So you're sitting there, remote in hand, wondering are Astros on TV today and why the guide is just a wall of infomercials and talk shows instead of Orbit and Altuve. It’s frustrating. We've all been there, especially after a long week when you just want to see a ball fly into the Crawford Boxes. But here is the cold, hard reality: today is January 18, 2026.
If you check your local listings for the Houston Astros right now, you aren't going to find a live game. You won't find a "probable pitcher" list or a lineup card either.
The MLB season is a marathon, but that marathon doesn't even start its first warm-up stretch until the middle of February. Right now, the guys are likely working out in private gyms or enjoying the last bits of the offseason before the Florida humidity kicks in. While it’s a bummer for the "I need baseball now" crowd, there is actually a lot moving behind the scenes that determines what you'll eventually see on your screen.
The short answer for today
Basically, no. There is no Houston Astros game on TV today because we are deep in the "hot stove" season. No live baseball is played in January.
The stadiums are currently being prepped, and the front office is busy trying to figure out how to navigate the luxury tax. If you turn on Space City Home Network (SCHN) today, you’re more likely to see a replay of a classic 2022 World Series win or perhaps some Rockets coverage. It’s the dead zone of the calendar, but the light at the end of the tunnel is actually closer than you think.
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When will the Astros be back on TV?
Mark your calendar for February 21, 2026. That’s the real answer to when the drought ends.
The Astros open their Spring Training schedule against the Washington Nationals at CACTI Park of the Palm Beaches. It’s that weird, beautiful time of year where the scores don't matter, but seeing the new jersey numbers and the "best shape of his life" stories feels like a holiday.
Here is what the lead-up looks like for the next few weeks:
- February 11: Pitchers and catchers report. This is the unofficial start of hope.
- February 16: First full-squad workout. This is when the heavy hitters like Yordan Alvarez and Kyle Tucker officially get to work in West Palm Beach.
- February 21: The first televised (usually) Grapefruit League game.
Honestly, Spring Training TV schedules can be a bit of a mess. Space City Home Network usually picks up a good chunk of the home games, but for those away games in Jupiter or Port St. Lucie, you might have to rely on MLB.TV or even a grainy radio feed from the opposing team's broadcast.
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Where to find them once the season starts
If you're trying to figure out your setup for the 2026 season so you don't have to ask "are Astros on TV today" every afternoon, you need to know the landscape. It hasn't changed much, but there are a few quirks.
Space City Home Network remains the primary home for almost every single regular-season game. If you have Xfinity, DirecTV, or Fubo, you’re generally good to go. But if you’re a "cord cutter" using YouTube TV or Hulu + Live TV, you're still out of luck. Those services still haven't made peace with the regional sports networks (RSNs), which is a massive pain for fans just trying to watch their team without a $100 cable bill.
For the out-of-market fans—the ones living in New York or LA or even just outside the blackout zone—MLB.TV is your best friend. Just remember the blackout rules are still as annoying as ever. If you live in Houston, Louisiana, or parts of Arkansas and Oklahoma, MLB.TV will block you from watching live. It’s a 100-year-old business model that everyone hates, but it's what we have to deal with for now.
What's actually happening with the team right now?
Since there’s no game to watch, you might be wondering what the front office is doing. They aren't just sitting on their hands.
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The big news this month was the signing of Japanese star Tatsuya Imai. The Astros gave him a three-year deal worth roughly $63 million. If you're looking for a reason to tune in once the TV cameras turn back on in February, he's it. He dominated the NPB last year with a 1.92 ERA, and the Astros are betting big that he can stabilize a rotation that has had its share of injury scares recently.
They also just wrapped up their international signing period activities. On January 15, the club signed eight international prospects, including a switch-hitting shortstop named Albert Fermin who got a $2.3 million bonus. You won't see him on your TV today, or likely for the next three years, but that’s how the "Astros Way" keeps the engine running.
The 2026 Opening Day Countdown
The real target, the day everyone is waiting for, is March 26, 2026.
The Astros are opening at home (Daikin Park, formerly Minute Maid) against the Los Angeles Angels. That will be a massive TV event in Houston. It’s a seven-game homestand to start the year, which is great for the local ratings.
In the meantime, if you're really craving Houston sports on your television today, the Houston Texans are actually playing a massive playoff game against the New England Patriots. That kicks off at 3 p.m. ET on ABC/ESPN. It’s not baseball, but it’s the best way to fill that "H-Town" sports void while the Astros are still in hibernation.
Actionable steps for the savvy fan:
- Check your subscription: If you’re planning to watch on Fubo or cable, make sure your Space City Home Network access is active before the February 21 spring opener.
- Sync your calendar: Download the 2026 printable schedule from the MLB site now so you aren't guessing about start times.
- Watch the rotation battle: When Spring Training starts, keep an eye on the 5th and 6th starter spots. With Hunter Brown leading the charge and guys like Imai and Spencer Arrighetti in the mix, the battle for those final spots will be the main "show" on TV in March.
Baseball will be back soon enough. For today, maybe grab a jersey, watch some 2017 highlights on YouTube, and get ready for the Florida sun to start shining on the squad in a few weeks.