Watching the Houston Texans was a mixed bag for fans. The team made the postseason for a third straight year but was again bounced in the divisional playoffs.
The team has a highly touted defense that could be even better in 2026, but also has a slight quarterback issue with C.J. Stroud’s dip in production the last two seasons. But the Texans are still dangerous.
This guide provides everything you need to know to watch Houston Texans games live on TV this season.
What channel are the Houston Texans on?
You can watch Houston Texans games across CBS, ESPN, NBC, NFL Network, and Amazon Prime Video this season. You can access these major networks through most live TV providers, although Prime Video will require a standalone subscription.
Out-of-market fans can get NFL Sunday Ticket.
2026 Houston Texans TV schedule
The Texans have a 2026 schedule that features a game in London, six total primetime games (including preseason), and six matchups on national TV.
Check out the full Texans TV schedule in the table below.
NFL - Houston Texans Schedule
| Week | Opponent | Date | Time (ET) | Channels |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Preseason | Thursday, Aug. 13 | 8:00 p.m. | TBD | |
Preseason | Thursday, Aug. 20 | 8:00 p.m. | ||
Preseason | Friday, Aug. 28 | 7:00 p.m. | TBD | |
Week 1 | Sunday, Sept. 13 | 1:00 p.m. | ||
Week 2 | Sunday, Sept. 20 | 1:00 p.m. | ||
Week 3 | Sunday, Sept. 27 | 1:00 p.m. | ||
Week 4 | Sunday, Oct. 4 | 1:00 p.m. | ||
Week 5 | Sunday, Oct. 11 | 1:00 p.m. | ||
Week 6 | Sunday, Oct. 18 | 9:30 a.m. | ||
Week 7 | Sunday, Oct. 25 | 1:00 p.m. | ||
Week 8 | Bye Week | — | — | — |
Week 9 | Sunday, Nov. 8 | 4:05 p.m. | ||
Week 10 | Sunday, Nov. 15 | 1:00 p.m. | ||
Week 11 | Thursday, Nov. 19 | 8:15 p.m. | ||
Week 12 | Sunday, Nov. 29 | 1:00 p.m. | ||
Week 13 | Sunday, Dec. 6 | 8:20 p.m. | ||
Week 14 | Sunday, Dec. 13 | 1:00 p.m. | ||
Week 15 | Sunday, Dec. 20 | 1:00 p.m. | ||
Week 16 | Thursday, Dec. 24 | 8:15 p.m. | ||
Week 17 | Monday, Jan. 4 | 8:15 p.m. | ||
Week 18 | TBD | TBD | TBD |
Best TV plans for watching the Houston Texans
We think you’ll need only three services if you’re a Houston Texans fan. Below, we’ve outlined which ones we recommend, and why.
Best Overall
YouTube TV ($82.99/mo.) carries the necessary local and national channels you’ll need to watch the Texans. The service also features an exceptional mulitiview feature, unlimited DRV storage, user-friendly interface, and vast library of movies, TV shows, and news programming.
Exclusive Games
The Texans have at least two games streaming on Prime Video ($8.99–$17.98/mo.) during the 2026 season. The streaming service is also home to Thursday Night Football for the NFL. So if you’re a Houston fan who also loves pro football in general, this is a great service to keep with the league during the week.
Out-of-Market Coverage
For fans who don’t live in the team’s broadcast territory, Sunday Ticket lets you watch games live and on demand. Most Texans games are on Sunday afternoons, so this service is great for keeping up with most of the season.
YouTube TV is the exclusive distributor of Sunday Ticket. So with both services, an out-of-market fan can be covered for nearly every Texans game.
Most TV providers offer every network with Texans games, but the number of games you’ll get depends on your location because of the NFL’s TV blackout policies. Check out the table below for a list of the most popular NFL channels and where to find them.
| Provider | Price | CBS | FOX | ESPN | NBC | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cox | $20.00–$184.00/mo. | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
View Plans for Cox Read Cox review |
| DIRECTV | $84.99–$149.99/mo. | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
View Plans for DIRECTV STREAM Read DIRECTV review |
| DISH | $89.99–$119.99/mo. | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
View Plans for DISH Read DISH review |
| Fubo | $14.99–$103.99/mo. | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
View Plans for FuboTV Read Fubo review |
| Hulu + Live TV | $88.99–$99.99/mo. | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
View Plans for Hulu Read Hulu + Live TV review |
| Optimum | $15.00–$140.00/mo. | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
View Plans for Optimum Read Optimum review |
| Sling TV | $19.99–$60.99/mo. | — | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
View Plans for Sling TV Read Sling TV review |
| Spectrum | $40.00–$145.00/mo. | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
Check Availability Read Spectrum review |
| Verizon Fios | $105.00–$149.00/mo. | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
View Plans for Verizon Read Verizon Fios review |
| Xfinity | $65.00–$135.00/mo. | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
View Plans for Xfinity Read Xfinity review |
| YouTube TV | $82.99/mo. | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
View Plans for YouTube TV Read YouTube TV review |
Data effective as of post date. Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change.
How to watch the Houston Texans FAQ
How can I watch the Texans for free?
Games on CBS, FOX, or NBC can be watched with a digital antenna. A 30-day free trial of Amazon Prime Video will work for one of the two Texans games streaming there in 2026. You can also get a free trial of any one of several live TV streaming services, but those are limited to just a handful of days in most cases.
When is the Texans' bye week?
The Texas get a rest from their schedule during Week 8.
Where can I watch Texans preseason games?
Two of Houston's preseason games will air locally on KTRK (ABC 13).
How can I stream Houston Texans games without cable?
Games on CBS stream on Paramount+. Games on NBC stream on Peacock Premium. Games on FOX stream on FOX One. You can stream most local and national channels with several live TV streaming services. You can also stream games on ESPN with ESPN Unlimited.
Why you should trust us
CableTV.com Internet Editor Eric Chiu analyzed the full Houston Texans broadcast slate to determine the precise mix of local channels and streaming apps needed for the season. He cross-referenced these requirements with major TV providers to identify which plans offer the most reliable coverage for the playoffs and beyond. Eric’s final recommendations prioritize comprehensive channel lineups, contract flexibility, and overall monthly value.
Check out our How We Rank page to learn more about our methods.
