionDecember 31Intro Television, which showed sample programs from cable networks such as Cartoon Network, Sci-Fi Channel, The History Channel, and The Box, was replaced by Plex: Encore 1 on January 1. Television stations Station launches Date Market Station Channel Affiliation January Las Vegas, NV KZIR 15 Univision January 1 Reno, NV KRXI-TV 11 Fox February 22 Denver, CO KTVJ 14 Independent March 1 Louisville, KY W62BM 62 Independent West Milford, NJ WFME-TV 66 Independent Ogden, UT K21ET 21 Univision March 16 Oklahoma City, OK KOPX-TV 62 inTV March 22 Merced–Fresno, CA KNSO 51 Religious independent March 30 Albion, NE KLKE 24 ABC (satellite of KLKN) April 14 Ceres–Sacramento, CA KBSV-TV 23 Independent April 25 Binghamton, NY W08DL 8 Independent May 5 Grand Junction, CO KKCO 11 NBC May 26 Key West, FL WWFD 8 Multicultural independent May 28 Lima, OH W18BP 18 Fox (via WOHL-LP) May 31 Killeen–Waco, TX KAKW 62 UPN/The WB June El Centro, CA–Yuma, AZ KVYE 7 Univision June 23 Fayetteville, NC WUNU 31 PBS (UNC-TV) July 2 Fairbanks, AK K22EY 22 Wireless cable August 7 Fairbanks, AK K13XD 13 CBS August 28 Ellensburg, WA K25FP 25 3ABN September 1 Hagerstown, MD WSHE-TV 60 inTV September 14 Kansas City, MO KCWB 29 The WB September 27 Butte, MT KWYB 18 ABC October 7 Flint, MI W61DB 61 Independent Kalamazoo, MI WUHO-LP 38 Independent October 11 Grand Rapids, MI WJUE 43 inTV October 30 Marquette, MI WBKP 5 ABC October 31 Bozeman, MT KCTZ 7 Fox November 7 Nashville, TN W59AW 59 America One December 3 Oklahoma City, OK News Now 53 53 (cable-only) Independent (24/7 news) December 12 Traverse City, MI W51CS 51 America One December 21 Arlington–Dallas–Fort Worth, TX KPXD-TV 68 InTV December 24 Bluefield, West Virginia WVSX 59 Fox Unknown date Missoula, Montana KUFM-TV 11 PBS (Montana PBS) Stations changing network affiliation Date Market Station Channel Prior affiliation New affiliationJanuary 1Honolulu, HIKHON-TV2NBCFoxKHNL13FoxNBCIdaho Falls–Pocatello, IDKPVI6ABCNBCKIFI-TV8NBCABCMacon, GAWGXA24ABCFoxWPGA-TV58FoxABCMobile, AL–Pensacola, FLWALA-TV10NBCFoxWPMI15FoxNBCNew Orleans, LAWVUE-TV8ABCFoxWGNO26The WBABCWNOL-TV38FoxThe WBTwin Falls, IDKKVI35ABCFoxReno, NVKAME-TV21FoxUPNMarch 1Bakersfield, CAKERO-TV23CBSABCKBAK-TV29ABCCBS March 14 Greensboro, NC WBFX 20 CTN The WBApril 1Fairbanks, AKKTVF11CBSNBCApril 4Binghamton, NY WICZ-TV 40 NBC FoxMay 26South Bend, IN W12BK 12 Independent ABCJune 3 Cincinnati, OH WCPO-TV 9 CBS ABC WKRC-TV 12 ABC CBS June 19 Greensboro, NC WGGT-TV 48 ABC UPN July 1 New York, NY WNYC-TV/WBIS 31 PBS IndependentAugust 19Charleston, SC WCBD-TV 2 ABC NBC WCIV 4 NBC ABCSeptember 1 Birmingham–Tuscaloosa, AL WBRC 6 ABC Fox WDBB/WTTO 17/21 Fox Independent WCFT-TV 33 CBS ABCWJSU-TV40CBSABC WNAL-TV 44 Fox CBS W58CK 58 Independent ABCLincoln, NE KSNB-TV 4 ABC FoxSeptember 29Mobile, AL–Pensacola, FL WFGX 35 Independent The WBDecember 31Akron–Cleveland, OH WAKC-TV 23 ABC inTV Station closures Date Market Station Channel Affiliation May 5 Bluefield, WV WVGV-TV 59 The WB Births Date Name NotabilityJanuary 3Florence PughActressJanuary 9Oana GregoryActress (Crash and Bernstein)January 15Dove CameronActress (Liv and Maddie, Descendants, Descendants: Wicked World, Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.) and singerJanuary 17Caitlin SanchezVoice actress (Dora on Dora the Explorer (2008–11))January 18Sarah GilmanActress (I Didn't Do It)January 22Sami GayleActress (Blue Bloods, Milo Murphy's Law)January 27Braeden LemastersActor (Men of a Certain Age, Betrayal)February 1Rahart AdamsActor (Every Witch Way)February 6Dalton RapattoniSinger (American Idol)February 7David CastroActor (Shadowhunters)Jake GoldbergVoice actor (Pablo on The Backyardigans (2006–10))February 9Jimmy BennettActor (No Ordinary Family)Kelli BerglundActress (Lab Rats, Lab Rats: Elite Force) February 17Sasha PieterseActress (Pretty Little Liars) and singerFebruary 19Allen AlvaradoActor (Flight 29 Down)February 21Sophie TurnerEnglish actress (Game of Thrones)February 28Bobb'e J. ThompsonActor (That's So Raven, Tyler Perry's House of Payne)March 15Maxwell Jacob FriedmanPro wrestler2019-05-24 Inside the mind of AEW's Maxwell Jacob Friedman and why he is the most hated pro wrestler today Sporting News https://www.sportingnews.com/us/wwe/news/inside-the-mind-of-aews-maxwell-jacob-friedman-and-why-he-is-the-most-hated-professional-wrestler-today/187xrrx4aaqfg1ielj9kd70clx 2024-11-05 www.sportingnews.com en-usMarch 22Gig MortonCanadian actor (Mr. Young)March 30Madeleine PetersCanadian voice actress (Martha Speaks, My Little Pony: Friendship Is Magic)March 31Liza KoshyActressApril 3Sarah JefferyCanadian actress (Descendants: Wicked World) April 4Austin MahoneAmerican singer April 6Miranda MayActress (Bunk'd)April 10Audrey WhitbyActress (The Thundermans)April 14Abigail BreslinActress (Scream Queens)April 17Dee Dee DavisActress (The Bernie Mac Show)April 18Roy WoodsSingerApril 25Allisyn SnyderActress (Sonny with a Chance, So Random!)May 3Noah MunckActor (iCarly, The Goldbergs)May 8Noah CentineoActor (The Fosters)May 9Mary MouserActress (Body of Proof, Scandal, Cobra Kai)May 14McKaley MillerActressMay 17Ryan OchoaActor (iCarly, Pair of Kings)May 18Violett BeaneActressMay 24Frank DolceActor (Sons of Tucson)June 2Jacy JaynePro wrestlerJacy Jayne WWE: Latest news and updates @ Sportskeeda https://www.sportskeeda.com/player/jacy-jayne 2024-12-19 www.sportskeeda.comJune 16Cody LohanActor (Living Lohan)June 20Claudia LeeActressJune 25Lele PonsActress and youtuberBerg Madeline Meet Lele Pons: The Latina Star Taking Over The Digital World https://www.forbes.com/sites/maddieberg/2017/01/04/meet-lele-pons-the-latina-digital-star-whos-moved-well-past-vine/ 2024-09-04 Forbes enJuly 13Jena IreneSinger (American Idol)Bronson Fred 2014-03-20 ‘American Idol’ Season 13: Jena Irene Stays Thankful for Middle School Breakups https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/music-news/american-idol-jenna-irene-689733/ 2024-02-19 The Hollywood Reporter en-USJuly 16Chayce BeckhamSinger (American Idol)Cruz Rene Ray De La 'I'm here and I'm doing this': An interview with 'American Idol' hopeful Chayce Beckham https://www.vvdailypress.com/story/entertainment/television/2021/04/18/im-here-and-im-doing-this-interview-american-idol-hopeful-chayce-beckham/7233926002/ 2024-02-19 Victorville Daily Press en-USNicky JonesVoice actor (Chowder)July 17Jermaine HarrisActor (Saturdays)July 21Joey BraggActor (Liv and Maddie)July 22Skyler GisondoActorJuly 23Rachel G. FoxActressJuly 24Herizen F. GuardiolaActressJuly 30Austin NorthActor (I Didn't Do It)July 31Blake MichaelActor (Dog With a Blog)August 1Cymphonique MillerActress (Phineas and Ferb, How to Rock) and singerAugust 7Liam JamesActorAugust 12Torri WebsterCanadian actress (Life with Boys)August 13Tessa AlbertsonActressAugust 21Jamia Simone NashActress (The Backyardigans, The Young and the Restless)August 22Mickey GraueActor (Lost)August 25Naelee RaeActress (The Backyardigans, The Guiding Light)September 1ZendayaActress (Shake It Up, K.C. Undercover, Euphoria) and singerSeptember 2Austin AbramsActor (Dash & Lily, Euphoria) September 4Victoria MorolesActress (Liv and Maddie, Teen Wolf)September 6Alex Christian JonesActor (Kickin' It)September 10Kamil McFaddenActor (K.C. Undercover)September 12Colin FordActor (Under the Dome, Jake on Jake and the Never Land Pirates)September 13Lili ReinhartActress (Riverdale)September 15Jake CherryActorSeptember 18Kurt DossActor (Ruby & the Rockits)October 9Bella HadidAmerican model and sister of Gigi HadidOctober 10Sarah CarpenterActress (Girl Meets World)October 16Tyler PerezActor (WITS Academy)October 28Sarah CarpenterActress (Girl Meets World)November 2Liam ObergfollActress (Talia in the Kitchen)November 6Chelsea ZhangActress (Titans, Daybreak, Andi Mack)November 14Mason GoodingActor (Love, Victor)November 18Noah RingerActorNovember 19Gabrielle ElyseActress (Nicky, Ricky, Dicky & Dawn, The Thundermans)November 21Grace Van PattenActressNovember 22Hailey BaldwinAmerican fashion model and daughter of Stephen BaldwinMackenzie LintzActress (Under the Dome)Madison DavenportActress (Shameless, From Dusk till Dawn: The Series) and singerDecember 6Stefanie ScottActress (A.N.T. Farm)December 8Teala DunnActress (Wonder Pets, The Naked Brothers Band, Are We There Yet?, The Thundermans)December 11Hailee SteinfeldActress and singerJack GriffoActor (The Thundermans) and singerDecember 20Timothy McCartneyActorDecember 21Kaitlyn DeverActress (Justified, Last Man Standing) December 29Dylan MinnetteActor (Lost, Awake, 13 Reasons Why)December 30Raymond ChamActor (Mech-X4) Deaths Date Name Age NotabilityFebruary 3 Audrey Meadows73Actress (Alice Kramden on The Honeymooners)February 13 Martin Balsam76Actor (Murray on Archie Bunker's Place) February 15McLean Stevenson68Actor (Lt. Col. Henry Blake on M*A*S*H)Tommy Rettig54Child actor (Jeff on Lassie)March 4 Minnie Pearl83ComedianMarch 5 Whit Bissell86Character actorMarch 9 George Burns100Comedian (The George Burns and Gracie Allen Show)March 11 Vince Edwards67Actor (Ben Casey)April 21 Jimmy Snyder77Sports commentator (The NFL Today)May 20Jon Pertwee76Actor (Third Doctor on Doctor Who)June 2Ray Combs40Host of Family FeudJune 5 Vito Scotti78Character actor, Gilligan's IslandJune 16 Mel Allen83Sports commentatorJuly 21 Herb Edelman62Actor (Stanley Zbornak on The Golden Girls)August 27 Greg Morris62Actor (Mission: Impossible)September 13 Tupac Shakur25Actor and songwriterOctober 6 Ted Bessell61Actor and director (Donald on That Girl)October 28Morey Amsterdam87Actor and comedian (Buddy on The Dick Van Dyke Show)October 31Arthur Peterson Jr.83Actor (Soap)November 13Alma Kitchell103Hostess (In the Kelvinator Kitchen)December 8Howard Rollins46Actor (Tibbs on In the Heat of the Night)December 12 Larry Gates81Soap opera actor (Guiding Light)December 14 Edward K. Milkis65Producer See also 1996 in the United States List of American films of 1996 References External links List of 1996 American television series at IMDb 1996 Category:1990s in American television