1981 in German television

This is a list of German television related events from 1981.

Events

 * 28 February - Lena Valaitis is selected to represent Germany at the 1981 Eurovision Song Contest with her song "Johnny Blue". She is selected to be the twenty-sixth German Eurovision entry during Ein Lied für Dublin held at the BR Studios in Munich.

ARD

 * 27 March – Tour de Ruhr (1981)
 * 29 July – Kumpel mit Chauffeur (1981)
 * 19 September – Geantwortet wird immer (1981)
 * 29 September – Goldene Zeiten – Bittere Zeiten (1981–1984)
 * 14 October – Die Knapp-Familie (1981–1983)
 * 16 October – Cockpit (1981)
 * 27 October – Die Laurents (1981)
 * 3 November – Drunter und Drüber (1981)
 * 16 November – Der Gerichtsvollzieher (1981)
 * Unknown – Kintopp Kintopp (1981)

ZDF

 * 3 January –
 * Sternensommer (1981)
 * Ein zauberhaftes Biest (1981)
 * 18 January – Tod eines Schülers (1981)
 * 30 January – Tegtmeier klärt auf (1981–1983)
 * 5 February – Erben will gelernt sein  (1981)
 * 14 February – Wetten, dass..? (1981–2014)
 * 2 April – Frau über vierzig (1981)
 * 11 May – Der Fuchs von Övelgönne (1981)
 * 11 September – Ein Fall für zwei (1981–present)
 * 17 September – Onkel & Co (1981)
 * 20 September – Der Fall Maurizius (1981 miniseries) (1981)
 * 22 November – Das Traumschiff (1981–present)
 * 25 December – Silas (1981)

DFF

 * 1 January –  Das große Abenteuer des Kaspar Schmeck (1981)
 * 2 January –  Hochhausgeschichten (1981)
 * 17 April –  Verflucht und geliebt (1981)
 * 26 June –  Ein Engel im Taxi (1981)
 * 23 October – Jockei Monika (1981)
 * 19 December –  Feuerdrachen (1981)
 * 25 December – Der ungebetene Gast (1981)

International

 * 30 June - 🇺🇸 Dallas (1978-1991) (Das Erste)

Armed Forces Network

 * 🇺🇸 Hill Street Blues (1981-1987)

1950s

 * Tagesschau (1952–present)

1960s

 * heute (1963-present)

1970s

 * heute-journal (1978-present)
 * Tagesthemen (1978-present)

Ending this year

 * 11 November - Sun, Wine and Hard Nuts (1977-1981)

Births

 * 14 November - Janin Reinhardt, TV host & actress