# 1996 in Philippine television

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The following is a list of events affecting Philippine television in 1996. Events listed include television show debuts, finales, cancellations, and channel launches, closures and rebrandings, as well as information about controversies and carriage disputes.

## Events

* March 11 - RPN debuts the series premiere of MariMar, which would begin an era of Latino drama broadcasts in Philippine television.
* May 1 - The ABS-CBN News Channel (ANC) was officially launched as the Sarimanok News Network (SNN).
* May 6 - Pinoy Box Office was officially launched as the Viva Cinema.
* July 30 – Tito, Vic & Joey celebrated the 17th Anniversary of Eat Bulaga!.
* October 12 - Studio 23 (now S+A) was officially launched, until its closure on January 16, 2014.

### Unknown dates

* Alice Galemit won ₱2,250,000 on Eat Bulaga!'s Lottong Bahay.

## Premieres

| Date | Show |
| February 12 | TV Patrol General Santos on ABS-CBN TV-3 General Santos |
| February 18 | Sunday's Big Showdown on IBC 13 |
| February 19 | Monday's Movie Magic on IBC 13 |
| February 19 | Hot Stuff on IBC 13 |
| February 19 | Cool Detective on IBC 13 |
| February 19 | The Equalizer on IBC 13 |
| February 20 | MVTV on IBC 13 |
| February 21 | Cinema Scoop on IBC 13 |
| February 21 | Jiban on IBC 13 |
| February 21 | The Naked Truth on IBC 13 |
| February 21 | The Single Guy on IBC 13 |
| February 22 | Premier Night Telecine on IBC 13 |
| February 22 | Pillow Talk on IBC 13 |
| February 22 | Hollywood Nights on IBC 13 |
| February 22 | Amazing Stories on IBC 13 |
| February 22 | Party of Five on IBC 13 |
| February 23 | Rated E on IBC 13 |
| March 4 | Blow by Blow on IBC 13 |
| March 11 | MariMar on RPN 9 |
| March 12 | The Neverending Story on RPN 9 |
| March 12 | Kung Fu: The Legend Continues on RPN 9 |
| March 13 | Friends on ABC 5 |
| March 13 | Extreme on ABC 5 |
| March 13 | Something Wilder on ABC 5 |
| March 21 | SeaQuest 2032 on RPN 9 |
| March 21 | Chicago Hope on RPN 9 |
| April 7 | Sunday Night Specials on ABC 5 |
| April 8 | Lyra on GMA 7 |
| April 12 | Friday Box Office on ABC 5 |
| April 13 | Saturday Night Blockbusters on ABC 5 |
| April 15 | Tierra Sangre on PTV 4 |
| April 15 | Mukha ng Buhay on PTV 4 |
| April 15 | Kris on PTV 4 |
| April 27 | Creepy Crawlers on ABC 5 |
| April 28 | Familia Zaragoza on ABS-CBN 2 |
| May 5 | Partners Mel and Jay on GMA 7 |
| May 6 | D.A.T.S. on GMA 7 |
| May 9 | Usapang Business on ABS-CBN 2 |
| May 12 | Super Games on GMA 7 |
| May 12 | Eezy Dancing on ABC 5 |
| May 13 | Good Evening Please on ABC 5 |
| May 18 | Wild About Wheels on ABC 5 |
| May 20 | Balitang K on ABS-CBN 2 |
| May 24 | XYZ: Young Women's TV on PTV 4 |
| May 25 | Super Laff-In on ABS-CBN 2 |
| May 25 | Wow Mali on ABC 5 |
| May 26 | Love Bytes on ABC 5 |
| June 1 | ABS-CBN Weekend News on ABS-CBN 2 |
| June 3 | Alas Singko Y Medya on ABS-CBN 2 |
| June 15 | Gimik on ABS-CBN 2 |
| July 1 | TV Patrol Naga on ABS-CBN TV-11 Naga |
| July 8 | Dateline Philippines on Sarimanok News Network (now ANC) |
| July 22 | María Mercedes on ABS-CBN 2 |
| July 22 | South of Sunset on ABC 5 |
| August 3 | Central Park West on RPN 9 |
| August 8 | Babylon 5 on RPN 9 |
| August 11 | Space: Above and Beyond on RPN 9 |
| August 12 | ETChing: Entertainment Today with Lyn Ching on GMA 7 |
| August 12 | Mia Gracia on GMA 7 |
| August 12 | Kris on GMA 7 |
| August 12 | Tierra Sangre on RPN 9 |
| August 12 | Mukha ng Buhay on RPN 9 |
| August 26 | Acapulco, Cuerpo y Alma on RPN 9 |
| September 2 | Cancion de Amor on RPN 9 |
| September 2 | Mary and the Secret Garden on ABS-CBN 2 |
| September 2 | The Quantum Channel on ABS-CBN 2 |
| September 6 | Turborangers on ABC 5 |
| September 10 | 1896 on ABC 5 |
| October 7 | TV Patrol Dagupan on ABS-CBN TV-32 Dagupan |
| October 11 | Mighty Morphin Alien Rangers on ABS-CBN 2 |
| October 14 | Simplemente Maria on RPN 9 |
| October 14 | News 23 on Studio 23 |
| November 9 | Ora Engkantada on RPN 9 |
| November 10 | Anna Karenina on GMA 7 |
| November 11 | Agujetas de Color de Rosa on GMA 7 |
| November 11 | Ms. D! on GMA 7 |
| November 11 | Flames on ABS-CBN 2 |
| November 18 | Today with Kris Aquino on ABS-CBN 2 |
| November 28 | Public Life with Randy David on GMA 7 |
| December 1 | Next on GMA 7 |
| December 9 | GoBingo on GMA 7 |

### Unknown

* Cyber Jam on SBN 21
* SBN Live on SBN 21
* SBN Karaoke on SBN 21
* Lihim ng Gabi on GMA 7
* Bilibitornot on GMA 7
* PG (Parents Guide) on GMA 7
* Special Engagement on GMA 7
* 1896 Kalayaan on GMA 7
* Earthlink on ABS-CBN 2
* Powerline on ABS-CBN 2
* Guni Guni on ABC 5
* Home Sweet Haus on ABC 5
* Que Horror on ABC 5
* Chinese Variety Show on ABC 5
* O-gag on ABC 5
* Dial M on PTV 4
* Dighay Bayan on PTV 4
* Muay Thai on PTV 4
* Better Home Ideas on RPN 9
* Veggie, Meaty & Me on RPN 9
* Nap Knock on RPN 9
* Let's Dance with Becky Garcia on RPN 9
* Good Morning Misis! on RPN 9
* Star Search sa 9 on RPN 9
* Back To Back on RPN 9
* Life In The Word on RPN 9
* Nap Knock on RPN 9
* Isumbong Mo Kay Tulfo on RPN 9
* The Quantum Channel on RPN 9
* Winspector on IBC 13
* PSE Live: The Stock Market Today on IBC 13
* Usisera-Intrigera on IBC 13
* Mag Smile Club Na! on IBC 13
* Sky Ranger Gavan on IBC 13
* Ilusiones on ABS-CBN 2
* Lazos de Amor on ABS-CBN 2
* Pollyanna on ABS-CBN 2
* Magic Knight Rayearth on ABS-CBN 2
* Little Women on ABS-CBN 2
* Neon Genesis Evangelion on ABC 5
* Eto Rangers on ABC 5
* Battle Ball on IBC 13
* Dragon Quest on IBC 13
* Ranma ½ on RPN 9
* Free Willy on ABC 5
* The Twisted Tales of Felix the Cat on ABC 5
* Jetman on PTV 4
* Hana Yori Dango on ABS-CBN 2
* Iris, The Happy Professor on ABS-CBN 2
* Janperson on ABS-CBN 2
* ER on ABC 5
* Frasier on ABC 5
* Friends on ABC 5
* Touched by an Angel on ABC 5
* Morena Clara on ABC 5
* X-Men on ABC 5

## Programs transferring networks

| Date | Show | No. of seasons | Moved from | Moved to |
| February 18 | Philippine Basketball Association | 22 | PTV 4 | VTV (IBC 13) |
| March 4 | Blow by Blow | — | PTV 4 | VTV (IBC 13) |
| May 5 | Mel & Jay | — | ABS-CBN | GMA Network (retitled as Partners Mel and Jay) |
| July 21 | National Collegiate Athletic Association | 72 | PTV 4 | VTV (IBC 13) |
| August 12 | Tierra Sangre | — | PTV 4 | RPN 9 |
| August 12 | Mukha ng Buhay | — | PTV 4 | RPN 9 |
| August 12 | Kris | — | PTV 4 | GMA Network |
| October 14 | Oprah | — | RPN 9 | Studio 23 |
| November 7 | National Basketball Association | — | GMA Network / Citynet 27 | VTV (IBC 13) |
| Unknown | Sky Ranger Gavan | — | ABC 5 | VTV (IBC 13) |
| Unknown | Pollyanna | — | ABC 5 | ABS-CBN |
| Unknown | Better Home Ideas | — | ABC 5 | RPN 9 |
| Unknown | Metro Manila Popular Music Festival | — | MBS 4 (now PTV 4) / RPN 9 | GMA Network (retitled as Metropop Song Festival) |

## Finales

* February 24: Sky Ranger Gavan on ABC 5
* February 27:
** Inside Showbiz on GMA 7
** Batang X sa TV on ABC 5
* March 31:
** Mel & Jay on ABS-CBN 2
** Sunday Night Special on ABC 5
* May 3: That's Entertainment on GMA 7
* May 31:
** Asia Business News on ABS-CBN 2
** Magandang Umaga Po on ABS-CBN 2
* June 8: Game Na Game Na! on ABS-CBN 2
* August 2: Mother Studio Presents on GMA 7
* August 9:
** Tierra Sangre on PTV 4
** Mukha ng Buhay on PTV 4
** Kris on PTV 4
** Kadenang Kristal on GMA 7
** Eye to Eye on GMA 7
* September 1: Lovingly Yours on GMA 7
* October 25: Kris on GMA 7
* November 8: D.A.T.S. on GMA 7

### Unknown date

* February: Blow by Blow on PTV 4

### Unknown

* Liberty on TV on GMA 7
* Profiles Of Power on GMA 7
* Sounds Family on GMA 7
* FPJ sa GMA on GMA 7
* 1896 Kalayaan on GMA 7
* World TV Mag on World TV 21
* Lente on ABC 5
* Small Wonder on ABC 5
* Action Theater on ABC 5
* Better Home Ideas on ABC 5
* Kada on ABC 5
* P.O.P.S.: Pops On Primetime Saturday on ABC 5
* 1896 on ABC 5
* Guni Guni on ABC 5
* Home Sweet Haus on ABC 5
* Hope Top of the Hour News on ABC 5
* Isang Tanong, Isang Sagot! on ABC 5
* Nora Aunor Sunday Drama Special on ABC 5
* Movie Greats on ABS-CBN 2
* Carol En Cosme on ABS-CBN 2
* Bayan Ko, Sagot Ko on ABS-CBN 2
* Movie Greats on ABS-CBN 2
* Konsumer Korner on IBC 13
* P.Y. (Praise Youth) on IBC 13
* T.A.H.O (Tawanan at Awitan kay Hesus Oras-oras) on IBC 13
* Usisera-Intrigera on IBC 13
* PPP: Piling Piling Pelikula on IBC 13
* Lumayo Ka Man on RPN 9
* Chibugan Na! on RPN 9
* Actually, Yun Na! on RPN 9
* Back To Back on RPN 9
* Star Smile Factory on RPN 9
* Veggie, Meaty & Me on RPN 9
* Race Weekend on PTV 4
* Pollyanna on ABS-CBN 2
* Little Women on ABS-CBN 2
* Si Mary at Ang Lihim na Hardin on ABS-CBN 2
* X-Men on ABS-CBN 2
* Eto Rangers on ABC 5
* Walker, Texas Ranger on GMA 7
* Morena Clara on ABC 5
* Small Wonder on ABC 5
* The Pink Panther on ABC 5
* The Ruff and Reddy Show on ABC 5
* Yaiba on ABC 5

## Networks
### Launches

* May 6: Viva Cinema
* July 10: Sarimanok News Network
* October 12: Studio 23

### Closures

* December 31: Sky Movies (Sign-On debut on January 26, 1992)

## Births

* January 3 - Baninay Bautista
* January 4 - Joshua Colet, actor and model
* January 6 - Elisse Joson, actress, model and endorser
* January 15 - Julian Estrada, actor
* January 22 – Khalil Ramos, actor and singer
* February 3 – Rhap Salazar, singer, songwriter and actor
* February 19 – Jackielyn Esmeralda, broadcaster of reporter and anchor (former actress, TV host and singer)
* March 17 – Dante Inosanto, TV Host, actor and singer
* March 26 – Kathryn Bernardo, actress and singer
* March 29 – Erin Ocampo, TV Host, singer, dancer and actress
* April 3 - Jonathan Celestino, actor, dancer and TV host
* April 12 - Charlie Dizon, actress and dancer
* April 22 - Angelica Mauricio, actress and model
* April 29 – Rebecca Chiongbian, actress
* May 10 - Anjo Damiles, actor
* May 14 - Jessica Villarubin
* May 21 – Jay Arcilla, actor
* May 27 - Rico dela Paz, actor
* June 2 - Morissette, singer, songwriter, and actress
* June 9 - Marvelous Alejo, actress and singer
* July 20 - Sue Ramirez, actress
* July 22 – Jane Oineza, actress
* July 23 – Viy Cortez, vlogger
* August 3 –
** Kristoffer Horace Neudeck, actor and model
** Anikka Dela Cruz
* August 9 – Sanya Lopez, actress
* August 13 - Thea Tolentino, actress
* August 15 - Chienna Filomeno, actress, dancer and TV Host
* August 17 – Ella Cruz, actress
* August 24 – Faye Lorenzo
* August 31 – Eugene Herrera, actor and swimmer
* September 8 – Krystal Reyes, actress
* September 13 – CJ Navato, actor
* September 21 – Cecille Escolano, actress, dancer and TV Host
* September 27 – Remedy Rule, swimmer
* October 9 - Vincent Manlapaz, actor, dancer and TV Host
* October 17 – Karen Reyes, actress
* October 26 – Ronnie Alonte, actor and singer
* November 4 – Michael Christian Martinez, figure skater
* November 7 – Luke Gebbie, swimmer
* November 14 – Rabiya Mateo
* November 17 - Felicia Monteloyola, singer, dancer, actress and TV host
* November 28 –
** Claire Bercero, actress and dancer
** Tom Doromal, actor, dancer and TV Host
* December 7 – Kamille Filoteo, dancer, singer and TV Host
* December 11 – Kelly Day, actress, model, singer, dancer, TV Host
* December 22 -
** Joao Constancia, actor, dancer and singer
** Makisig Morales, actor and singer
* December 25 - Ivana Alawi, actress

## Deaths

* May 19
** Eruel Tongco, actor
** Ireneo Sevilla, actress
** Joy Clarise Cojuangco, actress
** Bienvenido Dela Rosa, actor
* June 2 - Ishmael Bernal, Filipino film, stage and television director, actor
* November 27 - Balot, comedian, film, television and stage actor