You’re trying to catch the local news, but the Seahawks game ran long, or maybe you just can’t remember if Evening starts at 7:00 or 7:30. It’s a common Seattle struggle. Honestly, the king 5 schedule seattle residents rely on has become a bit of a moving target lately with the rise of streaming-only blocks and sports preemptions.
Most people think they can just flip on Channel 5 and see the same thing every day. That's not really how it works anymore.
The Core Weekday Grind: Morning to Night
If you're a creature of habit, the morning block is your best friend. KING 5 News starts incredibly early. We're talking 4:30 AM early. For most of us, that's just a "too early" siren, but for commuters heading into South Lake Union or down to Tacoma, it's the only way to see if the I-5 is currently a parking lot.
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The morning news runs straight through until 7:00 AM. That’s when Today takes over the national feed. But here’s the kicker: they jump back to local updates every half hour.
Mid-Day and the "New Day" Slot
At 11:00 AM, things switch gears. You’ve got New Day Northwest with Kelly Hanson. It's the city's top-rated morning talk show, and it basically serves as a hub for local chefs, authors, and whatever tech entrepreneur just launched a startup in Bellevue.
Lunchtime news hits at noon. It’s short. It’s punchy. It’s usually over before you’ve finished your sandwich.
The Afternoon Rush
The late afternoon is where the schedule gets dense.
- 4:00 PM: KING 5 News at 4 (Often focuses on deeper investigative pieces).
- 5:00 PM: The heavy-hitter hour for local breaking news.
- 6:30 PM: NBC Nightly News with Lester Holt (National focus).
- 7:00 PM: KING 5 News at 7 (The "second look" at the day's events).
Why Everyone Misses "Evening"
The show Evening is a Pacific Northwest institution. It’s been on the air for over 30 years, but people still get the time wrong. It airs at 7:30 PM on weeknights.
If you’re looking for things to do in the Sound or want to see a feature on a hidden waterfall in the Cascades, this is the slot. It’s not "news" in the sense of crime and politics—it’s more like a love letter to Washington State.
The Weekend Shift: Seahawks and Sports
Weekends are a totally different animal. Because KING 5 is an NBC affiliate, the king 5 schedule seattle viewers see on Saturdays and Sundays is often dictated by the NFL or Notre Dame football.
During the 2026 season, the Seahawks have frequently occupied the prime-time slots. For example, when the Hawks played the 49ers recently in the NFC divisional playoffs, the local news was pushed way back to 11:30 PM or even midnight depending on the post-game coverage.
Digital vs. Broadcast: The 2026 Reality
Kinda crazy, but you don't even need a TV to follow the schedule now. The KING 5+ app on Roku, Amazon Fire, and Apple TV has its own unique programming.
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Sometimes they stream "KING 5+ exclusives" during times when the main channel is showing infomercials or syndicated reruns. If you’re a cord-cutter, the live stream on their website is basically a mirror of the broadcast, but with some digital-only segments during the commercial breaks.
Common Schedule Misconceptions
- "The news is always on at 10 PM." Nope. That’s KONG (Channel 16) or the local FOX affiliate. KING 5 sticks to the 11:00 PM slot for its late-night wrap-up.
- "New Day Northwest is live every single day." Actually, they often tape segments in advance. If you see a guest wearing a heavy coat while it’s 70 degrees outside, you’ve caught a rerun or a pre-tape.
- "The schedule is the same on holidays." Not even close. On days like Martin Luther King Jr. Day or Labor Day, the morning news might start later, and they often run "Year in Review" or "Best of" specials in the Evening slot.
Actionable Tips for Staying Updated
Don't just guess. If you want the most accurate king 5 schedule seattle info right this second, follow these steps:
- Check the "TitanTV" listings: KING 5 officially directs users to TitanTV for the most granular, minute-by-minute updates that reflect sports delays.
- Download the App: Text "APP" to (206) 448-4545. It’s the fastest way to get a notification if the 11 PM news is going to be late because of a game.
- Watch the "KING 5+" Channel: If the main broadcast is interrupted by national breaking news, the local team often keeps broadcasting on the streaming-only plus channel.
- Use the Weather Blog: For schedule changes related to "Snowmageddon" or major storms, the meteorologists usually post timing updates on their specific blog before the main site updates the TV grid.
The best way to never miss a show is to treat the broadcast schedule as a guide, but the digital app as the source of truth. Between Seahawks playoffs and breaking news from Olympia, the 2026 season has proven that flexibility is key for any Seattle viewer.