After a prolonged legal fight in the courts, Houston viewers who had been without the Astros and Rockets for the last two years will have them back starting today. Comcast SportsNet Houston was dissolved earlier this year and that means a new regional sports network co-owned by AT&T and DirecTV will take its place. Root Sports Southwest has taken over the rights to the two teams and has already launched today.
Unlike Comcast SportsNet Houston which had limited distribution, Root Sports will not just be available on Comcast systems, but also AT&T and DirecTV which had not picked up the previous incarnation.
This means that over 4 million homes will have access to the new Root Sports while under one million could watch Comcast SportsNet Houston.
We have the official announcement from Root Sports Southwest which will be under the auspices of DirecTV which operates three other Root Sports channels across the country.
ROOT Sports Southwest to Debut Nov. 17 with Primetime NBA Game between Rockets and Memphis Grizzlies
New Network Under DIRECTV and AT&T Ownership to Re-launch in Four Times as Many Households For 2014-15 Rockets Season and 2015 Astros Season
HOUSTON, Nov. 17, 2014 – DIRECTV Sports Networks and AT&T* U-verse TV today debuted the ROOT Sports Southwest regional sports network, immediately making the channel, Rockets games and upcoming Astros games available to four times as many households throughout the Houston area. The network went live at 6 a.m. CT today, and tonight at 7 p.m. CT, Houston Rockets fans can watch their team take on the Memphis Grizzlies.
Under the management of DIRECTV, ROOT Sports Southwest will be available in more than 4 million Houston area homes — up from fewer than 1 million during the past two Rockets and Astros seasons.
ROOT Sports Southwest is now available to AT&T U-verse subscribers on channels 758 in SD/1758** in HD and DIRECTV customers on channel 674. Local Comcast cable customers will see ROOT Sports Southwest in place of CSN Houston on channels 39 in SD/639 in HD. The new network’s programming schedule is available on www.rootsports.com<http://www.rootsports.com>.
“We know these past two years have been tough for many Rockets and Astros fans who couldn’t cheer on their teams while sitting in front of their TVs at home,” said Patrick Crumb, president of DIRECTV Sports Networks, which will oversee daily operations of the new channel. “So we welcome this opportunity to work with the teams and the talented, passionate Houston-based network staff to deliver a high quality, innovative sports network that millions more families can enjoy.”
“This is a great day for Houston sports fans,” said Aaron Slator, president, content development, AT&T. “Together with DIRECTV Sports Networks, we’re excited to be able to offer ROOT Sports Southwest and bring the Rockets and Astros back into the homes of our U-verse customers.”
ROOT Sports Southwest will produce all Rockets games and future Astros coverage exclusively in high-definition.
DIRECTV operates three other ROOT Sports networks in Pittsburgh, Denver and Seattle.
Best of luck to Root Sports Southwest.
