January in Middle Tennessee has a specific kind of bite. It's that damp, bone-chilling cold that makes the neon on Broadway look a little sharper and the idea of staying on the couch feel like a moral imperative. If you're looking for what’s on tv tonight Nashville, you’re probably trying to navigate the weird transition from the holiday hangover into the thick of the winter season.
Honestly? It's a busy night for the local airwaves. Whether you're pulling signal from an antenna in East Nashville or scrolling through a digital guide in Franklin, the lineup for Wednesday, January 14, 2026, is surprisingly stacked. We've got a mix of high-stakes college hoops, the usual suspects in the late-night circuit, and some local government programming that—believe it or not—actually impacts your property taxes.
The Local Heavy Hitters: News and Late Night
Nashville's "Big Three" local affiliates—WKRN (ABC 2), WSMV (NBC 4), and WTVF (CBS 5)—are sticking to their reliable rhythms. By 10:00 PM, the local news cycle hits hard. Expect a lot of talk about the "Hot Chicken Week" festivities kicking off around town and probably some weather updates concerning that frost line moving through Davidson County.
But once the news wraps at 10:35 PM, the vibe shifts.
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- WSMV 4 (NBC): The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon is featuring Kristen Wiig tonight. If you’ve spent any time in the Nashville improv scene, you know her timing is basically the gold standard.
- WTVF 5 (CBS): The Late Show with Stephen Colbert remains the go-to for the more politically minded residents of the 615.
- WKRN 2 (ABC): Jimmy Kimmel is holding down the fort for the West Coast transplant crowd.
Sports: Big East Battles and Predator Prep
If you aren't at Bridgestone Arena or watching the Preds on a delay, your sports fix tonight is coming from the hardwood. TNT Sports is dominating the mid-evening slot with a double-header that matters for any local bracketologists.
We’re looking at DePaul taking on UConn followed by Villanova vs. Marquette. For those who follow the Belmont or Vandy circuit, seeing how these Big East powerhouses move the ball is a solid way to spend a Wednesday night.
Why the Metro Nashville Network Actually Matters
Look, I get it. Most people skip past the government channels. But on tv tonight Nashville includes some interesting feeds on the Metro Nashville Network (Comcast Channel 3). They are running a replay of the Mayor’s News Conference and the Traffic & Parking Commission meeting.
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If you’re tired of the construction on 8th Avenue or wondering why your favorite cut-through in Sylvan Park is now a one-way, this is where the actual answers are. It’s not "prestige TV," but it's the most "Nashville" thing you can watch.
The Nostalgia Loop: Retro TV in the 615
Nashville has a massive audience for over-the-air (OTA) subchannels. If you have a decent digital antenna, you’re probably spending your night on Antenna TV or TV Land.
The schedule for tonight is a trip down memory lane. We’re talking back-to-back King of Queens and Seinfeld on TV Land starting around 10:00 PM. Specifically, the "Soup Nazi" episode of Seinfeld is slated for 11:30 PM. It’s a classic for a reason.
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Over on Antenna TV, there's a bit of a local Easter egg. At 3:00 AM (for the true night owls or the hospitality workers just getting off their shifts), they are airing the Designing Women episode titled "Nashville Bound." It’s dated, sure, but seeing the 80s-era take on Music City is always worth a laugh.
Streaming vs. Linear: The Great Nashville Debate
Kinda feels like everyone in town is arguing over which streaming service to keep. But for tonight’s linear broadcast, the real value is in the "live" aspect. You can’t replicate the feeling of watching a local news anchor break down a traffic jam on I-24 in real-time.
If you're looking for more than just the standard grid, check out:
- Nashville PBS (WNPT): They are featuring Tennessee Crossroads. It’s basically the ultimate guide to hidden gem diners across the state.
- MTV: For the younger crowd (or those who refuse to grow up), there’s a marathon of Caught in the Act: Unfaithful running through the night.
Actionable Next Steps
To get the most out of your viewing tonight, don't just aimlessly scroll. Here is how to actually find what you need:
- Rescan your antenna: If you haven't done this in the last month, you're probably missing at least two subchannels. Nashville's digital landscape changes fast.
- Check the Metro Network online: If you don't have Comcast, you can stream the local commission meetings via the Nashville.gov YouTube channel.
- Sync your DVR: If you’re a basketball fan, set the recording for 15 minutes past the scheduled end time. Big East games are notorious for late-game fouls that stretch the broadcast.
The reality of being a viewer in Nashville right now is that we are spoiled for choice. From the songwriters' stories on the "Southern Rounds" live streams to the local news teams keeping us updated on the latest development in the Gulch, there's always something worth a look. Grab a local brew, hunker down, and enjoy the show.