What to Watch Friday: CBS & NBC Fall Finales, HBO Max’s “One Battle After Another” Leads Streaming Lineup

Television fans ending the week with new episodes and finales have a full slate Friday night, December 19. Across broadcast networks and streaming platforms, fresh content arrives to close out fall storylines and launch new releases before the holiday break.

TVLine’s daily What to Watch preview highlights the night’s standout programming, including significant finales on CBS and NBC and a buzzy streaming premiere on HBO Max. Viewers looking for options across genres — from police dramas to sitcom reunions to dramatic historical fare — will find plenty to tune into.

CBS fall finales bring tense turning points

Among the spotlighted picks is CBS’ fall finale of Boston Blue, which continues its police procedural arc with what the network teases as a tense, high-stakes case. Friday’s episode marks a narrative midpoint for the season, ending with unresolved developments that pave the way for the show’s winter return.

The fall finale positioning indicates major character or case revelations, continuing the network’s trend of ending December episodes with cliffhangers designed to boost retention in the new year.

NBC reunites sitcom royalty

NBC closes out its Friday comedy block with a reunion drawing nostalgic attention. On Happy’s Place, cast members from the classic sitcom Taxi appear for a special episode.

The reunion provides a rare on-screen callback to the Emmy-winning sitcom that ran 1978–1983 and continues to maintain a cultural following thanks to syndication and streaming availability.

Friday’s appearance follows NBC’s recent strategy of pairing guest appearances and cast reunions with seasonal finales to generate online conversation and viewer engagement.

Streaming pick: HBO Max’s “One Battle After Another”

On streaming, HBO Max headlines the day with the premiere of One Battle After Another, a series positioned for weekend binge appeal. Though HBO’s synopsis remains limited, the title signals dramatic or historical conflict themes.

The platform continues to schedule original releases at the end of each week, capitalizing on streaming demand and competing seasonal content drops across platforms.

More to stream & sign-up offerings

TVLine encourages viewers who want daily programming reminders to sign up for its free What to Watch newsletter. The roundup also highlights streaming recommendations and links to past editorial coverage, including a list celebrating The Big Bang Theory’s 15th anniversary on HBO Max.

Friday programming reinforces a seasonal shift as networks wrap fall arcs before holiday schedules begin, while streaming platforms expand weekend offerings to retain viewers entering a competitive winter release cycle.

With finales, reunions, and new premieres, December 19 gives audiences multiple entry points to close the week.