How To Watch the Houston Astros
Can the Houston Astros return to the postseason in 2026?
The Houston Astros barely missed the playoffs last year. So, as we turn the page to 2026, I can’t be more eager to watch the Astros try to restart their consecutive playoff streak. They just have to stay healthy.
The way I’m staying healthy this season is by making sure I know exactly how to watch as many of the 162 Astros games as possible. That’s part of the reason I wrote this guide—to tell fans what they need to know so they don’t miss a single inning.
Space City Home Network remains the primary home for the Astros on TV, airing more than 130 in-market games this season. But with several high-profile matchups on national networks and streaming platforms, staying on top of the TV schedule is essential. Keep reading for a complete breakdown of how to watch the Houston Astros in 2026.
Spring into baseball with DIRECTV!
DIRECTV has the most MLB games, including Spring Training, period.* Not only that, but this season you can catch the World Baseball Classic and tons of college ball streaming on your favorite devices. With so much live action on deck, it's time to get your game together by scouting DIRECTV's packages today.
*Claim based on total games carried on Nat'l and combined local Regional Sports Networks. RSNs avail. with CHOICE package or higher. Avail. of RSNs varies by ZIP code and pkg. Blackouts apply.
Where to watch the Astros—local TV breakdown
If you live in the Houston area, you’ll need access to Space City Home Network (SCHN) to catch the majority of the regular season. The network covers the Astros’ massive home territory, which includes Texas, Louisiana, Arkansas, Oklahoma, and eastern New Mexico.
Fans outside those areas can stream games using MLB.TV or get MLB EXTRA INNINGS on their cable or satellite provider.
| Channel | Starting price | Coverage | Available on |
|---|---|---|---|
| Space City Home Network | $19.99/mo. | Most in-market games | DIRECTV, Xfinity, Astound, AT&T U-verse, Fubo, SCHN+ app |
| MLB.TV | $29.99/mo. | Most out-of-market games | MLB and ESPN apps |
| MLB EXTRA INNINGS | $149.99/season | Most out-of-market games | Cable and satellite services |
Where to watch the Astros—national TV breakdown
When the Astros aren’t shown on Space City Home Network, they’ll be on national TV. In 2026, the national broadcast landscape has shifted significantly, with NBC and Peacock Premium now serving as the exclusive home of Sunday Night Baseball.
Beyond the Sunday night spotlights, you can find the Astros on FOX, FS1, TBS, and MLB Network throughout the season. You’ll also need to keep an eye on streaming exclusives, including Friday Night Baseball on Apple TV.
| Network | Coverage | Available on |
|---|---|---|
| Apple TV | Friday Night Baseball exclusive games | Apple TV subscription ($12.99/mo.) |
| ESPN | Select regular-season games | Cable, satellite, live TV streaming services |
| FOX | Saturday MLB games, select primetime matchups, All-Star Game, World Series | Cable, satellite, live TV streaming services |
| FS1 | Saturday regular-season games, select postseason games (Division Series, League Championship Series) | Cable, satellite, live TV streaming services |
| MLB Network | Regular-season national games, simulcasts, showcase matchups | Cable, satellite, select live TV streaming services |
| NBC | Select Sunday MLB games | Cable, satellite, live TV streaming services |
| Netflix | Exclusive events (Home Run Derby, MLB at Field of Dreams) | Netflix subscription ($9.99–$26.99/mo.) |
| Peacock | Exclusive Sunday MLB games | Peacock Premium subscription ($10.99–$16.99/mo.), NBCSN (simulcasts) |
| TBS | Regular-season Tuesday night games, select postseason games (Division Series, League Championship Series) | Cable, satellite, live TV streaming services |
Best TV plans for watching the Houston Astros
Unfortunately, just one TV plan won’t cut it if you want to watch every single Astros game this season. But I’ve done my research, and I can tell you which ones make the most sense.
I recommend DIRECTV for its wide offering of regional sports networks (including Space City Home Network) and national channels. After that, standalone subscriptions to Peacock Premium and Apple TV will serve you well for those platforms’ streaming exclusives.
Best Overall
All DIRECTV customers in the Houston TV market can get access to the Space City Home Network (ch. 674). DIRECTV also has almost all of the national MLB channels you’ll need for the season.
Exclusive Games
The Astros will likely have more than one game stream on the platform’s Friday Night Baseball showcase.
Exclusive Games
Games on NBC will also stream on Peacock. Additionally, the team will have some games stream exclusively on the service.
Out-of-Market Coverage
If you don’t live in the Astros broadcast territory, you can watch games live and on demand with MLB.TV.
Watch the Astros with a free trial
While free trials only give you access to Astros games for a few days, it might still be worth it to you to test some services before you commit. Trials from live TV streaming services like DIRECTV and Fubo are your best bet here.
| Packages | Price | ESPN | FOX | FS1 | NBC | TBS | MLB Network | RSNs* | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| DIRECTV | Five days free, then $89.99–$169.99/mo. | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | View Plans for DIRECTV STREAM |
| Fubo | Five days free, then $14.99–$94.99/mo. | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | — | — | ✔ | ✔ | View Plans for FuboTV |
| YouTube TV | Varies, then $82.99/mo. | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | — | — | View Plans for YouTube TV |
Data effective as of post date. Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change.
*Avail. of RSNs varies by zip code and pkg.
Get tickets to see the Astros!
Buy Houston Astros tickets through our partner, StubHub—your source for the best deals on Astros games and more.
How to watch the Houston Astros FAQ
What channel are the Astros on?
You can watch in-market Houston Astros games on Space City Home Network. National TV channels this year include FOX, FS1, NBC, TBS, and MLB Network, with some games streaming on Apple TV and Peacock Premium.
Can I stream Astros games without cable?
Yes, in-market Astros fans can subscribe directly to SCHN+ for local coverage, while out-of-market fans can stream every non-nationally televised game through MLB.TV. For a full channel lineup including national broadcasts, live TV streaming services like DIRECTV and Fubo carry Space City Home Network along with FOX, FS1, and NBC.
Why are Astros games blacked out in my area?
If you're in the broadcast territory of the Astros or their opponent and trying to use MLB.TV to watch the game, you'll be blacked out. In-market Astros fans will need Space City Home Network to watch home and away games.
Can I watch the Houston Astros for free?
You can watch games on FOX and NBC with an over-the-air antenna. Otherwise, getting a limited free trial to a live TV streaming service is really the only way to watch a few games for free before having to pay.
Why you should trust us
Our CableTV.com junior sports writer, Alex Vejar, reviewed the details of the 2026 Houston Astros schedule. He then researched which TV and streaming providers offered the most channels to watch Astros games. Using that information, he made a recommendation that he feels is best for Astros fans.
Check out our How We Rank page to learn more about our review methods.
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