Kicking off 2026 alongside the streaming releases highlighted in our Early January Update, broadcast and cable networks deliver a strong lineup of new series, returning favorites, awards shows, and specials starting January 4. Viewers can enjoy everything from prickly medical comedies to heartwarming revivals and family baking competitions, with select additional streaming picks.
The entertainment year begins with the Critics Choice Awards on January 4 at 7 p.m. on E! and USA Network, hosted by Chelsea Handler. ABC revives 'America's Funniest Home Videos' at 8 p.m. that night, HGTV returns with 'Home Town' Season 10, and Hallmark Channel continues 'When Calls the Heart' Season 13.
Fox debuts 'Best Medicine' at 8 p.m. on January 4, a U.S. adaptation of 'Doc Martin' starring Josh Charles as a brusque surgeon in a small town. NBC wraps 'Sunday Night Football' Season 39 at 8:15 p.m. On January 5, Acorn TV premieres 'My Life Is Murder' Season 5, and Food Network launches 'Baking Championship: Next Gen,' pitting sibling teams aged 8-14 against each other for $25,000, hosted by Duff Goldman and Kardea Brown.
For streaming complements not fully detailed previously, Netflix offers the thriller 'His & Hers' on January 8, starring Tessa Thompson and Jon Bernthal as estranged spouses probing a murder. Disney+ airs new episodes of 'Star Wars: Skeleton Crew' on January 7 and 14, tracking four kids lost in the galaxy. These join the robust streaming slate—including Prime Video's 'The Night Manager' Season 2 (January 11), Paramount+'s 'Star Trek: Starfleet Academy' (January 15), HBO Max's 'A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms' (January 16), 'The Pitt' Season 2, and Peacock's 'The Traitors' Season 4—already covered, blending franchises with fresh stories for diverse viewing.
