TV Corner Notes: Where TV Lives Now

This week on TV Corner Notes: Doctor Who explores streaming, February’s schedule is full of new shows, and the Winter Olympics are coming. From time lords in limbo to must-watch programs, let’s discuss upcoming highlights and possible tweaks.

Happy Monday, and welcome back to TV Corner Notes — your weekly check-in on the shows worth your time and the TV conversations worth having.

This week, I’m excited to revisit the world of Doctor Who, a franchise that should always be easy to find. Now that the Disney+ partnership has ended, the Doctor is temporarily in a streaming limbo, scattered across different platforms and quietly losing momentum at a time when getting easy access is more important than ever. There’s a hint of hope with a potential 2026 Christmas special on the horizon, but the question of where and how audiences will watch next could significantly shape the show's future.

Looking ahead to February, I’m gearing up for what looks to be one of the most bustling months of the year. With big-name returns, new series that are sure to catch your interest, and the Winter Olympics taking center stage in prime time, your viewing schedule is about to get pretty full. I’ve put together a list of the shows I’m most excited about, along with everything you need to know to navigate the week ahead.

Let’s get into it.

Doctor Who Is in Streaming Limbo and It Can’t Stay There

If you’ve been following Doctor Who lately, you’ve probably noticed the TARDIS floating through a digital void. With the Disney+ partnership officially over, the series is now in streaming limbo — and for a global franchise, that’s a real problem.

Yes, the BBC is teasing a big 2026 Christmas special. But the bigger question isn’t when the Doctor returns. It’s where the rest of the world will actually be able to watch him.

Right now, watching Doctor Who in the U.S. feels like navigating a time paradox. The 2005–2022 era lives on Max, while the Ncuti Gatwa specials and newest seasons sit on Disney+. For longtime fans, it’s frustrating. For new viewers, it’s confusing — and confusion kills momentum.

A single home on Netflix or Max would fix that instantly. One platform. One library. No homework required. For a 60-year-old franchise trying to attract new fans, simplicity isn’t optional — it’s essential.

Netflix, in particular, has already proven it can turn Doctor Who into a cultural staple. Its algorithm excels at surfacing smart sci-fi to viewers coming off shows like Stranger Things or Black Mirror. That passive discovery, the “wait, what is this?” moment, is something the Doctor desperately needs again.

Max, meanwhile, makes sense for a different reason. Doctor Who is now a big-budget, cinematic series, reportedly nearing $13 million per episode. Russell T Davies’ current era —stylish, emotional, dark, and proudly weird—fits neatly alongside Max’s prestige sci-fi and fantasy slate.

As we wait for the next chapter, the BBC faces a clear choice. Doctor Who works best when it’s easy to find, easy to start, and easy to fall in love with. Right now, it’s scattered and harder to access than it should be.

Whether it’s Netflix’s global reach or Max’s prestige polish, the Doctor doesn’t just need a platform.

He needs a home.

My Top 5 Anticipated Shows for February

February 2026 is shaping up to be an exciting month for television, with a mix of thrilling shows returning and the world’s biggest sporting events taking center stage. Here are the dates you'll want to remember and mark on your calendar:

The Night Agent (Season 3) 

Premieres February 19 on Netflix: Peter Sutherland is returning, and fans are in for a treat! After the thrilling climax of Season 2, you won't have to wait long for the third season to arrive, bringing even more exciting moments and intriguing government secrets that captured audiences worldwide.

The 'Burbs 

Premieres February 8 on Peacock! This fun mystery-comedy adaptation of the 1989 cult classic stars Keke Palmer and Jack Whitehall. With Seth MacFarlane on board as producer, you'll enjoy a delightful mix of suburban paranoia and clever, contemporary humor that’s sure to entertain.

CIA (Series Premiere)

Premieres February 23 at 10/9c on CBS: Dive into the latest addition to Dick Wolf’s FBI universe! Featuring Tom Ellis (Lucifer) as a spirited, rule-breaking CIA officer and Nick Gehlfuss (Chicago Med) as a steadfast FBI agent, this charming "odd couple" procedural promises to become a favorite for Monday nights.

The Voice (Season 29) 

Premieres February 23 on NBC and Peacock: The red chairs are spinning once again! Season 29 warmly welcomes you back to the Blind Auditions, right after the buzz of the Winter Olympics. Get ready to discover fresh talent and enjoy the spirited coaching panel once more.

2026 Winter Olympics (Milano Cortina) 

From February 6 until February 22, NBC and Peacock will be your go-to sources for an exciting celebration in Italy. From the spectacular Opening Ceremony in Milan to the thrilling downhill races in Cortina, enjoy 16 days packed with nonstop action. Peacock is definitely the best place to watch every event live, so don't miss out!

Which of these are you most likely to binge-watch in one sitting? What are your anticipated shows in the month of February? Leave a comment.

LookWhy Tokyo Vice Still Deserves Your Time

If you’re in the mood for a cool, neon-soaked fever dream, Tokyo Vice is still one of Max’s most underrated prestige dramas. Now that its two-season run is complete, it stands as a rare example of a stylish crime series that actually sticks the landing.

Set in late-’90s Tokyo, the show drops us into a world that insists “murder doesn’t exist” — while quietly hiding violence behind tradition, bureaucracy, and blood-soaked back alleys. At the center is journalist Jake Adelstein (Ansel Elgort), whose obsession with the Yakuza pulls him into an uneasy partnership with Detective Hiroto Katagiri (Ken Watanabe, effortlessly commanding).

The plot hooks you, but the vibe is what seals it. With Michael Mann’s fingerprints all over the pilot, the series glows with rain-slicked streets, cigarette smoke, and looming menace. And while Watanabe is stellar, the emotional core belongs to Show Kasamatsu’s Sato, whose slow-burn arc becomes quietly devastating.

It’s not flawless, but Tokyo Vice is patient, atmospheric, and emotionally heavy in the best way — a slow burn absolutely worth your time.

Check out full review 

What to Watch This Week

As the new month begins, there's so much to look forward to this week, from exciting finales to the thrill of the Winter Olympics. 

Monday, February 2

8/7c Below Deck Down Under Season 4 (Bravo)

8/7c Super Bowl Greatest Commercials: Hall of Fame Countdown special (CBS, hosted by Nate Burleson and Daniela Ruah)

9/8c Rise of the 49ers docuseries finale (AMC, two episodes)

Tuesday, February 3

Father Brown Season 13 (BritBox)

Wolf Season 1 finale (AMC+ & Shudder)

8/7c MLK, Jr Beloved Community Awards (BET)

8/7c Summer House Season 10 (Bravo)

Wednesday, February 4

Fallout Season 2 finale (Prime Video)

Is It Cake? Valentine's special (Netflix)

8/7c House of Payne returns (BET)

8/7c Shifting Gears Season 2 finale (ABC)

8/7c Ugliest House in America Season 7 finale (HGTV)

9/8c The Muppet Show (ABC & Disney+, one-hour special): Music, comedy, and a whole lot of chaos are bound to ensue when The Muppets once again take the stage of the original Muppet Theatre with their very special guest, Sabrina Carpenter. 

Thursday, February 5

Field Generals: History of the Black Quarterback (Peacock, four-episode binge): The docuseries examines the stories of trailblazing and pioneering quarterbacks who transformed the game, from the AFL-NFL merger through the turn of the century.

Grace Season 5 (BritBox)

The Lincoln Lawyer Season 4 (Netflix, 10-episode binge)

Shetland Season 10 finale (BritBox)

9/8c NFL Honors (NBC and NFL Network, hosted by Jon Hamm)

Friday, February 6

2/1c Winter Olympics Opening Ceremony (NBC)

9/8c Spartacus: House of Asher Season 1 finale (Starz)

Finding Harmony: A King's Vision (Prime Video documentary): Kate Winslet narrates this telling of His Majesty The King's lifelong commitment to the philosophy of Harmony and the environment, urging viewers to protect our planet and create a more sustainable future for the next generation.

Saturday, February 7

Engineering Europe (Disney+, six-episode binge): Filmed across six great nations, the docuseries explores record-breaking construction projects, innovative machines and vehicles, and ingenious design.

With Doctor Who exploring its next streaming home, a busy February lineup, and the Olympics on the horizon, potentially disrupting our viewing plans, one thing’s certain: television is all about the choices we make—where to watch, what to prioritize, and what will truly stick with us. 

I always love hearing from you. Where do you think the Doctor should go next? Which February show are you most excited about? What might need to be put on hold once the Olympics begin?

Until next week, happy watching, 

Adam