So, it's Saturday night in the 515. You’ve probably already shoveled the driveway or at least thought about it. Now you just want to sit down, maybe grab a Maid-Rite or some Casey's pizza, and figure out whats on tv tonight Des Moines. Honestly, Saturday nights in mid-January are usually a bit of a toss-up between high-stakes Big Ten basketball and whatever the networks decided to throw at the wall.
Tonight, January 17, 2026, is actually a pretty solid night for channel surfing if you're stuck on the couch. We’ve got a massive road test for the Hawkeyes, a fresh episode of SNL for the late-night crowd, and some local pride over on Iowa PBS.
The Main Event: Hawkeye Basketball and Local Sports
If you bleed black and gold, your afternoon was likely spent glued to FOX. The No. 23 Iowa men’s basketball team traveled to Bloomington to take on Indiana at Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall. That 1:10 p.m. tip-off usually sets the tone for the whole evening in Des Moines. If they won, the local news at 6:00 p.m. and 10:00 p.m. is going to be a celebration. If they didn't? Well, expect a lot of "searching for answers" in the post-game highlights.
For the Cyclone fans, the evening looks a little different. Iowa State was at Cincinnati earlier today (1:00 p.m. on ESPN+), but if you missed the live stream, keep an eye on the sports segments on KCCI or WHO13.
Wait—don't click away if you're a fan of the Iowa State Dance Team. This is basically their Super Bowl. Iowa PBS (Channel 11) is airing the 2026 Iowa State Dance Team Championships tonight. It’s a staple of local broadcasting. You’ll see teams from across the state—from the biggest 4A schools to the tiny rural districts—showing off months of choreography. It’s impressive, it's high-energy, and it's uniquely Iowan.
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Primetime Network Picks
When the sun goes down and the local news wraps up around 6:30 p.m., the major networks in Des Moines (KCCI, WHO, WOI, and KDSM) switch over to the heavy hitters.
- KCCI (Channel 8 - CBS): Tonight they’re leaning into the crime drama vibe. You’ve got Sheriff Country at 8:00 p.m., followed by Boston Blue at 9:00 p.m. It’s perfect "background" TV if you're folding laundry or scrolling on your phone.
- WHO13 (Channel 13 - NBC): They are running a Dateline NBC marathon starting at 8:00 p.m. It’s a two-hour block. Keith Morrison’s voice is basically the official soundtrack of a Saturday night in the Midwest.
- WOI (Channel 5 - ABC): Usually, Saturday is a big night for NBA or college matchups, but check the local listings as they often shift schedules for special reports or local events.
- KDSM (Channel 17 - FOX): They’ve got college hoops in the primetime slot from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. If you didn't get enough basketball during the day, this is your spot.
Late Night: Finn Wolfhard on SNL
For the night owls, the big news is that Saturday Night Live is back with a brand-new episode. This isn't a rerun. Finn Wolfhard, the Stranger Things star, is making his hosting debut tonight. It’s a pretty big deal for the younger crowd, and honestly, seeing how the writers handle his "indie-film-meets-horror-icon" persona should be interesting.
The musical guest is A$AP Rocky. It’s his first time on the 8H stage too. Tune into WHO13 at 10:30 p.m. for the local news, and then stay for the sketches at 11:30 p.m.
Beyond the Big Four: Subchannels and Streaming
Let’s be real. Sometimes the main channels are boring. If you have an antenna in Des Moines, you’ve got access to a goldmine of weird, nostalgic content.
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Check out MeTV (8.2). Tonight is the "Super Sci-Fi Saturday" block. You can usually find Star Trek, Buck Rogers, or Kolchak: The Night Stalker late into the night. It’s great if you want to feel like it’s 1975 again.
On Iowa PBS Create (11.2), it’s all about the "how-to." If you’ve ever wanted to learn how to fix a leaky faucet or cook a three-course meal using only things found in a garden, this is your place. They have This Old House and America’s Test Kitchen running back-to-back.
Why the TV Guide Still Matters in Des Moines
You might think everything is on Netflix, but in Iowa, local TV is still the heartbeat of the community. We care about the weather (especially if a "clippie" is coming through), we care about the Hawkeyes, and we care about what's happening at the Capitol. When you look at whats on tv tonight Des Moines, you aren't just looking for a movie; you're looking for what everyone else in the city is watching at the exact same time. It’s that shared experience.
Actionable Tips for Tonight
If you want the best viewing experience tonight, do these three things:
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- Check the Digital Subchannels: If you use an antenna, rescan your TV. Stations like KCCI and WHO have added several "point" channels (like 13.2, 13.3) over the last year that carry classic movies and 24/7 weather.
- DVR the Dance Championships: Even if you aren't a "dance person," the Iowa State Dance Team Championships on PBS are a visual spectacle. It’s worth recording just to see the sheer athleticism of these kids.
- Sync Your Apps: If you’re a streamer, make sure your Paramount+ (for CBS) or Peacock (for NBC) logins are ready before 8:00 p.m. There’s nothing worse than missing the start of SNL because of a password reset.
Grab your favorite blanket. The January wind is howling outside, but between the basketball court and the SNL stage, there is plenty to keep you occupied.
Check your local on-screen guide for any last-minute "breaking news" interruptions—this is Iowa, after all, and the weather can change before you even finish your first bowl of popcorn.
Next Steps: You can now pull up your specific cable or satellite provider’s grid to see the exact minute-by-minute start times for these programs. If you're using an antenna, remember to point it toward the towers in Alleman for the strongest signal.