If you’re sitting on your couch right now wondering why the air feels a bit different, it’s because we’ve hit that glorious mid-January sweet spot. It’s Saturday, January 17, 2026. This isn't just any regular weekend. We are deep into the NFL Divisional Round, and college basketball is hitting that "January gauntlet" where ranked teams start falling like flies.
Honestly, trying to keep track of the tv sports schedule for today is like trying to solve a Rubik's cube while riding a rollercoaster. You've got the NFL taking over the afternoon and night, but the morning is a literal minefield of high-stakes basketball and Premier League derbies.
Let's break down where you need to point your remote so you don't end up watching a cornhole rerun when you should be watching Josh Allen or the Lakers.
The NFL Divisional Round: Saturday’s Big Stakes
The NFL is king today. Period. After the Wild Card chaos, we’re down to the elite eight, and the matchups today are actually kind of insane.
First up, at 4:30 p.m. ET on CBS, the Buffalo Bills head into the thin air of Denver to take on the Broncos. If you haven't been following, Bo Nix has turned that Denver offense into something actually respectable, but they’re facing a Bills team that looks like a freight train. You can catch this on CBS or stream it via Paramount+.
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Once that wraps up, don't even think about moving. Switch over to FOX at 8:00 p.m. ET. We’re getting an NFC West grudge match between the San Francisco 49ers and the Seattle Seahawks. These two teams basically hate each other, and Lumen Field is going to be deafening. If you’re a cord-cutter, the FOX Sports app or various streaming services like Fubo will be your best friend here.
College Basketball’s Massive Saturday Slate
If you’re a "hoops from noon til midnight" person, you’re in luck. The tv sports schedule for today is absolutely bloated with college basketball.
- Noon ET: A massive one right out of the gate. Kentucky at Tennessee on ESPN. This is classic SEC basketball—fast, loud, and probably a little bit messy. At the same time, No. 3 UConn visits Georgetown on one of the main networks (check your local listings, usually Fox or CBS for these Big East slots), and Notre Dame takes on Virginia Tech on ACCN.
- 2:00 p.m. ET: Iowa State faces a tough road test at Cincinnati (ESPN2), while UCLA travels to Ohio State (CBS). That UCLA-Ohio State game is a sleeper for the best game of the day.
- 4:00 p.m. ET: No. 1 Arizona is at UCF on ESPN. Arizona is the team everyone is chasing right now. Also, Arkansas meets Georgia in a ranked battle on ESPN2.
- 6:00 p.m. ET: Purdue is out west playing USC, while No. 6 Duke travels to Stanford. Both are on the ESPN family of networks or ACCN.
It's a lot. If you have a multi-view setup, today is the day to use it.
NBA and NHL: The Pro Grind Continues
While the NFL and NCAA are grabbing the headlines, the NBA and NHL have some sneaky good matchups tonight.
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In the NBA, the Golden State Warriors are hosting the Charlotte Hornets at 8:30 p.m. ET. You’ll mostly find this on regional networks like NBC Sports Bay Area. But the "main event" for NBA fans is the Los Angeles Lakers vs. Portland Trail Blazers at 10:00 p.m. ET. This one is actually on NBA TV, so it’s got a wider reach.
On the ice, the NHL schedule is busy. The Pittsburgh Penguins are hosting the Columbus Blue Jackets at 7:00 p.m. ET—apparently, it’s Grateful Dead night in Pittsburgh, so expect some weird vibes and good music. Later, at 8:00 p.m. ET, the Boston Bruins visit the Chicago Blackhawks (ESPN+ and local networks). The Bruins have been on a tear lately, winning seven of their last eight.
Soccer Morning: The Manchester Derby
If you're reading this early in the morning, you might have already missed the fireworks, but hopefully not. The Manchester Derby (Man United vs. Man City) kicked off at 7:30 a.m. ET on USA Network.
In the afternoon, look for RB Leipzig vs. Bayern Munich in the Bundesliga at 12:30 p.m. ET. This is basically the title race in Germany right now. You can usually find these on ESPN+.
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Making Sense of the Chaos
Look, nobody can watch all of this. It’s literally impossible. The best way to handle the tv sports schedule for today is to prioritize the "Elimination" games.
NFL playoffs are the highest priority because they’re one-and-done. College basketball is second, especially the ranked-vs-ranked matchups like Arkansas/Georgia or Kentucky/Tennessee. Pro hoops and hockey are great background noise for the evening while you’re waiting for the 49ers and Seahawks to kickoff.
Actionable Tips for Your Saturday:
- Download the Apps: If you aren't near a TV, make sure your Paramount+, Peacock, and ESPN+ logins are working. The NFL games are split across different broadcasters this weekend.
- Check the Weather: If you're betting or playing DFS, the Buffalo-Denver game might have some wind issues. Always check the stadium reports about an hour before kickoff.
- Set the DVR: With the NFL games overlapping with some of the best basketball of the year, record the late hoops games so you can skip the commercials after the football ends.
Enjoy the games. It’s one of the best sports days of the year, so pace yourself on the snacks and keep the remote close.