Finding the right texans game channel in houston used to be a lot easier. You’d just click over to Channel 11 or Channel 26 and call it a day. Honestly, with the way NFL broadcasting rights have fractured across five different networks and three streaming platforms lately, it’s basically a part-time job just to figure out where DeMeco Ryans’ squad is playing this weekend.
If you’re sitting there on Sunday morning scrolling through your guide and seeing nothing but The Price is Right reruns or random infomercials, don’t panic. The game is there; it’s just probably not where you looked last week.
The Core Rotation: KHOU, KRIV, and KPRC
For the vast majority of Sunday afternoon games, you’re looking at one of two places.
Since the Texans are in the AFC, KHOU 11 (CBS) is the primary home. Most of their matchups against divisional rivals like the Colts or Jaguars end up here. If they are playing an NFC team at home—think the 49ers or the Cardinals—there’s a high probability the game shifts over to KRIV 26 (FOX).
Then you have the primetime slots. Sunday Night Football is strictly an NBC affair, which means tuning into KPRC 2.
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The Playoff Twist
Things get weird during the postseason. Take the upcoming Divisional Round matchup against the New England Patriots on January 18, 2026. Nationally, that game is an ESPN production. However, because of the NFL’s "anti-siphoning" rules, fans in the Houston market don't actually need a cable subscription to see it.
The game will be simulcast on ABC (KTRK Channel 13) for local viewers.
This is a huge win for the "cord-cutters" who rely on a digital antenna. Even if a game is technically on a "cable-only" channel like ESPN or NFL Network, a local broadcast affiliate in Houston will almost always pick up the feed. It's a quirk of the league's TV policy designed to make sure the home crowd can actually watch their team without paying for a fancy sports package.
When Streaming Replaces Traditional TV
Sometimes the texans game channel in houston isn't a channel at all. It's an app.
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- Amazon Prime Video: If the Texans are playing on a Thursday night (like the Week 12 win over the Bills), you won't find it on local TV unless you’re using a very specific local simulcast.
- Paramount+: This is the digital mirror for anything airing on CBS/KHOU. If you have the app, you can stream the local broadcast live.
- Peacock: For those rare Saturday or Sunday night exclusives, NBC's streamer is the only way in.
Kinda annoying? Yeah. But that's the current landscape.
The most reliable "secret weapon" for Houston fans is actually the official Houston Texans Mobile App. If you are physically located within the Houston primary market (roughly a 75-mile radius from NRG Stadium), you can often stream the games directly on your phone or tablet for free. It uses geo-fencing to verify you're a local, so don't try it if you’re currently on vacation in Dallas.
Why 506 Sports is Your Best Friend
If you really want to stay ahead of the curve, you need to know about "coverage maps."
Every Wednesday, a site called 506 Sports releases color-coded maps showing which parts of the country get which NFL games. Because the NFL likes to protect its broadcast partners, they won't show a competing game in Houston while the Texans are playing at home.
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This is why you might see a "better" matchup on paper being skipped in favor of a random Titans game. The league prioritizes the local market interest above all else.
Radio as the Fail-Safe
If your internet goes out or the cable box is acting up, the radio broadcast is surprisingly great. SportsRadio 610 (KILT-AM) and 100.3 The Bull (KILT-FM) carry the games with Marc Vandermeer and Andre Ware.
There is something nostalgic about listening to the "Voice of the Texans" call a touchdown while you're stuck in traffic on I-10. Plus, the radio broadcast doesn't have the 30-second delay that most streaming apps suffer from.
Actionable Steps for the Next Kickoff
- Check the 506 Sports Map on Thursday: This confirms if the game is on CBS or FOX for the Sunday 12:00 PM or 3:25 PM windows.
- Verify the ABC Simulcast: For any Monday or "special" ESPN games, check the KTRK Channel 13 schedule. They almost always grab the local rights.
- Test Your Antenna: If you’re a cord-cutter, do a channel scan 24 hours before the game. High-rise buildings in Downtown or the Medical Center can sometimes mess with the KHOU or KRIV signal.
- Download the Texans App: Log in and enable location services. It’s the easiest way to watch if you’re away from a TV but still in the city.
The texans game channel in houston varies by the week, but as long as you know the CBS/FOX/ABC rotation, you’ll never miss a snap.
Stay updated on the latest kickoff times by visiting the official Texans schedule page, as the NFL's "flex scheduling" can move games from Sunday afternoon to Sunday night with only a few days' notice during the later half of the season.