If you’re trying to keep up with the Houston Rockets television schedule this season, things look a whole lot different than they did a couple of years back. Honestly, it’s a bit of a maze. Remember when every game was just on one local channel and maybe three national ones? Those days are gone. With the NBA's new media rights deals kicking in and the Rockets' sudden surge in popularity—largely thanks to the massive Kevin Durant trade—the schedule is spread across more apps and networks than ever.
The team has gone from being a national afterthought to a "must-watch" squad. We're talking about a jump from a handful of national appearances to 28 games on the big stage. If you're a fan living in H-Town or a KD stan following from afar, you've gotta know which subscription actually gets you the game tonight.
Where to Find the Rockets on Local TV
For most people living in the Houston area, Space City Home Network (SCHN) remains the primary home for Rockets basketball. They are carrying about 65 games this season. It's the regional sports network (RSN) that also handles the Astros, so if you've got cable or Fubo, you’re mostly set for the local feed.
But here is the kicker: SCHN still hasn't launched a standalone "direct-to-consumer" streaming app. You can’t just pay them $20 a month to watch like you can with some other teams. You basically need a "big" TV package.
- Fubo: Probably the easiest way to get SCHN without a traditional contract.
- DirecTV Stream: Pricey, but it’s the other major streaming option that carries the local RSN.
- Xfinity/Spectrum: Old-school cable still works, but it's becoming less common.
If you’re outside the Houston broadcast region (which includes parts of Louisiana and Arkansas), you’re actually in luck. You can just grab NBA League Pass. It lets you stream almost every Rockets game, though you’ll still deal with blackouts when they play on national TV or when they're playing a team in your local market.
The National TV Takeover
Because the Rockets finished so high in the West last season and then added a future Hall of Famer, the league is shoving them into every primetime slot possible. You’re going to see the Houston Rockets television schedule prominently featured on four different national partners.
NBC and Peacock
The NBA is back on NBC, and the Rockets are a huge part of that revival. They actually kicked off the season on NBC against the Thunder. You'll find a heavy dose of Tuesday night and Sunday night games here.
- NBC: Big weekend and Tuesday night games.
- Peacock: Several exclusive games that aren't on TV at all. You need the app for these.
Amazon Prime Video
This is the new kid on the block. Amazon has exclusive rights to many Thursday and Friday night games. For example, the upcoming game against the Detroit Pistons on January 23 is an Amazon exclusive. If you have a Prime membership, you’re good. If not, you’re staring at a dark screen.
ESPN and ABC
The classic "big" games are still here. The Rockets' Christmas Day game against the Lakers was the crown jewel of this part of the schedule. You'll also see them on Saturday Night Primetime on ABC several times throughout February and March, specifically against teams like the Knicks and the Mavericks.
Key Dates Remaining on the Houston Rockets Television Schedule
Keeping track of tip-off times is a headache because of the time zone shifts. Most home games at the Toyota Center start at 7:00 PM or 7:30 PM CT, but the West Coast road trips can push games past 9:00 PM.
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- January 16: vs. Minnesota Timberwolves (ESPN)
- January 20: vs. San Antonio Spurs (NBC/Peacock)
- January 23: @ Detroit Pistons (Amazon Prime Video)
- January 31: vs. Dallas Mavericks (ABC)
- February 7: @ Oklahoma City Thunder (ABC)
- March 5: vs. Golden State Warriors (Amazon Prime Video)
- March 11: @ Denver Nuggets (ESPN)
Honestly, it’s worth noting that "flex scheduling" is a real thing. If the Rockets or their opponent start sliding in the standings, the NBA can swap a national game for a different one. But with the way Ime Udoka has this team playing, that seems unlikely.
Streaming vs. Cable: What’s the Best Deal?
If you want every single game, there isn't one "perfect" price. To get 100% of the Houston Rockets television schedule, you basically need a combination.
If you go with YouTube TV, you get ESPN, ABC, and NBC, but you lose the local Space City Home Network games. If you go with Fubo, you get the local games but you're missing certain channels depending on your tier.
The most "complete" setup for a Houston resident is probably DirecTV Stream combined with an Amazon Prime account and a Peacock subscription. It’s expensive. It’s annoying. But it’s the only way to ensure you don't miss a buzzer-beater because you didn't have the right login.
How to Listen if You Can't Watch
Sometimes you're stuck in traffic on I-45 and just need the radio. The Rockets are still loyal to SportsTalk 790 KBME as their flagship station. If there’s a conflict with an Astros game, they usually move over to NewsRadio 740 KTRH. For Spanish speakers, TUDN 93.3 FM carries the call for every home and away game.
Practical Steps for Rockets Fans
To make sure you're ready for the next tip-off, do these three things right now:
- Check your Prime and Peacock subs: The NBA is leaning hard into streaming. If you don't have these, you'll miss at least 10-12 games this year.
- Sync your calendar: Use the official Rockets app or a third-party calendar sync to get the "TV Channel" info directly into your phone's alerts.
- Confirm your RSN: If you're using a streaming service like Hulu + Live TV, double-check that you actually have Space City Home Network; otherwise, you’ll be blacked out for roughly 75% of the season.
The schedule is packed, the team is finally good again, and the broadcasts are higher quality than they've been in a decade. Just make sure you've got the right app open before the ball goes up.