You’ve probably been out all day at the Stock Show or maybe just finished wrestling with the traffic on I-35W. Now, you're home. You've got your feet up. The big question remains: is there actually anything worth watching on the tube? If you’re looking for what's on tv tonight Fort Worth, you’re actually hitting a pretty decent night for local broadcasts and live sports.
Honestly, Saturday nights in the DFW metroplex are usually a toss-up between re-runs and random infomercials, but tonight—Saturday, January 17, 2026—is a bit of an outlier. Between college hoops, local news specials, and the grit of the rodeo season, there is plenty to keep you from doom-scrolling on your phone.
Local Sports and Big Games
If you are a sports fan in Cowtown, you’re looking at a heavy schedule. KDFW (Fox 4) is the place to be for the college basketball crowd. Starting at 7:00 PM, they are carrying a major Men's College Basketball matchup. The energy is usually high for these January conference games, and Fox tends to give us the best local coverage without needing a fancy subscription.
Over on WFAA (Channel 8), things take a more lighthearted turn early on with Celebrity Wheel of Fortune at 7:00 PM. It’s a good bridge if you’re waiting for the more serious stuff later. But if you’re looking for something with a bit more local flavor, keep an eye on the TCU vs. Arizona women’s game. While that one is largely on ESPN+ starting at 4:00 PM (CT), local sports bars and the late-night news cycles will be buzzing with the highlights, especially since the Horned Frogs have been on a tear lately.
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For those who prefer the smell of dirt and the sight of a bucking bronc, The Cowboy Channel is basically the heartbeat of Fort Worth this time of year. Since we are officially in the swing of the Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo, their programming is wall-to-wall rodeo. At 7:00 PM, look for Inside ProRodeo, followed by coverage of the Sandhills Stock Show and Rodeo at 8:00 PM. It’s the perfect way to feel like you’re at Dickies Arena without actually having to pay for parking.
Prime Time Drama and Documentaries
If you aren't shouting at a referee, you might be looking for some mystery. KXAS (NBC 5) is sticking to its guns with a heavy dose of true crime. They’ve got a massive Dateline NBC block starting at 8:01 PM. It’s a two-hour deep dive into a case that probably involves a "quiet neighborhood" where "nobody saw it coming." You know the drill. It’s addictive.
What's playing on the major channels:
- Fox 4 (KDFW): College Basketball (7:00 PM) followed by the 9:00 PM News.
- NBC 5 (KXAS): Happy's Place (7:00 PM), Stumble (7:30 PM), and Dateline (8:00 PM).
- ABC 8 (WFAA): Celebrity Wheel of Fortune (7:00 PM) and a two-hour 20/20 special starting at 8:00 PM.
- CBS 11 (KTVT): Expect the usual Saturday night crime procedural repeats or a movie of the week—perfect background noise for folding laundry.
Sometimes you just want to zone out. KDFW-DT3 (4.3) is running a Star Trek marathon tonight. They start with the original series at 7:00 PM, move into The Next Generation at 8:00 PM, and hit Deep Space Nine by 9:00 PM. It’s a geek’s paradise. If you’re more into "Blue Sky" era TV, KDFW-DT4 (4.4) is airing Monk and Psych back-to-back. Psych starts at 8:00 PM. It’s still one of the funniest shows ever made. Period.
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Why Local Listings Still Matter
In the age of Netflix, people think broadcast is dead. They’re wrong. In Fort Worth, local TV is how we stay connected to the specific weather patterns (which we all know can change in five minutes) and the local high school or college sports stars.
Tonight is also big for the TNA Wrestling: Genesis pay-per-view. While it's not on free broadcast, it’s happening right over in Garland at the Curtis Culwell Center. Local sports segments on Channel 5 and Channel 8 will likely have the results before the 10:00 PM news ends.
If you're a movie buff, Movies! TV Network (Channel 27.2) is showing some classic comedy earlier in the day, but by tonight, they usually pivot to something grittier. Check your digital antenna. If you don't have one, you’re missing out on about 50 sub-channels that show everything from old Westerns to 90s sitcoms.
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Actionable Tips for Tonight’s Viewers
Don't just flip through channels and get frustrated. Here is how to actually enjoy your evening:
- Check the Antenna: If you’re using an OTA (Over-the-Air) antenna, do a quick "auto-program" scan. Sometimes the Fort Worth towers shift slightly, and you might pick up a new sub-channel like Comet TV for sci-fi or Grit for old-school action.
- Sync the DVR: If you’re torn between the basketball game on Fox and 20/20 on ABC, record the basketball. Sports are better live, but news docs like 20/20 are much easier to fast-forward through the commercials later.
- Prepare for the News: With the Stock Show & Rodeo in town, the 9:00 PM (Fox) and 10:00 PM (NBC/ABC/CBS) news will have the latest standings and highlights. It’s the fastest way to see who won the day’s rodeo brackets.
- Streaming Backup: If the reception is wonky because of North Texas wind, remember that most of these local stations have apps. The WFAA+ app or the Fox 4 Dallas-Fort Worth app can stream local news and some segments for free on your Roku or FireStick.
There’s plenty to see. Whether you're here for the hoops, the crime mysteries, or the cowboys, Fort Worth's Saturday night lineup is looking solid. Grab some brisket, dim the lights, and enjoy the show.