See also: 1954 in television, other events of 1955, 1956 in television and the list of 'years in television'.

Events

• April 1 - The DuMont Television network drastically cuts back its programming.
• June 29 - Life With The Lyons, the first successful British sitcom (though starring the American, Ben Lyon), debuts on BBC Television.
• September 22 - Commercial television starts in the UK (London area) - Associated-Rediffusion on weekdays, Associated Television Network Limited (ATV) at weekends.
• September 28 - The First World Series game broadcast in color.
• December 10 - The first Saturday morning cartoon show debuts on American television, The Mighty Mouse Playhouse .
• Harpo Marx makes a memorable appearance on I Love Lucy.
• The "Quiz Show" craze begins with the premiere of The $64,000 Question. The show spawns many copycats, including Twenty-One, which would later be the focus of a scandal that would lead to congressional hearings.

Debuts

• July 9 - Dixon of Dock Green debuts on BBC Television (1955-1976).
• July 29 - This Is Your Life debuts on BBC Television (1955-2003).
• September - Cheyenne debuts on ABC (1955-1962).
• October 2 - Alfred Hitchcock Presents debuts (1955-1962).
• Captain Kangaroo debuts (1955-1984).
• Gunsmoke debuts (1955-1975).
• Mickey Mouse Club debuts, featuring "Mouseketeer" Annette Funicello (1955-1959).
• Quatermass II, sequel to 1953's The Quatermass Experiment.
• The Honeymooners premieres, starring Jackie Gleason, Art Carney and Audrey Meadows (1955-1956) .
• The Lawrence Welk Show debuts (1955-1982).

Television shows

• Tom and Jerry (1940-1958, 1965-1972, 1975-1977, 1980-1982)
• Gillette Cavalcade of Sports (1946-1960)
• Howdy Doody (1947-1960)
• Kraft Television Theater (1947-1958)
• Meet the Press (1947-present)
• Candid Camera (1948-present)
• The Ed Sullivan Show (1948-1971)
• The Voice of Firestone (1949-1963)
• Cisco Kid (1950-1956)
• The George Burns and Gracie Allen Show (1950-1958)
• The Jack Benny Show (1950-1965)
• Truth or Consequences (1950-1988)
• What's My Line (1950-1967)
• Your Hit Parade (1950-1959)
• Dragnet (1951-1959)
• I Love Lucy (1951-1957)
• Love of Life (1951-1980)
• Search for Tomorrow (1951-1986)
• The Roy Rogers Show (1951-1957)
• American Bandstand (1952-1989)
• The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet (1952-1966)
• The Guiding Light (1952-present)
• The Honeymooners (1952-1970)
• The Today Show (1952-present)
• This Is Your Life (US) (1952-1961)
• Panorama (UK) (1953-present)
• The Good Old Days (UK) (1953-1983)
• Annie Oakley (1954-1957)
• Climax! (1954-1958)
• Disneyland (1954-1958)
• Face the Nation (1954-present)
• The Brighter Day (1954-1962)
• The Grove Family (UK) (1954-1957)
• The Milton Berle Show (1954-1967)
• The Secret Storm (1954-1974)
• The Tonight Show (1954-present)
• Zoo Quest (UK) (1954-1964)

Ending this year

• The Goldbergs (1949-1955).
• My Little Margie (1952-1955).

Births

• January 4 - Sally Tayler , actress.
• January 5 - Susan Wooldridge ,actress.
• January 12 - Kirstie Alley, actress.
• May 15 - Melinda Culea, actress.
• June 28 - Shirley Cheriton , actress.
• August 14 - Gillian Taylforth , actress.