The TV Cave Daily Watchlist: What to Watch on December 26: House of Ashur & Heated Rivalry

Whether you’re still riding that post-holiday haze or already hiding from family in another room, today’s TV lineup has big feelings, bold drama, and just the right amount of chaos. From brand-new streaming drops to prime-time power plays, here’s everything worth parking on your screen today.

🌙 Late Night & Early Morning Streaming Drops (3:00 AM ET)

👽 Bugonia — Now Streaming on Peacock

Two conspiracy-loving guys are convinced they’ve cracked the code on humanity’s downfall — and it starts with kidnapping a powerful CEO they believe is literally not from this planet. Things spiral fast, and not always in the way you expect. Buckle up.

🕵️ Cover-Up — Now Streaming on Netflix

This gripping documentary dives into the career of a journalist who refused to look away when powerful people wanted silence. From historic military scandals to modern-day reckonings, it’s a sobering watch that hits hard.

❤️ Heated Rivalry (Season 1 Finale) — HBO Max

All season long, tension has been building — and now it’s decision time. A secluded getaway forces Shane and Ilya to confront what they really want and whether their relationship can survive real life.

🌱 The Life of Chuck — Now Streaming on Hulu

This emotional journey follows one man’s life from childhood wonder to adult heartbreak, capturing the quiet moments that shape who we become. It’s reflective, heartfelt, and quietly powerful.

🏈 Afternoon Sports Fix (Starting 1:00 PM ET)

🏟️ College Football — ESPN

Football fans are eating good today with a triple-header lineup:

• Central Michigan vs. Northwestern

• New Mexico vs. Minnesota

• Florida International vs. UTSA

Perfect background noise — or full-on couch commitment.

🌟 Prime Time Picks (8:00 PM ET)

🎤 Popstar! Best of 2025 — The CW

The year gets the countdown treatment as the biggest moments, trends, and pop culture takeovers of 2025 are rolled into one flashy hour. Expect nostalgia, surprises, and plenty of “oh yeah, that happened.”

🔥 Power Book IV: Force — STARZ

Tommy wastes zero time adjusting to a major shakeup. Alliances shift, danger closes in, and the pressure is higher than ever as he races to stay ahead of the fallout.

⚔️ Late Night Drama (9:00 PM ET)

🩸 Spartacus: House of Ashur — STARZ

Ashur makes a bold move by introducing Achillia to the public — and immediately throws her into the arena. Blood, spectacle, and political maneuvering collide in brutal fashion.

🛋️ Junk or Jackpot? (Series Premiere) — HGTV (9:30 PM ET)

Bobby Berk steps into a world of clutter, collections, and hidden treasures. What looks like chaos might just be worth a fortune — and the transformations could change lives.

🌴 Late Night Wild Ride (10:00 PM ET)

🐊 It’s Florida, Man — HBO

A quick-money scheme involving moonshiners goes sideways when another illegal operation enters the picture. Because of course it does — this is Florida, after all.

🎬 The TV Cave Takeaway

From emotional finales and buzzy premieres to high-stakes drama and comfort-viewing chaos, December 26 delivers something for every kind of TV mood. Whether you’re streaming solo or channel-surfing with family, tonight’s lineup is stacked.

Check back with The TV Cave tomorrow for another must-read guide — because deciding what to watch shouldn’t be harder than actually watching it. 📺🍿