By Jim Kimble / Updated March 29, 2023
You can watch Houston Astros games live without cable on.
You need AT&T SportsNet Southwest for watching the Astros when the team plays at home.
Nationally televised games during the regular season in 2023 are on FOX, ESPN, FS1, TBS and MLB Network. A few post-season games air on ABC.
AT&T SportsNet Southwest is available in Texas, Louisiana, Arkansas, parts of Oklahoma and New Mexico.
| STREAMING SERVICE | AT&T SportsNet Southwest | ESPN/FOX/FS1/TBS |
|---|---|---|
| DIRECTV STREAM | Yes | Yes |
| fubo | Yes | No TBS |
| Hulu Live TV | No | Yes |
| Sling TV | No | Yes |
| YouTube TV | No | Yes |
How to watch Houston Astros Games Live
The Houston Astros air their home games on AT&T SportsNet Southwest. The regional sports network has exclusive rights to in-market Houston Astros games.
AT&T SportsNet Southwest is currently on two live TV streaming services, DIRECTV STREAM and fubo. DIRECTV STREAM has a 5-day free trial. Fubo has a 7-day free trial.
You can watch every home game this season on DIRECTV STREAM and fubo if you live in the home market of AT&T SportsNet Southwest. National broadcast games are on ESPN, FOX, FS1, and TNT.
Apple TV+ is streaming two live baseball games on Friday nights during the 2023 Major League Baseball season. The Friday night games are part of the National Broadcast schedule.
NBC’s Peacock is streaming exclusive Sunday morning games.
You can watch these games on any Smart TV or streaming device that supports the two apps. This marks the second year in a row for Apple and Peacock streaming MLB games.
Cord-cutters can watch some national broadcast games for free using a TV antenna.
How to Stream Houston Astros Games
Watching live Houston Astros games without cable TV is pretty simple. You just need a few things to start streaming MLB games on your TV.
- A streaming service that carries AT&T SportsNet Southwest and the channels that carry national broadcast games
- A Smart TV or streaming device such as a Roku connected to your TV
You can watch live TV channels through the app of streaming services such as DIRECTV STREAM. Live TV streaming services have apps for Roku, Amazon Fire TV Stick, Apple TV, Chromecast with Google TV.
These apps are available on Smart TVs, iPhones/iPads (iOS), and Android smartphones. You can watch live TV on a PC through a web browser. Gamers can watch on Xbox and Playstation game consoles.
DIRECTV STREAM
DIRECTV STREAM (formerly AT&T TV) carries AT&T SportsNet Southwest and all the other channels needed to watch every Astros game in 2023.
The Choice plan has 105+ channels and costs $99.99 per month. You can sign up for a free 5-day trial without any obligations.
Choice plan subscribers get local channels, including ABC, CBS, NBC, FOX and PBS.
ESPN2, ESPNU, ESPN3, ACC Network, Big Ten Network, CBS Sports Network, SEC Network, NBA TV, MLB Network, TNT and ESPNews are part of the Choice bundle.
Subscribers can get three months of HBO Max, Showtime, Cinemax and MGM+ for free before the monthly rates kick in.
A&E, History and USA Network are included in the channel lineup. You get unlimited hours of Cloud DVR and 40,000 on-demand movies and shows.
You can watch live TV on up an unlimited number of screens in your home.
DIRECTV STREAM works on Roku, Android TV, Fire TV devices, Apple TV and smartphones and tablets. There are mobile apps for iPhones (iOS), iPads, Android smartphones and tablets. Subscriptions run month to month and so you can cancel whenever you want.
You can look over the different channel lineups before deciding whether to sign up.
fubo
fubo (formerly fuboTV) has 152 live TV channels in the Pro plan, including AT&T SportsNet Southwest.
A&E, Discovery, ESPN, ESPN2, Golf Channel, PAC-12 Network and SEC Network, FS1, FS2, Big Ten Network and MLB Network, AMC, Bravo, USA network are also part of the Pro bundle.
A subscription costs $74.99 per month. fuboTV has a library of on-demand movies, and TV shows. Amazon Fire TV, Roku, Apple TV and Smart TVs all carry the fuboTV app.
You can watch live TV or on-demand content on 10 screens at once. fubo adds a regional sports fee. It costs $10.99 per month for one regional network. It’s $13.99 per month if you have two RSNs in your area.
You can look over the channel lineup to see what locals and regional sports networks are available in your area.
Subscribers get 1000 hours of Cloud DVR to record games, TV shows and movies. You can also catch up on a game that was aired in the last 72 hours by using fubo’s lookback feature.
Subscribers can get extra live streams, on-demand movies and TV shows by activating more than 40 apps on a streaming device or PC.
For $10.99 more per month, subscribers can add 30 more channels with the “Sports Plus” add-on bundle. Sports Plus channels include: NHL Network, NFL RedZone, MLB Network, NBA TV, MLB Strikezone, and Tennis Channel.
You can sign up for a free 7-day trial to see if fuboTV is a good fit for you. Just be sure to cancel the trial before it ends if you decide the service isn’t for you.
MLB.tv (Out-of-Market)
MLB.tv live streams all out-of-market games for every team.
Houston Astros games are blacked out for fans living in the team’s home broadcast region. The service allows subscribers who live in an out-of-market area to watch games.
A subscription to MLB.tv costs $24.99 per month.
Amazon Prime members can get a free 7-day trial of MLB.tv through Amazon Channels. You can also add MLB.TV to your fubo subscription. The regular rate kicks in once the trial ends.
Apple TV+
Apple TV+ is delivering two weekly Friday night games during the 2023 MLB season.
Apple TV+ subscribers can watch MLB games along with a number of original movies and TV shows. A subscription costs $6.99 per month after a free 7-day trial.
Apple TV+ works on most major streaming devices, including Apple TV, Roku, Amazon Fire TV, Chromecast with Google TV. Smart TVs from Samsung, LG, Sony, Vizio, Panasonic and Hisense are also supported.
Are the Astros on Apple TV+?
Here is the schedule for when the Astros are on Apple TV+.
| DATE | TIME (ET) | GAME |
|---|---|---|
| April 7 | 2:20 p.m. | Rangers at Cubs |
| April 7 | 7:20 p.m. | Padres at Braves |
| April 14 | 6:40 p.m. | Giants at Tigers |
| April 14 | 7:10 p.m. | Angels at Red Sox |
| April 21 | 7:05 p.m. | Blue Jays at Yankees |
| April 21 | 7:20 p.m. | Astros at Braves |
| April 28 | 8:10 p.m. | Phillies at Astros |
| April 28 | 10:10 p.m. | Cardinals at Dodgers |
| May 5 | 6:40 p.m. | White Sox at Reds |
| May 5 | 7:10 p.m. | Twins at Guardians |
| May 12 | 8:10 p.m. | Royals at Brewers |
| May 12 | 8:10 p.m. | Cubs at Twins |
| May 19 | 7:07 p.m. | Orioles at Blue Jays |
| May 19 | 7:20 p.m. | Mariners at Braves |
| May 26 | 7:05 p.m. | Padres at Yankees |
| May 26 | 7:10 p.m. | White Sox at Tigers |
| June 2 | 5:10 p.m. | Brewers at Reds |
| June 2 | 8:10 p.m. | Guardians at Twins |
| June 9 | 7:05 p.m. | Royals at Orioles |
| June 9 | 9:38 p.m. | Mariners at Angels |
| June 16 | 8:10 p.m. | Pirates at Brewers |
| June 16 | 10:10 p.m. | White Sox at Mariners |
| June 23 | 6:40 p.m. | Pirates at Marlins |
| June 23 | 7:05 p.m. | Mets at Phillies |
| June 23 | 7:05 p.m. | Brewers at Pirates |
| June 30 | 9:38 p.m. | Diamondbacks at Angels |
Peacock
Peacock begins streaming Sunday morning MLB games on April 23.
Games will be available on the Premium plan. Peacock Premium costs $4.99 per month. There is a free 7-day trial for Peacock Premium.
Peacock works on Amazon Fire TV, Apple TV and Roku. The service has apps for a wide variety of Android TV-enabled Smart TVs, including Sony. Smart TVs by LG, Samsung, Vizio and Hisense are supported as well.
You can sign up for a free 7-day trial for Peacock Premium.
Are the Astros on Peacock?
Here is the schedule showing when the Houston Astros are going to be on Peacock.
| DATE | TIME (ET) | GAME |
|---|---|---|
| April 23 | 12:05 p.m. | Colorado Rockies at Philadelphia Phillies |
| April 30 | 12:05 p.m. | Chicago Cubs at Miami Marlins |
| May 7 | 11:35 a.m. | Baltimore Orioles at Atlanta Braves |
| May 14 | 11:35 a.m. | Los Angeles Angels at Cleveland Guardians |
| May 21 | 11:35 a.m. | New York Yankees at Cincinnati Reds |
| May 28 | 11:35 a.m. | Los Angeles Dodgers at Tampa Bay Rays |
| June 4 | 11:35 a.m. | St. Louis Cardinals at Pittsburgh Pirates |
| June 11 | 11:35 a.m. | Arizona Diamondbacks at Detroit Tigers |
| June 18 | 1:05 p.m. | Baltimore Orioles at Chicago Cubs |
| July 2 | 12:05 p.m. | Minnesota Twins at Baltimore Orioles |
| July 9 | 12:05 p.m. | Texas Rangers at Washington Nationals |
| July 16 | 12:05 p.m. | San Francisco Giants at Pittsburgh Pirates |
| July 23 | 12:05 p.m. | San Diego Padres at Detroit Tigers |
| July 30 | 12:05 p.m. | Los Angeles Angels at Toronto Blue Jays |
| August 6 | 12:05 p.m. | Chicago White Sox at Cleveland Guardians |
| August 13 | 12:05 p.m. | Detroit Tigers at Boston Red Sox |
| August 20 | 1:05 p.m. | Seattle Mariners at Houston Astros |
| August 27 | 12:05 p.m. | Los Angeles Angels at New York Mets |
| September 3 | 1:05 p.m. | Philadelphia Phillies at Milwaukee Brewers |
ESPN+
ESPN+ is streaming one live MLB game per day that is part of the national broadcast schedule.
Out-of-market games are still governed by local blackout restrictions. You can look over the MLB ESPN+ schedule for regular season games.
You will need your local regional sports channel to watch home games.
Replays are made available after a live game streams on ESPN+. A subscription to ESPN+ costs $9.99 per month, and you can bundle ESPN+ with Hulu and Disney+.
How to Watch Astros games free with a TV antenna
A TV antenna is the best way to watch Houston Astros games that are carried on ABC and FOX for free. Astros fans can watch FOX broadcasts throughout the regular season. ABC becomes a key channel for post-season games.
If you are new to TV antennas, here is a list of resources that I have written to get you started.
- How to Choose the Best TV Antenna
- How to Connect Multiple TVs to One Antenna
- Review: The Best Indoor TV Antennas
- Review: The Best Outdoor TV Antennas
How to Watch Houston Astros FAQ
These are questions readers ask when searching for ways to watch or stream Houston Astros games without a pay TV provider.
How can I watch the Houston Astros game on TV today?
You have two choices to watch Astros games live without cable when they play at home. DIRECTV STREAM and fubo carry MLB games that air on AT&T SportsNet Southwest.
- DIRECTV STREAM Choice package has 105 channels, including ESPN, FOX, FS1, and TBS. There is a 5-day free trial, and plans run month to month. A subscription is $99.99 per month. Subscribers can watch on unlimited screens and Cloud DVR space. You can look over the channel lineup, or sign up for a free trial that lasts five days.
- fubo has 152 channels in the Pro plan, including ESPN, FS1 and local FOX stations. There is a regional sports fee. fubo has a free 7-day trial and plans run month to month. Fubo has popular sports channels such as ESPN and NFL Network, along with entertainment, news and regional sports networks. A subscription is $74.99 per month along with a regional sports fee.
Can I watch the Houston Astros on YouTube TV?
YouTube TV does not carry AT&T SportsNet Southwest. But YouTube TV does have local FOX stations, FS1, ESPN and TBS. Those channels broadcast nationally televised games. A subscription costs $72.99 per month, includes unlimited Cloud DVR and a free trial that lasts 7 days.
Can I watch the Houston Astros on Hulu?
Hulu Live TV has ESPN, FS1, TBS and local FOX channels that carry national broadcast games. But Hulu’s live TV plan does not carry AT&T SportsNet Southwest, which has home games for the Houston Astros. A subscription includes 75 live TV channels, and unlimited Cloud DVR for $69.99 per month.
Are Houston Astros games on Bally Sports Plus?
Bally Sports+ is a new streaming service that offers some key regional sports networks for NBA, NHL and MLB fans. At the moment, Bally Sports+ does not have the rights to stream Astros games.
According to ballysports.com, the service currently has rights to stream games from the Detroit Tigers, Kansas City Royals, Miami Marlins, Milwaukee Brewers and Tampa Bay Rays.
Bally Sports+ costs $19.99 per month, or $189.99 per year following a 7-day free trial. MLB fans will live games, highlights and on-demand programming.
How can I watch Astros games without Bally Sports?
Even without AT&T SportsNet Southwest, you can watch Houston Astros games on ESPN, FS1, FOX, and TBS. Apple TV+ and Peacock will also stream national broadcast games.
Can I watch Astros games on Sling TV?
Yes. But Sling’s sports channels are split between two packages. A Sling Orange subscription has some channels for the Astros when games are on ESPN and TBS. You need a Sling Blue subscription for games on FS1 and FOX.
You can combine Sling Orange and Sling Blue for $55 per month. Sling TV does not carry any regional sports networks.
Local FOX stations are in a limited number of markets. If you live in or around one of these cities, then you should be able to watch the Astros when games are on local FOX stations:
- Atlanta
- Austin
- Chicago
- Dallas/Fort Worth
- Detroit
- Gainesville
- Houston
- Los Angeles
- Milwaukee
- Minneapolis/St. Paul
- New York
- Orlando/Daytona/Melbourne
- Philadelphia
- Phoenix
- San Francisco/Oakland/San Jose
- Seattle
- Tampa/St. Petersburg
- Washington, DC
What channel is the Houston Astros game on tonight?
Houston Astros games are typically on AT&T SportsNet Southwest.
The schedule below breaks down what channel or streaming service has national broadcast games for the 2022 MLB season.
| DAY | ASTOS MLB NATIONAL BROADCAST |
|---|---|
| Sunday morning | Peacock |
| Sunday afternoon | TBS |
| Sunday night | ESPN or ESPN2 |
| Monday night | ESPN or FS1 |
| Tuesday night | TBS |
| Wednesday Night | ESPN, FS1, MLB Network |
| Thursday Night | ESPN, FOX and MLB Network |
| Friday Night | Apple TV+ |
| Saturday Afternoon | FOX |
| Saturday Night | FOX, FS1 |
For more news on streaming, how-to guides and reviews, head over to the main page of The Cord Cutting Report or follow the CCR on Google News.
NOTE: This article was published on March 19, 2022, and has been updated.
Founder and Editor of The Cord Cutting Report. Before launching the site in 2016, he worked for more than two decades as a staff writer or correspondent for a number of daily newspapers, including The Boston Globe. His enthusiasm for tech began with the Atari 2600. Follow @james_kimble
