It is one of those classic Buffalo Sundays. The sky is that familiar shade of "Lake Effect Gray," and honestly, there is no better plan than hunkering down on the couch with a tray of wings from Bar-Bill or Gabriel's Gate. But once you've settled in, the real struggle begins: actually finding something to watch. If you are looking for what's on tv tonight in buffalo ny, you’ve probably noticed that the local landscape has shifted a bit lately.
Between the sting of the Bills' recent playoff exit—thanks for that, Denver—and the usual mid-winter midseason premieres, there is a lot to sift through. Whether you are sticking to the classic local "Big Three" or deep-diving into the subchannels, here is the breakdown of what is hitting the glass tonight, Sunday, January 18, 2026.
The Local Heavy Hitters: WGRZ, WIVB, and WKBW
Buffalo’s local broadcasters are the backbone of a Sunday night. You've got Channel 2 (NBC), Channel 4 (CBS), and Channel 7 (ABC). Tonight is a weird mix of procedural dramas and some pretty heavy-hitting news cycles.
Over on WGRZ Channel 2, the mood is a little somber. If you caught the news earlier, you know they’ve been tracking a Code Blue for tonight and into tomorrow. The weather impact alert is in full swing. For the entertainment side, NBC is leaning into its usual Sunday night rhythm. Expect the typical high-stakes drama that fills the 8:00 PM to 11:00 PM block. Since it is Sunday, you might be looking for football, but with the Bills out of the running after that heartbreaker against the Broncos, the local airwaves feel a bit quieter than we’d like.
WIVB Channel 4 is sticking to the CBS playbook. Usually, that means 60 Minutes leads the charge at 7:00 PM. It remains one of the most-watched hours in Western New York because, let’s be real, Buffalo loves a good investigative deep dive. Following that, you're looking at the standard rotation of police procedurals—think The Equalizer or Tracker.
Then there is WKBW Channel 7. They’ve been leaning hard into the local aftermath of the Bills' loss. You'll likely see extended sports segments during the 6:00 PM and 11:00 PM news, probably with more footage of a tearful Josh Allen. It’s tough to watch, but it’s the talk of the town at every Tim Hortons right now.
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PBS and the Masterpiece Crowd
If you want to avoid the "doom and gloom" of local news and the stress of sports, WNED PBS (Channel 17) is basically your sanctuary. Tonight is actually a massive night for British drama fans in Buffalo and Southern Ontario.
The 8:00 PM slot features a brand new episode of Miss Scarlet on Masterpiece. This is Season 6, Episode 2, titled "Trafalgar Spring." It’s got everything: a high-society divorce, a missing racehorse, and a public scandal. It’s the kind of show you watch with a hot cup of tea while the wind howls outside.
Right after that, at 9:00 PM, we head back to the Yorkshire Dales with All Creatures Great and Small. Tonight’s episode, "Old Dog, New Tricks," involves James Herriot buying an X-ray machine. It sounds mundane, but if you know the show, you know it’ll probably make you cry or at least feel very warm inside.
To round out the night at 10:00 PM, WNED is airing Bookish, a newer series about a bookshop owner who helps solve crimes. Tonight is the second part of the "Slightly Foxed" arc. It’s a solid block of television if you’re looking to completely escape reality for three hours.
Digital Subchannels: The Nostalgia Trip
Sometimes the main channels just don't hit the spot. That’s when you start scrolling into the "point-fives" and "point-twos." Buffalo has a surprisingly deep bench of digital subchannels.
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- Antenna TV (2.2): If you're feeling nostalgic, they’re running a marathon of The Partridge Family tonight starting around 7:00 PM.
- Grit (7.3): This is the go-to for Westerns. You’ll find The Lone Ranger and old-school films like Fort Ti. It’s basically the "Dad Channel," and we mean that with total respect.
- MeTV (usually found on 5.1 or 67.1 depending on your antenna): Expect the Sunday night "Sci-Fi" block. It’s the perfect background noise while you’re folding laundry or scrolling through your phone.
What’s On TV Tonight in Buffalo NY for Sports Fans?
Okay, so the Bills are done. It hurts. We know. But there is still plenty of action if you are a sports bettor or just a fan of the game in general.
While the NFL playoffs are moving forward without us, tonight's TV schedule is dominated by the NBA. If you have a decent cable package or a streaming sub like Fubo, you can catch some major matchups. The Los Angeles Lakers are taking on the Toronto Raptors at 9:30 PM ET. Since Buffalo is so close to the border, the Raptors often feel like the "home team" by proxy for a lot of fans here.
Also on the hardwood:
- Houston Rockets vs. New Orleans Pelicans (7:00 PM ET)
- Charlotte Hornets vs. Denver Nuggets (8:00 PM ET)
- Sacramento Kings vs. Portland Trail Blazers (9:00 PM ET)
Keep an eye on the injury reports though. The Lakers are looking a bit thin with Austin Reaves out, and Denver is still trying to figure out life without Nikola Jokic, who is sidelined with that knee issue.
Dealing with the Weather Impact
A quick "heads up" for those of you using a digital antenna: Buffalo weather can be a real jerk to your signal. With the Weather Impact Alert in effect for Monday and Tuesday, you might start seeing some "pixelation" or signal drop tonight if the wind picks up.
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If your signal starts cutting out during All Creatures Great and Small, try a quick re-scan on your TV settings. Sometimes the atmospheric pressure changes during a storm front can mess with how the signals bounce off the lake. It's a very Buffalo problem to have.
How to Get the Best Picture Tonight
If you are tired of the cable bill or the antenna isn't cutting it, remember that most of our local stations are now streaming.
- WGRZ+ is available on Roku and Fire TV. It's great for catching the local news if you’ve "cut the cord."
- PBS App: You can stream WNED live if you have a Passport membership, which is honestly one of the best deals in town for $5 a month.
- Paramount+: This is how you get the live feed for WIVB (Channel 4) without needing the physical wire.
Practical Steps for Your Sunday Night
To make the most of tonight's lineup, here is a quick checklist:
- Check the signal: If you use an antenna, do a quick scan now before the 8:00 PM shows start.
- Set the DVR: If you’re torn between the Raptors game and Miss Scarlet, remember that PBS usually replays their Sunday block later in the week, but the sports are live-only.
- Prep for the "Code Blue": Make sure your devices are charged. Buffalo winters are unpredictable, and while we aren't expecting a total blackout, it’s always better to have your phone ready to stream the news if the power flickers.
The best part of Sunday night TV in Buffalo isn't even the shows; it's the routine. So, grab your blue and orchard gear (even if it’s for next season), get the remote ready, and enjoy the show. Tonight’s lineup offers a little bit of everything, from British mysteries to the gritty reality of a Western New York winter forecast.
Check your local listings one last time around 7:00 PM to ensure no last-minute "special reports" have bumped your favorite show. Enjoy the quiet before the Monday morning commute.