If you’re still relying on a printed TV guide or a static website to figure out what’s on tonight, honestly, you're probably missing half the good stuff. The san antonio television schedule has become this weird, fragmented beast that changes based on whether you're using a digital antenna, a cable box, or a streaming app like KSAT+.
Everything is in flux. San Antonio’s broadcast landscape in 2026 isn't just about the "Big Four" networks anymore. It’s a mix of local news marathons, hyper-local subchannels, and sports blackouts that can drive even the most patient Spurs fan crazy.
The Morning Grind: News vs. National Networks
Most people in the 210 start their day with either KSAT 12 or KENS 5. It’s basically a local tradition at this point. If you flip on the TV at 6:00 AM on a Wednesday like today, January 14, 2026, you're hitting the peak of the morning news rush.
KSAT 12 stays true to its "Expect More" branding with Good Morning San Antonio. They’ve leaned heavily into their digital presence, so if you miss the 6:00 AM broadcast, you’ll find them looping the top stories on their streaming platforms. Meanwhile, KENS 5 (the CBS affiliate) usually hands the baton over to CBS Mornings at 7:00 AM, but not before giving you the latest on San Antonio City Council's plans for the new downtown Missions stadium.
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Basically, if you want local weather and traffic, stay tuned before 7:00 AM. After that, most stations shift to national news or lifestyle shows like Great Day SA on KENS, which usually kicks off at 9:00 AM.
The Mystery of the Digital Subchannels
This is where the san antonio television schedule gets really interesting—and kinda confusing for some. If you’re using an antenna, you probably noticed a ton of channels like 4.2, 5.3, or 12.4.
These aren't throwaway channels. For example, KENS 5.3 is the True Crime Network, which is exactly what it sounds like—nonstop forensics and investigations. Then you’ve got 12.4, which carries Heroes & Icons. If you’re a fan of old-school TV or classic sci-fi, that’s your goldmine.
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- WOAI (NBC 4): Their 4.2 subchannel often runs The National News Desk, giving a broader look at the country while the main channel handles local updates.
- KLRN (PBS 9): They have multiple streams, including KLRN Create (9.3) for the DIY crowd and a dedicated 24/7 kids' channel on 9.4.
- Spanish Language Programming: Stations like KWEX (Univision 41) and KVDA (Telemundo 60) dominate the Spanish-language market here. They don't just show novelas; their local news blocks at 5:00 PM and 10:00 PM are some of the highest-rated segments in the city.
Sports Blackouts and Where to Find the Spurs
Watching the Spurs in 2026 is a whole different game. You’ve got the traditional broadcasts on KENS 5 for select weekend games—like the upcoming matchup against the Charlotte Hornets on Saturday, January 31, at 3:00 PM. But for the day-to-day grind, it’s a mess of regional sports networks and streaming.
A lot of the mid-week games are handled by FanDuel Sports Network Southwest (formerly Bally Sports). If you’re looking at the san antonio television schedule for a random Tuesday night, don't be surprised if the game isn't on "regular TV." You might need to check Peacock or Amazon Prime, as they've been snatching up more NBA rights lately.
One thing that still catches people off guard is the NFL schedule. Since we’re in January, the playoffs are the king of the airwaves. NBC is set to air a primetime NFL divisional playoff game this Sunday, January 18, at 6:30 PM. If the Cowboys are still in it, expect every sports bar from the Pearl to the Rim to be packed.
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Prime Time: The Battle for the Evening
By 7:00 PM, the schedule shifts into the big-budget stuff. Wednesday nights are usually heavy on procedurals and reality TV. FOX 29 (KABB) often sticks to its heavy hitters like The Masked Singer or whatever Gordon Ramsay show is currently stressing everyone out.
The 10:00 PM news remains a huge deal here. The "Nightbeat" on KSAT 12 and the 10:00 PM news on KENS 5 are the two big titans. If there’s a major event—like the recent protests over the removal of the rainbow crosswalks downtown—this is where you’ll see the full-length investigative pieces rather than just the soundbites you get on social media.
Actionable Tips for Navigating the Schedule
If you want to actually know what’s playing without clicking through a hundred menus, do this:
- Download the Station Apps: KSAT, KENS, and WOAI all have dedicated apps. They often stream their newscasts live, which is great if you’re away from your TV.
- Rescan Your Antenna: If you use an over-the-air antenna, rescan it every few months. Stations in San Antonio frequently shuffle their subchannels.
- Check the "Point One" Rule: Most major network programming (ABC, CBS, NBC, FOX) is always on the .1 channel (e.g., 12.1, 5.1). The .2 and .3 channels are where the niche stuff lives.
- Use a Digital TV Guide: Websites like TitanTV allow you to put in your San Antonio zip code and see exactly what's airing on every single subchannel, including the small ones you didn't know existed.
The san antonio television schedule isn't as simple as it used to be, but once you figure out the subchannel game and the streaming overlaps, you'll realize there's actually more to watch now than there ever was in the "cable-only" days.
To stay on top of daily changes, set up a custom filter on a digital listing site specifically for the 78201 or 78205 zip codes to get the most accurate local timing.