You're standing in the chip aisle, frantically scrolling your phone because kickoff is in twenty minutes and you realized you have no clue where the game is. We've all been there. Trying to figure out the houston texans on what channel feels like solving a Rubik's Cube while someone is shouting "Go Texans!" in your ear.
Everything changed when the NFL sliced up the broadcasting rights like a Thanksgiving turkey. One week it's CBS. The next, you're looking for a login for a streaming service you forgot you subscribed to three years ago. If you're looking for the short answer: today's Divisional Round game against the New England Patriots (January 18, 2026) is on ESPN and ABC.
But that's just for today.
The basic breakdown for the 2025-2026 season
If you live in the 713 or 832, your life is a little easier. Local fans can usually rely on the "Big Four" networks. Most Sunday afternoon games land on KHOU (CBS) or KRIV (FOX).
CBS is the traditional home for AFC teams, so that’s your default setting. However, if the Texans are playing an NFC team like the Cowboys or the Giants, don't be shocked if you have to flip over to FOX.
💡 You might also like: Navy Notre Dame Football: Why This Rivalry Still Hits Different
Here is how the landscape looks right now:
- Sunday Afternoon Games: Usually CBS or FOX.
- Monday Night Football: ESPN, and often simulcast on ABC.
- Sunday Night Football: NBC (KPRC in Houston).
- Thursday Night Football: Amazon Prime Video.
- Playoff Games: This is where it gets messy. It’s a rotation between all the above plus some exclusive streaming windows.
Honestly, the biggest headache for fans this year has been the "exclusive" windows. Remember that Week 12 game against the Bills? If you didn't have an Amazon Prime subscription, you were basically out of luck unless you went to a sports bar.
Streaming the Texans without a heart attack
Cutting the cord is great until you realize you need five different apps to watch one football team. If you're trying to find houston texans on what channel through a streaming lens, you have a few solid options that don't involve a two-year cable contract.
YouTube TV has emerged as the heavy hitter here. Why? Because they carry the local affiliates (ABC, CBS, FOX, NBC) and they are the exclusive home of NFL Sunday Ticket. If you live in Austin, Dallas, or—heaven forbid—New York, Sunday Ticket is the only way to see the Texans when they aren't the "national" game.
📖 Related: LeBron James Without Beard: Why the King Rarely Goes Clean Shaven Anymore
Fubo is another big one for sports junkies. It's basically cable via the internet. It carries almost everything you need, including the NFL Network, which occasionally gets an exclusive game like that Saturday matchup against the Chargers back in December.
NFL+ is the budget pick, but there's a catch. You can watch live local and primetime games, but only on your phone or tablet. You can't cast it to your 75-inch TV. It’s perfect if you’re stuck at a wedding or working a shift, but it kinda sucks for a watch party.
The "Hidden" ways to watch
Don't overlook the humble digital antenna. If you are within 50 miles of the Houston broadcast towers, a $30 antenna from a big-box store will get you the Texans on CBS, FOX, NBC, and ABC in high definition for free. Forever.
No monthly bill. No "streaming delay" where your neighbor screams because of a touchdown 30 seconds before it happens on your screen.
👉 See also: When is Georgia's next game: The 2026 Bulldog schedule and what to expect
What happened to the 2025 schedule?
The Texans had a wild ride this year. After that massive win against the Steelers in the Wild Card round (30-6), the hype is at an all-time high. CJ Stroud has turned this team into a "national draw," which means more games on ESPN and NBC than we’ve seen in a decade.
For the upcoming Divisional game at Foxborough:
- Date: Sunday, January 18, 2026
- Time: 3:00 PM ET (2:00 PM Central)
- Channel: ESPN / ABC
- Announcers: Joe Buck and Troy Aikman
If they win this, they move to the AFC Championship. That game will be on CBS on January 25th. If the miracle run continues all the way to Super Bowl LX? That’s going to be an NBC broadcast on February 8th.
Actionable steps for the next kickoff
Stop guessing and start preparing. The NFL schedule is flexible, and "flex scheduling" means a game originally set for Sunday afternoon could be moved to Sunday night on short notice.
- Download the Texans App: They send push notifications about an hour before the game telling you exactly which local channel is carrying the broadcast.
- Check the TV Map: Sites like 506 Sports post "coverage maps" every Wednesday. They show which parts of the country are getting which games on CBS and FOX.
- Check your login: If the game is on ESPN, make sure your provider login actually works before the coin toss.
- Update your apps: Peacock and Paramount+ both carry games (NBC and CBS respectively). There is nothing worse than an "Update Required" screen at the start of a two-minute drill.
The 2026 playoffs are proving that the Texans aren't just a "local" story anymore. Whether you're watching on a dusty old antenna or a high-end streaming rig, knowing where to find the game is half the battle. Just make sure you've got the remote nearby—the channel surfing is only going to get more intense as the stakes get higher.
To stay ahead of the next flex-schedule change, bookmark the official NFL broadcast page or set an alert for "Houston Texans schedule" in your preferred sports app to catch any last-minute time or channel shifts.