The TV Cave’s Daily TV Guide: What to Watch on January 3

📺 What to Watch Tonight: Your January 3 TV Game Plan

New year, same struggle: too much TV and not enough time. Whether you’re here for football chaos, cozy romance, shocking true crime, or a little wrestling mayhem, tonight’s lineup has something for every kind of couch commitment. Let’s break it all down so you know exactly where to park the remote.

🕟 4:30 PM ET

Monday Night Football Goes Big (and Then Bigger)

ABC / ESPN – Two Games, One Epic Finale

Football fans, clear your schedule. The season wraps with a doubleheader that’s doing the absolute most.

• 4:30 PM: The Carolina Panthers head to Tampa Bay to clash with the Buccaneers in a game that could flip expectations.

  
  

• 8:00 PM: The Seattle Seahawks face off against the San Francisco 49ers in a primetime showdown that’s basically appointment television.

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Two games. One night. Maximum yelling at your screen.

🕗 8:00 PM ET

AEW: Collision

TNT

AEW kicks off a special four-week run from Esports Stadium in Arlington, Texas, and if you like your action loud, fast, and dramatic, this is where you’ll want to be. Expect big personalities, bigger moves, and zero chill.

Dinner and a Movie

TBS

Jason and Jenny are serving commentary alongside the 2013 action thriller Olympus Has Fallen. It’s explosions, chaos, and side-eye-worthy reactions all from the comfort of your couch. Honestly? The commentary might be the best part.

Lost in Paradise

Hallmark Channel — Movie Premiere

A fashion mogul. A charming chef. One very inconvenient deserted island.

When Lacey Chabert’s high-powered executive ends up stranded with Ian Harding’s culinary pro, sparks fly as they work together to survive and maybe fall in love. Equal parts escapism and swoon, this one’s tailor-made for your cozy watchlist.

The Paper

NBC — Final Three Episodes

Things are getting intense as the series barrels toward the finish line. A bombshell story puts the newsroom at odds with corporate leadership, leading Mare and Ned on a road trip that raises more questions than answers. Meanwhile, ambition, ethics and journalism awards all collide. If you’ve been watching, this is not the night to miss.

Stolen Girl

Lifetime — Movie Premiere

A mother’s worst nightmare becomes reality when her young daughter is taken by her ex-husband. Kate Beckinsale stars in this emotional, high-stakes thriller about desperation, resilience and the lengths a parent will go to for their child.

🕙 10:00 PM ET

48 Hours

CBS

A chilling case takes center stage as investigators try to determine who killed an Indiana man and whether the truth lies with a high school softball coach or one of her former players. Twists, interviews, and unanswered questions make this a gripping late-night watch.

🍿 Final Take

From football overload to heartfelt romance and edge-of-your-seat mystery, January 3 is stacked. Whether you’re channel surfing or locking into one must-watch event, tonight’s TV proves the year is already off to a strong start.

Stay tuned to The TV Cave for more daily guides, recaps and all the TV obsessions you didn’t know you needed.