If you’re sitting in Omaha right now, maybe looking out at a gray sky and feeling that mid-January chill, you’re probably thinking about one thing: what’s actually worth watching tonight? Honestly, the local lineup for Thursday, January 15, 2026, is a weirdly perfect mix of high-stakes kitchen drama, some fresh midseason sitcom premieres, and some local sports heart.
Whether you’re a "Big Red" devotee or just someone who wants to see Gordon Ramsay yell at a line cook, tonight’s schedule across WOWT, KETV, KMTV, and Fox 42 has a bit of everything.
The Big Premieres: Fox 42 Takes the Lead
Tonight is actually a pretty big deal for Fox (KPTM). They’ve been teasing their winter rollout for weeks, and we finally hit the "payoff" stage this evening.
Starting at 7:00 PM, we get a fresh episode of Hell's Kitchen. If you’ve seen one, you’ve seen them all, yet we still can’t look away when the risotto is raw. It’s classic comfort TV for a cold Nebraska night. But the real reason to stay tuned is the 9:00 PM hour.
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Fox is launching the Season 4 premiere of Animal Control at 9:00 PM sharp. Joel McHale is back, and if you haven’t caught this show yet, it’s basically a workplace comedy that doesn't take itself too seriously—kinda like Brooklyn Nine-Nine but with more disgruntled raccoons. Right after that, at 9:30 PM, is the Season 2 premiere of Going Dutch starring Denis Leary. It’s gritty, it’s funny, and it’s a solid way to end the primetime block.
Local Omaha Sports: Baxter Arena is Hopping
If you’d rather support the home team than watch a sitcom, you’ve got a great local matchup. The Omaha Mavericks women’s basketball team is hosting the St. Thomas Tommies tonight at 6:30 PM.
Now, if you aren't heading down to Baxter Arena in person, you can catch this on the Summit League Network. The Mavs have had a bit of a rough stretch lately—they're currently looking to snap a four-game skid—but playing at home usually brings out a different kind of energy. Watching Sarai Estupinan run the floor is always worth the price of admission, or in this case, the streaming data.
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For the Husker fans out there, the Nebraska women’s basketball team is also in action tonight. They’re taking on Michigan State in an away game starting at 6:00 PM. You’ll find that one on the Big Ten Network (BTN). It’s a big conference test, and honestly, the Big Ten race is already looking like a total gauntlet this year.
Network Staples: ABC, NBC, and CBS
While Fox is doing the heavy lifting with premieres, the other major networks in Omaha are keeping things steady.
- KETV (Channel 7 - ABC): Expect the usual Thursday night drama block. If you’ve been following the latest season of Grey’s Anatomy or whatever Shondaland masterpiece is currently tearing our hearts out, tonight stays the course.
- WOWT (Channel 6 - NBC): NBC's Thursday lineup remains a powerhouse for procedural fans. Check your local listings for the Law & Order trifecta; there’s something about watching Benson solve a crime that just feels right when it’s 20 degrees outside.
- KMTV (Channel 3 - CBS): CBS is leaning heavily into their comedy and drama staples.
News and Weather: The "Clipper" is Coming
Don't skip the local news at 10:00 PM. The National Weather Service in Omaha/Valley has been talking about a "clipper-like system" dropping down from Canada. We’re looking at some potential sprinkles or flurries tonight, but the real story is the wind.
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AccuWeather is predicting gusts that could hit 45 mph by tomorrow morning. If you have patio furniture still out (why?), you might want to bring it in before you head to bed after the late news.
Actionable Next Steps for Tonight
Instead of scrolling aimlessly through a 500-channel guide, here is how you should actually handle your Thursday night:
- Sync your DVR for 9:00 PM: Even if you aren't a huge Joel McHale fan, Animal Control is the smartest comedy on network TV right now. Give the premiere a shot.
- Check the Big Ten Network at 6:00 PM: Support the Huskers as they travel to East Lansing. It's going to be a physical game.
- Prepare for the Wind: Secure your trash cans and anything loose in the yard. Those 45 mph gusts starting late tonight are no joke for the Omaha metro area.
- Download the Summit League Network App: If you want to follow the Omaha Mavericks tonight, this is your best bet for a high-quality stream of the Baxter Arena action.
Tonight isn't just about "background noise"—it's a legit night for premieres and local pride. Grab a blanket, stay warm, and enjoy the show.