If you’ve ever sat on your couch, remote in hand, scrolling through a digital guide that seems to go on forever, you know the struggle. Honestly, Sunday TV used to be a wasteland of infomercials and reruns. But today, Sunday, January 18, 2026, is actually a massive day for ABC TV schedule today, especially if you’re a football fan or just someone who likes watching kids fall over on camera.
We’re right in the heart of the NFL Divisional Round, which basically dictates everything else on the network. When the NFL calls, the regular programming usually takes a backseat.
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The Heavy Hitter: NFL Divisional Round Action
Most of your afternoon is going to be dominated by the Houston Texans taking on the New England Patriots. This is a huge matchup. You’ve got C.J. Stroud, who has been playing like a veteran since his rookie year, facing off against a New England defense that is famously difficult to crack at home in Foxborough.
The game kicks off at 3:00 PM ET, but the coverage starts way before that.
- 12:00 PM ET: Postseason NFL Countdown. This is where the analysts spend three hours over-analyzing wind speeds and turf conditions.
- 2:45 PM ET: Divisional Round Kickoff. The final hype-up.
- 3:00 PM ET: The main event. Houston vs. New England.
If you aren't into sports, this is your warning to find a book or hit the streaming apps until about 6:00 PM, because the pigskin is king today.
ABC TV Schedule Today: The Evening Lineup
Once the helmets are off and the post-game interviews wrap up (usually around 6:00 PM or 6:15 PM depending on if it goes to overtime), things get back to "normal." Well, as normal as network TV gets.
ABC World News Tonight with David Muir holds down its usual spot at 6:30 PM ET. It’s the 18th episode of the 2026 series, and it's basically the palate cleanser between the adrenaline of the NFL and the family-friendly fluff of the evening.
Prime Time Family Favorites
At 7:00 PM ET, we get America’s Funniest Home Videos. This is Season 36, Episode 4. Today’s theme is "Trick-or-Treat Tumbles, Workouts Gone Wrong, and Costume Calamities." It’s kinda wild that this show is still on the air, but there’s something weirdly comforting about watching someone’s grandma accidentally knock over a Christmas tree.
Then, ABC is taking a bit of a "movie night" approach for the rest of primetime.
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Starting at 8:02 PM ET, the network is airing the classic Mrs. Doubtfire.
Yeah, the 1993 Robin Williams flick. Even though we’ve all seen it a hundred times, it’s still one of those movies you can’t help but stop and watch when you see it in the ABC TV schedule today. It runs all the way until 11:00 PM, when your local news takes over.
Why Is the Schedule So Different This Week?
You might notice that shows like Will Trent or The Rookie aren't in their usual Sunday night slots.
That's because the "Winter 2026" season is in a bit of a transition. Most of the heavy-duty scripted dramas are being held for Tuesday and Wednesday nights this month. For example, Will Trent Season 4 and The Rookie Season 8 have been pulling big numbers on Tuesday nights instead.
Also, mark your calendars: American Idol is coming back for Season 24 on January 26.
What You Need to Know for Tomorrow
If you're already looking ahead, Monday is going to look a lot different. We're moving out of the weekend movie vibes and back into the daily grind.
- Good Morning America starts your Monday at 7:00 AM.
- The View is back at 11:00 AM.
- General Hospital (the never-ending saga!) airs at 2:00 PM.
The late-night scene is also hopping. Michael B. Jordan and Joel McHale are scheduled for Jimmy Kimmel Live! on Monday night, so if you’re a fan of either, you'll want to stay up late or set the DVR.
Actionable Takeaways for Viewers
If you want to make the most of the ABC TV schedule today, here is the move.
First, if you're watching the game, check your local listings. Sometimes the NFL games run long, and that can push the start of World News Tonight or AFV back by 15 or 20 minutes. Don't rely 100% on the clock; rely on the whistle.
Second, use the ABC app or Hulu if you miss the news or the early morning segments of GMA.
Finally, if you’re waiting for the big midseason premieres—like the much-hyped Scrubs revival—you still have a few weeks to wait. That doesn't drop until late February. For now, enjoy the playoffs and the nostalgia of a 90s movie marathon.
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To stay updated on any last-minute sports delays, keep an eye on the bottom-of-the-screen "crawl" during the afternoon game. This is usually the most accurate way to see if your favorite evening show is going to start on time or get bumped.
Check your local ABC affiliate's website for specific regional programming that might air between 8:00 AM and 10:00 AM, as many stations use that time for local news or community interest stories.