You're probably used to The CW being the home of capes, teen angst, and vampires. But honestly, if you haven't checked the CW TV schedule tonight, you might be in for a bit of a shock. The network has undergone a massive identity shift over the last year. Gone are the days of endless superhero reboots; instead, we’re seeing a mix of sports, high-stakes game shows, and surprisingly cozy movie nights.
Tonight, Sunday, January 18, 2026, is a perfect example of this "new" CW. It’s less about the multiverse and more about magic and mid-2000s rom-com nostalgia.
What’s Actually on the CW TV Schedule Tonight?
If you're looking for the prime-time block, things kick off a bit earlier than usual for a Sunday.
At 7:00 PM ET/PT, the network is leaning into its reliable hit, Penn & Teller: Fool Us. Specifically, it’s an encore of "Four Fools and Counting..." from Season 9. You’ll see magicians like Yann Yuro and Helen Coghlan trying to stump the legendary duo. It’s a smart move for a Sunday evening—low stress, high entertainment, and something the kids won't be bored by.
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Then, at 8:00 PM ET/PT, The CW is doing something they’ve been experimenting with a lot lately: the "Movie Event." Tonight features the 2002 classic Two Weeks Notice, starring Sandra Bullock and Hugh Grant.
Quick Take: Why a 20-year-old movie? Because it works. Nexstar (the company that now owns the majority of The CW) has found that these familiar, comfortable films hold onto an audience much better than expensive, original scripted dramas that people struggle to keep up with.
The Sunday Breakdown (January 18, 2026)
- 2:00 PM ET: Women’s College Basketball (North Carolina vs. Florida State). This was a live broadcast earlier today, part of the network's huge push into ACC sports.
- 7:00 PM ET: Penn & Teller: Fool Us (Season 9, Episode 3).
- 8:00 PM ET: Two Weeks Notice (Feature Film).
- 10:00 PM ET: Local Programming (This is when your local news takes over).
Why the CW Schedule Looks So Different Now
It’s no secret that the "Arrowverse" is effectively dead. For a long time, the CW TV schedule tonight would have been dominated by The Flash or Superman & Lois. But scripted TV is expensive. Like, really expensive.
Nexstar’s strategy since taking over has been "profitable and broad." They want shows that appeal to the person in Kansas just as much as the person in New York. That’s why you’re seeing a massive influx of:
- Live Sports: ACC football and basketball, plus the NASCAR Xfinity Series.
- Unscripted Hits: Shows like Police 24/7 (which, heads up, moves to its new Wednesday slot this week).
- Game Shows: The "Game Night" block is becoming a staple.
Speaking of Game Shows...
If you're disappointed that tonight is just a movie, just wait a few days. The network is about to drop its midseason heavy hitters. On Thursday, January 22, the CW TV schedule changes again with the Season 2 premieres of Scrabble (hosted by Craig Ferguson) and Trivial Pursuit (hosted by LeVar Burton).
LeVar Burton hosting Trivial Pursuit is basically a match made in nerd heaven. It’s the kind of "appointment viewing" the network is desperate to recreate.
Dealing with Local Variations
Here is the thing about The CW: it’s a "broadcast" network, not a cable channel. This means your local station (like WPIX in New York or KTLA in LA) has a lot of say in what happens outside of that 8:00 PM to 10:00 PM window.
Sometimes, if a local sports team is playing, they might bump the national CW TV schedule tonight to a later time or move it to a "sister" station. If you tune in at 8:00 PM and see a local hockey game instead of Hugh Grant’s charming face, don’t panic. It usually means the movie will air at midnight or tomorrow afternoon.
The 2026 Midseason Outlook
If you're a fan of the scripted stuff they did keep, you have a big date coming up. Mark Monday, January 26 on your calendar. That’s when Wild Cards returns for Season 3.
Vanessa Morgan and Giacomo Gianniotti have incredible chemistry, and the show has become a quiet hit for the network. It’s one of the few survivors of the "old" way of doing things, mostly because it’s a co-production with the CBC in Canada, which keeps the costs down for everyone involved.
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Basically, the CW TV schedule tonight is a bridge. It’s a transition from a weekend of heavy sports coverage (like that North Carolina/Florida State game) into a week of high-energy game shows and reality TV.
Actionable Next Steps for Viewers
- Check the App: If you miss Penn & Teller tonight, it’ll be on the CW App by tomorrow morning for free. You don't even need a login.
- Sync Your DVR: If you're waiting for Wild Cards or the Scrabble premiere later this week, set those recordings now. The network has been known to shift start times by a minute or two to fit in extra promos.
- Verify Your Local Affiliate: Use the station finder on the CW website to make sure your local channel hasn't moved to a different number, as some markets have seen affiliate swaps recently.
Tonight might be quiet with a classic rom-com and some card tricks, but it's the calm before a very busy midseason storm. Enjoy the movie. It's better than you remember.