Waking up in Chicago means two things: debating whether you actually need that extra layer for the Lake Shore Drive wind and checking what’s happening on Channel 2. WBBM-TV has been a staple here since your grandparents were kids, but let's be honest, trying to pin down the exact channel 2 chicago schedule can feel like a moving target. Between the NFL playoffs taking over Sundays and the midseason shuffle of 2026, you can't just assume The Price Is Right is where it used to be.
We’ve all been there. You sit down with a coffee, expecting the news, and suddenly you’re watching pickleball. Or worse, you miss the first ten minutes of 60 Minutes because a game went into overtime.
The Sunday Shakeup: January 18, 2026
Today is a weird one. If you’re looking for the channel 2 chicago schedule for Sunday, January 18, 2026, it’s heavily weighted toward sports and prestige news. Sunday mornings on CBS 2 usually belong to the icons. CBS News Sunday Morning kicked things off at 9:00 AM with Jane Pauley—honestly, is there a better way to start a Sunday? This morning featured a deep dive into Stellan Skarsgård and a segment on the Highpointers Club.
Right after that, at 10:30 AM, Face the Nation took over. In the current 2026 political climate, Margaret Brennan’s interviews with Kristi Noem and Mark Warner are basically mandatory viewing for anyone trying to keep up with the noise.
Then things got sporty.
Because it’s mid-January, the afternoon is a bit of a marathon. We saw PPA Tour Pickleball at noon, followed by PBR Bull Riding from Milwaukee at 2:00 PM. If you were looking for local news in the mid-afternoon, you probably noticed the gap. CBS 2 often clears the deck for these national broadcasts, which leads into the 3:00 PM SailGP Racing from Perth.
Tracking the Prime Time Heavyweights
The real "must-watch" TV starts when the sun goes down. Tonight, Sunday the 18th, the lineup is looking pretty solid for drama fans.
- 6:30 PM: CBS Evening News (The national desk takes over before the big guns come out).
- 7:00 PM: 60 Minutes. It’s the gold standard.
- 8:00 PM: Harlan Coben's Final Twist. This is the new kid on the block for 2026. It’s a true-crime inspired series that has been pulling in massive numbers since its January 7th premiere. Tonight's episode, "Billy & Billie Jean," looks into a social media-driven murder case.
- 9:00 PM: Tracker. Justin Hartley is still carrying the network on his back. Tonight’s episode is "First Fire."
- 10:00 PM: Sheriff Country. This is the Fire Country spin-off that everyone was skeptical about but now everyone watches.
Weekday Rhythm: Consistency is King
Once we hit Monday, January 19, the channel 2 chicago schedule settles back into its "real" routine. If you're a creature of habit, this is your zone.
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The early birds get CBS News Mornings starting at 5:00 AM, leading into the local news desk. At 7:00 AM, CBS Mornings takes the reigns. Today’s guest list includes Billy Bob Thornton and dermatologist Dr. Rachel Nazarian.
The daytime block is almost sacred in Chicago households. Let’s Make a Deal hits at 10:00 AM, followed by the legend itself, The Price Is Right, at 11:00 AM.
After the noon news, the soaps take over. The Young and the Restless is at 12:30 PM, and The Bold and the Beautiful follows at 1:30 PM. A new addition for 2026 that has people talking is Beyond the Gates at 2:00 PM. It’s a daytime soap that feels a bit more modern than the classics, and it’s finally finding its footing in the ratings.
The Local News Factor
The "2" in Channel 2 stands for more than just the dial position; it’s about the local anchors we see every day. Suzanne Le Mignot and Jim Williams are the faces people trust when the weather turns sour or a big story breaks in the Loop.
Usually, you can catch the local team at:
- 4:30 AM - 7:00 AM (The morning grind)
- 11:00 AM (The midday check-in)
- 5:00 PM and 6:00 PM (The dinner hour)
- 10:00 PM (The final word)
But here is the catch. In 2026, CBS Chicago has moved heavily into the "Always On" model. If you miss the 6:00 PM broadcast because you were stuck on the Kennedy, you don't have to wait for the 10:00 PM news. The CBS News Chicago streaming feed is integrated into the broadcast schedule, often filling gaps with rolling local coverage that you won't find on the national feed.
Why the Schedule Keeps Changing
People get frustrated when their show isn't on. I get it. But there’s a method to the madness. CBS is currently prepping for a massive late-February relaunch. We’re talking about Survivor 50. Yes, the 50th season. That premieres Wednesday, February 25, and it’s going to eat up a huge chunk of the prime-time block.
We’re also seeing new shows like CIA (from Dick Wolf) and Y: Marshals (the Yellowstone spin-off) set to debut in early March. Until then, the channel 2 chicago schedule is playing a bit of a "holding pattern" game with encores and reality specials.
Managing the NFL Overlap
If you’re a Bears fan, you already know the drill. When the Bears play on CBS, everything else is secondary. We’ve seen games like the Rams vs. Bears divisional matchup cause havoc with the Sunday night timings.
Pro tip: If a game is scheduled for a 3:25 PM kickoff, do not expect 60 Minutes to start at 6:00 PM. It’s almost certainly going to be pushed. The network tries to keep the schedule tight, but "football time" is its own dimension.
Actionable Tips for Chicago Viewers
Stop relying on the "Guide" button on your remote—it’s often 15 minutes behind reality during live sports.
If you want the most accurate channel 2 chicago schedule, the CBS Chicago website has a "Program Guide" section that updates in real-time when games go long. Also, if you’ve cut the cord, remember that Paramount+ carries the live WBBM-TV feed, but local blackouts can still apply for certain sporting events depending on your specific zip code in the suburbs.
Check the 10:00 PM news for the "First Alert Weather" forecast. In Chicago, the schedule matters, but knowing whether you'll be shoveling snow at 6:00 AM matters more.
Keep an eye on the Wednesday night slots as we move toward February. The shift from Hollywood Squares to America's Culinary Cup is going to change the vibe of the mid-week lineup significantly. For now, enjoy the consistency of the morning news team and keep the remote close during those Sunday afternoon sports transitions.