There was a time, believe it or not, when the January TV slate meant simply more of the same old same old. But for a while now, pretty much ever since a little show called 24 decided to unspool its latest breakneck day in the new year, the heart of winter has signaled a near-avalanche of fresh TV goodness.
By popular demand, TVLine presents this first pass at a handy calendar of January 2012′s biggest premieres, including the latest batches of American Idol, Justified, Pretty Little Liars and White Collar, the farewell run of One Tree Hill, and the debuts of newbies such as J.J. Abrams’ Alcatraz.
Season and series premieres are denoted in BOLD, and we’ve also included finales, specials and many — though by no means all — return dates for current shows that are on or entering holiday hiatus
