2016 in American television


The following is a list of events affecting American television in 2016. Events listed include television show debuts, finales, and cancellations; channel launches, closures, and rebrandings; stations changing or adding their network affiliations; and information about controversies and carriage disputes.

Notable events

January

February

March

April

May

June

July

August

September

October

November

December

Television programs

Programs debuting in 2016

These shows are scheduled to premiere in 2016. The premiere dates may be changed depending on a variety of factors.
First airedShowChannelSource
January 1The Rap GameLifetime
January 1'Discovery Life
January 3BordertownFox
January 3Cooper Barrett's Guide to Surviving LifeFox
January 3Glada EntertainsFood Network
January 4Diesel BrothersDiscovery Channel
January 4Bachelor LiveABC
January 5Pitch SlappedLifetime
January 510 ThingstruTV
January 5The Shannara ChroniclesMTV
January 5Killing FieldsDiscovery Channel
January 5Zoe Ever AfterBET
January 6Skin TightTLC
January 6Criminals at WorkBET
January 7Angel from HellCBS
January 7My Diet Is Better Than YoursABC
January 7Shades of BlueNBC
January 8Ex IsleWE tv
January 10Live to TellHistory
January 11Lego Nexo KnightsCartoon Network
January 12ShadowhuntersFreeform
January 13Second ChanceFox
January 13TeachersTV Land
January 14ColonyUSA Network
January 14IdiotsitterComedy Central
January 14Greatest Party Story EverMTV
January 17Angie TribecaTBS
January 17BillionsShowtime
January 17Mercy StreetPBS
January 17The Real Housewives of PotomacBravo
January 18Mako MermaidsDisney Channel
January 18The HALO EffectNickelodeon
January 19Planet PrimetimeTravel Channel
January 19Fit to Fat to FitA&E
January 20Kocktails with KhloéFYI
January 21BasketsFX
January 21Dark NetShowtime
January 21Legends of TomorrowThe CW
January 21Recipe for DeceptionBravo
January 23NBA Saturday Primetime on ABCABC
January 25LuciferFox
January 25Recovery RoadFreeform
January 25'VH1
January 26OutsidersWGN America
January 28You, Me and the ApocalypseNBC
January 28'Up TV
February 1Paradise RunNickelodeon
February 2American Crime StoryFX
February 2RattledTLC
February 5Animals.HBO
February 5BunniculaCartoon Network
February 8Full Frontal with Samantha BeeTBS
February 9Not Safe with Nikki GlaserComedy Central
February 11Those Who Can'ttruTV
February 14VinylHBO
February 15Ready Jet Go!PBS Kids
February 1611.22.63Hulu
February 17Fat ChanceTLC
February 19LoveNetflix
February 26Fuller HouseNetflix
February 29truInsidetruTV
March 1Tour GroupBravo
March 2Hap and LeonardSundanceTV
March 2'Disney XD
March 2The Real O'NealsABC
March 3The FamilyABC
March 3Late Night SnacktruTV
March 6Pink Panther and FriendsCartoon Network
March 7Little PeopleSprout
March 7DamienA&E
March 8Of Kings and ProphetsABC
March 8Little Big ShotsNBC
March 8Separation AnxietyTBS
March 9UndergroundWGN America
March 9The Internet Ruined My LifeSyfy
March 11FlakedNetflix
March 11'Netflix
March 12Party Over HereFox
March 12School of RockNickelodeon
March 13Life or DebtSpike
March 15CrowdedNBC
March 16'CBS
March 22HeartbeatNBC
March 24The CatchABC
March 25BackstageDisney Channel
March 29Like a BossOxygen
March 30LopezTV Land
March 30The PathHulu
March 30Quit Your Day JobOxygen
March 31Rush HourCBS
April 1The RanchNetflix
April 1Wynonna EarpSyfy
April 5America's Greatest MakersTBS
April 5Chasing DestinyBET
April 6Walk the PrankDisney XD
April 10DiceShowtime
April 10The Girlfriend ExperienceStarz
April 11The DetourTBS
April 11HuntersSyfy
April 12Game of SilenceNBC
April 13StrongNBC
April 14American GritFox
April 14The Dude Perfect ShowCMT
April 16DramaworldViki
April 16Hunter X Hunter Adult Swim
April 19ContainmentThe CW
April 20There Goes The MotherhoodBravo
April 20Get Blake!Nicktoons
April 21Comedy KnockouttruTV
April 26Space's Deepest SecretsScience Channel
May 2Houdini & DoyleFox
May 2The Loud HouseNickelodeon
May 8Food Network Star: Comeback KitchenFood Network
May 9PeanutsCartoon Network/Boomerang
May 11ChelseaNetflix
May 17CoupledFox
May 20Lady DynamiteNetflix
May 22PreacherAMC
May 23MygrationsNational Geographic Channel
May 27Counterfeit CatDisney XD
May 30Atomic PuppetDisney XD
May 31Maya & MartyNBC
June 1ClevermanSundanceTV
June 3OutcastCinemax
June 3All In with Cam NewtonNickelodeon
June 5Feed the BeastAMC
June 10'Netflix
June 12Still the KingCMT
June 13BrainDeadCBS
June 13GuiltFreeform
June 13'NBC
June 14Animal KingdomTNT
June 14Uncle BuckABC
June 14WreckedTBS
June 22American GothicCBS
June 22Any Given Wednesday with Bill SimmonsHBO
June 22Escape the NightYouTube Premium-
June 23Queen of the SouthUSA Network
June 24BizaardvarkDisney Channel
June 26RoadiesShowtime
June 28Dead of SummerFreeform
July 5CrashletesNickelodeon
July 5Greatest EvertruTV
July 5Fangbone!Disney XD
July 9Legendary DudasNickelodeon
July 15Stranger ThingsNetflix
July 17Vice PrincipalsHBO
July 22Elena of AvalorDisney Channel
July 24Ozzy & Jack's World DetourHistory
August 1Future-Worm!Disney XD
August 12The Get DownNetflix
August 13Regal AcademyNickelodeon
August 14Chesapeake ShoresHallmark Channel
August 23Better Late Than NeverNBC
August 24Cleveland HustlesCNBC
September 6The 11th HourMSNBC
September 6AtlantaFX
September 8Better ThingsFX
September 9One MississippiAmazon Video
September 9QuarryCinemax
September 9Jagger Eaton's Mega LifeNickelodeon
September 11Rob & ChynaE!
September 11Son of ZornFox
September 12HarrySyndication
September 12T.D. JakesSyndication
September 12The Robert Irvine ShowThe CW
September 12The ZhuZhusDisney Channel
September 14Legends of Chamberlain HeightsComedy Central
September 16FleabagAmazon Video
September 16High MaintenanceHBO
September 19The Good PlaceNBC
September 19Kevin Can WaitCBS
September 19Right Now KapowDisney XD
September 20BullCBS
September 20This Is UsNBC
September 21Designated SurvivorABC
September 21Falling WaterUSA Network
September 21Lethal WeaponFox
September 21SpeechlessABC
September 22NotoriousABC
September 22PitchFox
September 23The ExorcistFox
September 23MacGyverCBS
September 23Van HelsingSyfy
September 27Channel ZeroSyfy
September 29Mighty MagiswordsCartoon Network
September 30Crisis in Six ScenesAmazon Video
September 30Luke CageNetflix
October 2WestworldHBO
October 3ConvictionABC
October 3TimelessNBC
October 3Milo Murphy's LawDisney XD
October 3Kuu Kuu HarajukuNickelodeon
October 4No TomorrowThe CW
October 5FrequencyThe CW
October 5Total BellasE!
October 9DivorceHBO
October 9InsecureHBO
October 10Vice News TonightHBO
October 11American HousewifeABC
October 14GoliathAmazon Video
October 16Berlin StationEpix
October 16JoJo's Bizarre AdventureAdult Swim
October 16EyewitnessUSA Network
October 16GravesEpix
October 19ChanceHulu
October 24Man with a PlanCBS
October 26Jon Glaser Loves GearTruTV
October 27The Great IndoorsCBS
October 27Pure GeniusCBS
October 28Good Girls RevoltAmazon Video
October 28Tracey Ullman's ShowHBO
November 4The CrownNetflix
November 7Martha & Snoop's Potluck Dinner PartyVH1
November 7P. King DucklingDisney Junior
November 11Mech-X4Disney XD
November 15Good BehaviorTNT
November 15ShooterUSA Network
November 18The Grand TourAmazon Video
November 21Search PartyTBS
November 23Splash and BubblesPBS Kids
November 30IncorporatedSyfy
December 4Mariah's WorldE!
December 7Shut EyeHulu
December 9CaptiveNetflix
December 9White Rabbit ProjectNetflix
December 14StarFox
December 16Justice League ActionCartoon Network
December 16The OANetflix
December 19Disney XD

Miniseries

First airedTitleChannelSource
January 18War & PeaceA&E, History, and Lifetime
January 24The X-FilesFox
February 3MadoffABC
February 20Serial Thriller: The HeadhunterInvestigation Discovery
March 6Race for the White HouseCNN
March 31The EightiesCNN
April 19The Night ManagerAMC
May 30RootsA&E, History, and Lifetime
June 11The American WestAMC
July 10The Night OfHBO
September 5Harley and the DavidsonsDiscovery Channel
September 18CBS

Television films and specials

First airedTitleChannelSource
January 4The BreaksVH1
January 9My Sweet AudrinaLifetime
January 23'Lifetime
January 30Lila & EveLifetime
January 31'Fox
March 20'Fox
March 20'Fox
April 16ConfirmationHBO
May 17Megyn Kelly PresentsFox
May 21All the WayHBO
May 30The DresserStarz
June 2Quincy Jones: Burning the LightHBO
June 24Adventures in BabysittingDisney Channel
July 31'Syfy
September 1Holy HellCNN
September 17'Hulu
October 20Fox
November 24The Wonderful World of Disney: Magical Holiday CelebrationABC
November 26Legends of the Hidden TempleNickelodeon
December 2Mr. Neighbor's HouseAdult Swim
December 7Hairspray Live!NBC
December 9AlbertNickelodeon

Programs changing networks

ShowMoved fromMoved toSource
Miss Universe pageantNBCFox
Miss USA pageantReelzFox
Impact WrestlingDestination AmericaPop
Sesame StreetPBSHBO / PBS
WWE SmackDownSyfyUSA Network
HoardersLifetimeA&E
SportsNationESPN2ESPN
America's Next Top ModelThe CWVH1
MotiveABCUSA Network
Sports Jeopardy!CrackleCrackle / NBCSN
SupergirlCBSThe CW
The Last AlaskansAnimal PlanetDiscovery Channel
High MaintenanceVimeoHBO
Primetime Justice with Ashleigh BanfieldCNN HLN
Sonic BoomCartoon NetworkBoomerang

Programs returning in 2016

The following shows will return with new episodes after being canceled or ended their run previously:
ShowLast airedType of returnPrevious channelNew/returning/same channelReturn dateSource
The Increasingly Poor Decisions of Todd Margaret2012New SeasonIFCsameJanuary 7
The X-Files2002RevivalFoxsameJanuary 24
The Powerpuff Girls2005RebootCartoon NetworksameApril 4
Disappeared2013New SeasonInvestigation DiscoverysameApril 11
To Tell the Truth2001RevivalSyndicationABCJune 14
The $100,000 Pyramid2012RebootGame Show NetworkABCJune 26
Match Game1999RevivalSyndicationABCJune 26
Mad TV2009RevivalFoxThe CWJuly 26
Black Mirror2014RevivalChannel 4 NetflixOctober 21
Space Racers2015New SeasonPBS KidsPBS Kids / SproutOctober 31
Gilmore Girls
2007New SeasonThe CWNetflixNovember 25

Milestone episodes

ShowNetworkEpisode #Episode titleEpisode air dateSource
2 Broke GirlsCBS100th"And the Not Regular Down There"January 13
Last Man StandingABC100th"The Ring"January 29
New GirlFox100th"Reagan"February 9
The Big Bang TheoryCBS200th"The Celebration Experimentation"February 25
Once Upon a TimeABC100th"Souls of the Departed"March 6
RuPaul's Drag RaceLogo100thMarch 7
GrimmNBC100th"Into the Schwarzwald"March 11
NCISCBS300th"Scope"March 15
American Dad!TBS200th"The Two Hundred"March 28
Bob's BurgersFox100th"Stand by Gene"May 22
Person of InterestCBS100th"The Day the World Went Away"May 31
Royal PainsUSA100th"Doubt of Africa"June 8
The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy FallonNBC500th"Michael Strahan/Parker Posey/Margo Price"July 14
Rizzoli & IslesTNT100th"2M7258-100"July 25
Real Time with Bill MaherHBO400th"Amy Holmes/Michael Moynihan/Salman Rushdie"July 28
Steven UniverseCartoon Network100th"Beta"August 5
Pretty Little LiarsFreeform150th"The DArkest Knight"August 30
The SimpsonsFox600th"Treehouse of Horror XXVII"October 16
ElementaryCBS100th"Henny Penny the Sky is Falling"October 30
Teenage Mutant Ninja TurtlesNickelodeon100th"The Power Inside Her"November 20
ArrowThe CW100th"Invasion!"November 30
Chicago FireNBC100th"One Hundred"December 6

Programs ending in 2016

End dateShowChannelFirst airedStatusSource
January 10Austin & AllyDisney Channel2011Ended
January 22UnforgettableA&E2011Canceled
January 29UndateableNBC2014Canceled
January 31GalavantABC2015Canceled
February 3Lab RatsDisney XD2012Ended
February 7Melissa Harris-PerryMSNBC2012Canceled
February 15Gravity FallsDisney XD2012Ended
February 22TelenovelaNBC2015Canceled
February 22The Biggest LoserNBC2004Canceled
March 1Agent CarterABC2015Canceled
March 1The MuppetsABC2015Canceled
March 2The Mysteries of LauraNBC2014Canceled
March 6MythBustersDiscovery Channel2003Ended
March 13'CBS2015Canceled
March 15Of Kings and ProphetsABC2016Canceled
March 25Second ChanceFox2016Canceled
March 28Recovery RoadFreeform2016Canceled
April 7American IdolFox2002Canceled
April 10TogethernessHBO2015Canceled
April 15Childrens HospitalAdult Swim2010Ended
April 17VinylHBO2016Canceled
April 20DeadbeatHulu2014Canceled
April 26LimitlessCBS2015Canceled
April 30Monopoly Millionaires' ClubSyndication2015Canceled
May 8The Good WifeCBS2009Ended
May 9DamienA&E2016Canceled
May 10GrandfatheredFox2015Canceled
May 10The GrinderFox2015Canceled
May 15The FamilyABC2016Canceled
May 16CastleABC2009Canceled
May 16Mike & MollyCBS2010Ended
May 17Faking ItMTV2014Canceled
May 20BansheeCinemax2013Ended
May 20The Meredith Vieira ShowSyndication2014Canceled
May 22BordertownFox2016Canceled
May 22CrowdedNBC2016Canceled
May 25HeartbeatNBC2016Canceled
June 4Littlest Pet ShopDiscovery Family2012Ended
June 5Game of SilenceNBC2016Canceled
June 12House of LiesShowtime2012Ended
June 17FABLifeSyndication2015Canceled
June 19Penny DreadfulShowtime2014Ended
June 21Person of InterestCBS2011Ended
June 22The Soul ManTV Land2012Ended
June 26Cooper Barrett's Guide to Surviving LifeFox2016Canceled
June 27Wander Over YonderDisney XD2013Canceled
July 4Houdini & DoyleFox2016Canceled
July 5Uncle BuckABC2016Canceled
July 6Royal PainsUSA2009Ended
July 11HuntersSyfy2016Canceled
July 23Angel from HellCBS2016Canceled
July 23Hell on WheelsAMC2011Ended
July 29Sanjay and CraigNickelodeon2013Ended
August 2CoupledFox2016Canceled
August 2Feed the BeastAMC2016Canceled
August 6Devious MaidsLifetime2013Canceled
August 9Not Safe with Nikki GlaserComedy Central2016Canceled
August 18The Nightly Show with Larry WilmoreComedy Central2015Canceled
August 20Rush HourCBS2016Canceled
August 21The Jim Gaffigan ShowTV Land2015Canceled
August 21The McLaughlin GroupSyndication1982Ended
August 22GuiltFreeform2016Canceled
August 28RoadiesShowtime2016Canceled
August 30Dead of SummerFreeform2016Canceled
September 1Sex & Drugs & Rock & RollFX2015Canceled
September 4Murder in the FirstTNT2014Canceled
September 5Rizzoli & IslesTNT2010Ended
September 6MistressesABC2013Canceled
September 7American GothicCBS2016Canceled
September 7TyrantFX2014Canceled
September 9Crazy TalkSyndication2015Canceled
September 9The Bill Cunningham ShowThe CW2011Ended
September 10AquariusNBC2015Canceled
September 11BrainDeadCBS2016Canceled
September 15Beauty & the BeastThe CW2012Ended
September 18Brad Neely's Harg Nallin' Sclopio PeepioAdult Swim2016Canceled
October 1MixelsCartoon Network2014Ended
October 13Nancy GraceHLN2005Ended
October 22'Disney XD2016Canceled
October 28Good Girls RevoltAmazon Video2016Canceled
November 5The 7DDisney XD2014Canceled
November 6Mickey Mouse ClubhouseDisney Junior2006Ended
November 9Any Given Wednesday with Bill SimmonsHBO2016Canceled
November 13Masters of SexShowtime2013Canceled
December 2Comedy Bang! Bang!IFC2012Ended
December 4Secrets and LiesABC2015Canceled
December 7ImpastorTV Land2015Canceled
December 8NotoriousABC2016Canceled
December 8PitchFox2016Canceled
December 11Blunt TalkStarz2015Canceled
December 11Best Friends WheneverDisney Channel2015Canceled
December 14RectifySundanceTV2013Ended
December 17EyewitnessUSA2016Canceled
December 20Scream QueensFox2015Canceled

Entering syndication in 2016

A list of programs that have accumulated enough episodes or seasons to be eligible for off-network syndication and/or basic cable runs.
ShowSeasonsIn ProductionSource
Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.3Yes
Last Man Standing6Yes
Major Crimes5Yes
Nashville5Yes
Pawn Stars12Yes

Television stations

Station launches

DateMarketStationChannelAffiliationSource
January 1Nashville, TNWZTV-DT317.3Antenna TV
January 1Anderson, SCWMYA-TV40.4Grit
January 27Bowling Green, KYWCZU-LD339.3Bounce TV
May 5Sidney, NEKNEP-DT24.2NBC
May 5Scottsbluff, NEKSTF-DT210.2NBC
June 1Merrimack, NH/BostonWNEU-DT360.3Cozi TV
June 22Lexington, KYWLEX-DT318.3Bounce TV
July 1Birmingham, ALWUOA-LD46.1
46.2
46.3		Laff
Buzzr
Escape
August 1Duluth, MNKBJR-DT36.3MyNetworkTV
August 1Peoria, ILWEEK-DT225.2ABC
August 1Peoria, ILWEEK-DT325.3The CW
August 24Bowling Green, KYWCZU-LD39.4Sonlife Broadcasting Network
September 1Watertown, NYWWTI-DT350.3Laff
September 1Watertown, NYWWTI-DT450.4Escape
September 1Evansville, INWTVW-DT37.3Escape
September 1Evansville, INWEHT-DT225.2Laff
September 3Utica, NYWUTR-DT320.3Grit
September 3Utica, NYWUTR-DT420.4Bounce TV
September 3Utica, NYWFXV-DT233.2Escape
September 3Utica, NYWFXV-DT333.3Laff
September 12Alexandria, LAKALB-DT35.3The CW
September 12Fargo, NDKXJB-LD230.2The CW
September 12Madison, WIWMTV-DT415.4WeatherNation TV
September 23Bowling Green, KYWCZU-LD39.5
39.6		Grit
Escape
October 25Lafayette, INWPBI-LD16.1Fox
October 25Lafayette, INWPBI-LD216.2NBC
November 1St. Joseph, MOKNPG-LD221.2The CW

December 1Watertown, NYWVNC-LD45.1NBC
December 1Santa Barbara/Santa Maria, CAKWSM-LP32.2SonLife Broadcasting Network-
December 1Springfield, MOKRFT-LD8.6Estrella TV-
December 19Lawrence/BostonWMFP-DT560.5Independent/Cozi TV

Stations changing network affiliation

DateMarketStationChannelPrior affiliationNew affiliationSource
January 1Christiansted, VIWSVI8.1ABCIon
January 1Asheville, NCWLOS13.3GritAntenna TV
February 1Nashville, TNWKRN-DT22.2WeatherMeTV
February 1Johnson City, TN/Tri-Cities, TN/VAWJHL-DT211.2MeTVABC
February 1Kingsport, TN/Tri-Cities, TN/VAWKPT-TV19.1ABCMyNetworkTV
February 1Kingsport, TN/Tri-Cities, TN/VAWAPK-CD36.1MyNetworkTVMeTV
February 29Raleigh/Durham, NCWRAL-TV5.1CBSNBC
February 29Raleigh/Durham, NCWNCN17.1NBCCBS
June 1Lawrence, MAWMFP62.1Cozi TVSonlife Broadcasting Network
July 1Hagerstown, MDWHAG-TV25.1NBCIndependent/Heroes & Icons
August 1Peoria, ILWHOI19.1ABCComet
August 1Fort Wayne, INWPTA-DT221.2The CWNBC
August 1Fort Wayne, INWPTA-DT321.3Weather RadarMyNetworkTV
August 1Fort Wayne, INWISE-TV33.1NBCThe CW
August 1Fort Wayne, INWISE-DT233.2MyNetworkTVWeather Radar
August 1South Bend, INWSBT-DT222.2IndependentFox
August 1South Bend, INWSJV28.1FoxHeroes & Icons
August 1Duluth, MNKDLH3.1CBSThe CW
August 1Duluth, MNKBJR-DT26.2MyNetworkTVCBS
September 1Chicago, ILWGN-TV9.1The CWIndependent
September 1Chicago, ILWPWR-TV50.1MyNetworkTVThe CW
September 1Watertown, NYWNYF-CD228.2CBS
MeTV
September 1Fort Worth-Dallas, TXKFWD52.1MundoMaxSonLife Broadcasting Network
September 1Jackson, MSWJTV-DT312.3Antenna TVIon
September 12Savannah, GAWSAV-DT23.2MyNetworkTV/MeTVThe CW
September 12Savannah, GAWSAV-DT33.3WeatherMyNetworkTV/MeTV
September 12Savannah, GAWGSA35.1The CWIndependent
September 12Waterloo/Iowa City, IAKWWL-DT27.2This TVThe CW
September 12Waterloo/Iowa City, IAKWKB20.1The CWThis TV
September 12Alexandria, LAKBCA41.1The CWHeroes & Icons
September 12Madison/Janesville, WIWMTV-DT215.2WeatherNation TVThe CW
September 12Madison/Janesville, WIWIFS57.1The CWIndependent
October 1Indianapolis, INWRTV-DT26.2HTSN
Grit
November 1St. Joseph, MOKBJO-LD21.1The CW

NBC
November 1White House/Nashville, TNWKUW-LD40.3EscapeAmerican Sports Network
December 1Clovis/Fresno, CAKGMC43.1MundoMaxEstrella TV
December 1Fort Myers/Naples, FLWXCW-DT2/346.2/3MundoMaxEstrella TV
December 1Fort Myers/Naples, FLWGPS-LP22.1Estrella TVCozi TV
December 1Los Angeles, CAKWHY-TV22.1MundoMaxIndependent
December 1Miami/Fort Lauderdale, FLWGEN-TV8.1MundoMaxAzteca
December 1Miami/Fort Lauderdale, FLWDGT-LD24.1AztecaJustice Network
December 1Philadelphia, PAWPSJ-CD8.1MundoMaxSonLife Broadcasting Network
December 1Phoenix/Kingman, AZKMOH-TV6.1MundoMaxAmérica Tevé
December 1Santa Barbara-Santa Maria, CAKSBT-LD32.1MundoMaxIndependent
December 1Santa Barbara-Santa Maria, CAKWSM-LP32.1SonLife Broadcasting NetworkEstrella TV
December 1Springfield, MOKRFT-LD8.1MundoMaxRetro TV

Deaths