“One Tree Hill” (8 p.m., The CW): Talk about growing up fast! “One Tree

“One Tree Hill” (8 p.m., The CW): Talk about growing up fast! “One Tree Hill” returns for Season 5 tonight and, in an unprecedented twist, the story leaps ahead four years with the gang preparing for post-college life. We’re told that some of the characters have experienced great success, while others have failed. Some are the same, while some are very different.

“NOVA: The Conquest of Cold” (8 p.m., PBS): Maybe you’ve been to Buffalo for Christmas. So you think you know cold. But just how much colder can cold get? Air conditioning, refrigeration, rocket fuel and superconductivity are some of the ways technology has put cold to good use. “NOVA” explores the pursuit of the frigid in “Absolute Zero,” two one-hour broadcasts. “The Conquest of Cold” airs tonight, while “The Race for Absolute Zero” premieres next Tuesday. The shows follow the quest for cold from the unlikely grandfather of air conditioning (the court magician of King James I of England in the 17th century) to today’s scientists pioneering super-fast computing in the quantum chill near absolute zero — minus 459.67 degrees Fahrenheit, where atoms slow to a virtual standstill.

“Street Patrol” (8 p.m., MNTV): Much like Fox’s long-running “Cops,” this new series follows police officers in real time as they make their rounds, including routine patrols along with the fast-paced car chases and periodic arrests.

“People’s Choice Awards” (9 p.m., CBS): Without writers, “The 34th Annual People’s Choice Awards” is taking on a different look and feel. Instead of being live, the show was taped and includes prerecorded acceptance speeches. Stars will also answer questions sent in by fans. Nominees include Johnny Depp, Jessica Alba, Justin Timberlake, Halle Berry, Beyoncé, Bruce Willis and John Mayer.

“Parking Wars” (10 p.m., A&E): Park yourself to watch Philadelphia’s curbside battle between the men and women of the city’s parking authority and the resentful, often law-flouting public they regulate on “Parking Wars.” On the first episode, airing 10 p.m. Tuesday on A&E, “meter maid” Jeff squares off with an irate citizen over a broken meter. The booting team of Steve and Sherry meet a woman with an overwrought attachment to her wheels. And at the impound lot, Maria has a five-hour face-off with a man trying to get his Mercedes back. Another half-hour episode follows at 10:30 p.m.