After a Monday holiday that mostly featured reruns and special programming, television networks return with fresh content on Tuesday, January 20. Viewers face the familiar dilemma: with so many options across broadcast and streaming platforms, which programs deserve your valuable evening hours? Whether you're settling in after a long day of work, classes, or other responsibilities, this comprehensive guide will help you navigate tonight's television landscape and identify the most compelling viewing choices.
The broadcast networks present a mixed bag of new episodes, sports coverage, and repeats. While some channels offer substantial fresh programming blocks, others lean on familiar reruns. Let's examine what each major network has planned for your evening entertainment.
ABC dominates the night with an impressive three-hour block of original procedural dramas. From 8:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. Eastern Time, the network serves up consecutive new episodes of its popular crime and investigation series. This represents the most robust lineup of new content across all broadcast channels tonight.
At 8:00 p.m., Will Trent returns with a fresh case that will likely test the brilliant but troubled special agent's unique investigative methods. Following directly at 9:00 p.m., High Potential continues its successful run, offering viewers another opportunity to see the single mom-turned-consultant solve crimes using her exceptional intellect. The evening culminates at 10:00 p.m. with The Rookie, which holds special significance tonight as it marks the show's final Tuesday broadcast. Beginning next week, the long-running police drama moves to Monday nights, making this episode a transitional moment for loyal fans who have followed the series through its Tuesday time slot.
This ABC trifecta creates a compelling reason to commit your entire evening to one network, particularly if you enjoy interconnected crime-solving narratives with strong character development. The seamless three-hour viewing experience allows for deep immersion in the network's procedural universe without channel-switching interruptions.
NBC takes a different approach, dedicating its prime-time schedule to live sports. At 8:00 p.m. ET, the network broadcasts an NBA matchup between the San Antonio Spurs and Houston Rockets. Basketball enthusiasts will appreciate this Western Conference showdown, while fans of scripted entertainment will need to look elsewhere for their drama fix. The game coverage extends through the evening, leaving no room for new scripted programming on NBC tonight.
CBS offers minimal new content, making it a less attractive destination for viewers seeking fresh material. The network's sole original program is a new episode of Harlan Coben's Final Twist at 8:00 p.m. After that, CBS fills its schedule with repeats of NCIS at 9:00 p.m. and NCIS: Origins at 10:00 p.m. While these reruns might appeal to viewers who missed these episodes previously or want to revisit familiar storylines, they don't contribute to tonight's "new content" landscape.
FOX provides a solid alternative for medical drama fans. The network presents a double feature of its healthcare-focused series, starting at 8:00 p.m. with a new episode of Best Medicine, followed by Doc at 9:00 p.m. This two-hour block offers a consistent theme for viewers who appreciate the emotional and professional challenges of medical professionals. Both shows have developed dedicated followings and tonight's episodes promise the blend of personal stakes and medical mysteries that define the genre.
Streaming platforms also join the fray. Netflix quietly launches a significant addition to the reality competition genre. The newly rebooted Star Search premieres at 9:00 p.m., offering a modern take on the classic talent competition format. This timing is particularly strategic, arriving during a period when many reality competition shows are between seasons. The platform plans an aggressive rollout, with a second live show scheduled for tomorrow night, suggesting confidence in the format's ability to capture audience attention.
For viewers seeking guidance on optimizing their viewing schedule, several strategic approaches emerge based on your entertainment preferences.
If you follow all three ABC procedurals, the optimal choice is clear: dedicate your evening to the network's complete programming block. This approach eliminates decision fatigue and provides a cohesive viewing experience. The narrative continuity across three hours of related content creates a satisfying television marathon that rewards loyal viewers.
For medical drama enthusiasts, FOX's two-hour block presents a compelling alternative. The back-to-back new episodes of Best Medicine and Doc offer sufficient fresh content to anchor your evening, with the option to switch to ABC at 10:00 p.m. for The Rookie if you want to extend your viewing session.
Sports fans have a straightforward decision with NBC's NBA coverage. The Spurs-Rockets game provides live, unpredictable entertainment that contrasts with scripted programming's predetermined narratives.
Reality competition viewers should mark Netflix's Star Search premiere on their calendars. The 9:00 p.m. start time allows for an hour of other programming beforehand—perhaps Will Trent on ABC—before diving into the talent search format.
Those who appreciate crime thrillers but prefer limited viewing commitments might sample Harlan Coben's Final Twist on CBS at 8:00 p.m., then switch to ABC for High Potential and The Rookie, effectively curating a personalized crime drama lineup.
The best overall value for general audiences likely resides with ABC's three-show block. This programming strategy represents the network's confidence in its procedural lineup and provides the most substantial quantity of new, high-quality content. The fact that The Rookie's Tuesday run concludes tonight adds a layer of historical significance for viewers who have followed the show's trajectory.
However, the fragmented nature of tonight's offerings across networks highlights the modern television ecosystem's challenges. Viewers must actively curate their experience rather than passively consuming whatever a single channel provides. This curation requires awareness of start times, content types, and personal preferences—a far cry from the era when families gathered around a single set for the evening's programming.
The streaming component adds another dimension to tonight's viewing equation. Netflix's Star Search premiere demonstrates how platforms strategically schedule releases to compete with traditional broadcast windows. The 9:00 p.m. placement directly challenges broadcast networks' second hour of prime time, forcing viewers to choose between live, linear television and on-demand streaming.
For those who prioritize flexibility, many of tonight's broadcast episodes will appear on Hulu and network apps tomorrow. This availability reduces the pressure to watch live, though it introduces spoiler risks for popular series. The Rookie's time slot change, for instance, will likely generate social media discussion that same-night viewers can participate in, while delayed viewers must navigate carefully to avoid plot revelations.
Practical considerations should also influence your decision. The three-hour ABC commitment requires significant time investment. If your evening includes other responsibilities or an early morning, you might selectively watch one or two episodes rather than the complete block. The Rookie's final Tuesday episode might warrant priority for fans wanting to experience the moment in real-time.
Alternatively, FOX's two-hour medical drama block provides a slightly shorter but equally engaging option. The self-contained nature of medical procedurals often makes them more accessible for viewers who haven't followed every episode, reducing the barrier to entry for casual viewers.
The NBA game on NBC offers the most flexible viewing experience. Sports broadcasts allow for multitasking, partial viewing, and background entertainment in ways that scripted dramas do not. You can check in periodically without losing narrative thread, making it ideal for busy households.
Ultimately, tonight's television landscape rewards intentional viewing. The absence of universal "must-watch" events across all networks means you can tailor your evening to your specific tastes without fear of missing out on a single cultural phenomenon. This fragmentation, while sometimes overwhelming, empowers viewers to construct personalized entertainment experiences.
The key takeaway for January 20: ABC delivers the most comprehensive new content package, FOX serves medical drama fans well, NBC caters to sports enthusiasts, CBS offers limited fresh options, and Netflix provides a streaming alternative for reality competition lovers. Your ideal evening depends on which of these profiles aligns with your preferences and schedule.
As television continues evolving toward a hybrid broadcast-streaming model, nights like tonight demonstrate both the opportunities and challenges of choice abundance. The networks' varied strategies—ABC's block programming, NBC's sports focus, CBS's conservative repeat-heavy approach, FOX's genre concentration, and Netflix's targeted premiere—reflect different philosophies about capturing modern audiences.
Whatever you choose, tonight's lineup ensures that quality entertainment awaits across multiple platforms and formats. The golden age of television may have fragmented the audience, but it certainly hasn't reduced the volume of compelling content vying for your attention.