If you’re staring at your remote trying to figure out what channel are the houston rockets on tonight, you aren't alone. Finding the game shouldn't feel like a scavenger hunt. The Rockets are hosting the New Orleans Pelicans at the Toyota Center right now, and if you're in the Houston area, your destination is almost always Space City Home Network (SCHN).
The tip-off is set for 6:00 PM CT (7:00 PM ET). It’s a Sunday night matchup, and honestly, the Rockets are looking pretty solid as 13.5-point favorites. But "how" you watch depends entirely on where you’re sitting and what kind of subscription you're paying for.
The Local Home for Rockets Basketball
For the vast majority of fans living in the Houston market—which includes southeast Texas and parts of Louisiana and Arkansas—Space City Home Network is the primary broadcaster. This is the regional sports network (RSN) owned by the Rockets and the Astros.
If you have traditional cable, you’ll likely find SCHN on Xfinity (channels 39/639) or AT&T U-verse (channels 758/1758). For those who have made the jump to satellite, DirecTV carries it on channel 674.
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Sometimes things get messy when the Rockets and Astros play at the same time. While that isn't an issue in mid-January, keep SCHN2 in the back of your mind for future reference. It’s the overflow channel for when the schedule gets crowded.
What Channel Are The Houston Rockets On Tonight For Cord-Cutters?
If you’ve ditched the cable box, you’ve got fewer options than you might like, but they are reliable. Fubo is basically the gold standard for Rockets fans because it’s one of the few streaming services that actually carries Space City Home Network.
DIRECTV STREAM also carries the channel, provided you’ve signed up for their "Choice" package or higher.
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Don't bother looking for the game on YouTube TV or Hulu + Live TV if you're looking for the local SCHN broadcast. They haven't reached a deal to carry the network. You’ll be able to see the Rockets on those platforms only when they play on national TV—think ESPN, ABC, or the new NBC/Peacock Sunday night slots. Tonight, however, is a regional affair.
Watching from Outside of Texas
Living in New York but still bleeding Rockets red? You're actually in a better spot for streaming. NBA League Pass is your best friend here. It’ll let you stream the game live as long as you aren't in the Houston or New Orleans "blackout" zones.
If you are inside those zones, League Pass will block the live feed, and you’ll have to wait until the game is over to watch the replay. It’s a frustrating rule, but it’s how the TV contracts are currently structured.
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Radio and Alternative Ways to Follow
Maybe you’re stuck in traffic on I-10 or just prefer the old-school vibe of radio. You can catch the play-by-play on SportsTalk 790 AM (KBME). They are the flagship station, and they usually do a great pre-game show to get you hyped.
For Spanish-language coverage, tune your dial to TUDN 93.3 FM.
Game Day Essentials
- Opponent: New Orleans Pelicans
- Venue: Toyota Center, Houston, TX
- Time: 6:00 PM CT
- Key Player to Watch: Keep an eye on Alperen Şengün. The Pelicans often struggle with mobile big men who can pass, and he’s been the engine of the Rockets' offense lately.
Troubleshooting Your Stream
If you've confirmed what channel are the houston rockets on tonight but the screen is black, check your location settings. Streaming apps like Fubo use your IP address to determine if you’re "local." If you're using a VPN, the app might think you’re in Chicago and block the Houston feed.
Also, make sure your subscription is active. It sounds silly, but regional sports fees sometimes change mid-season, and some providers require a specific "sports add-on" to unlock SCHN.
Next Steps for Rockets Fans
To make sure you never miss a tip-off again, you should download the Houston Rockets official app and sync the schedule to your phone’s calendar. It usually updates with the specific broadcast channel (whether it's SCHN, ESPN, or Amazon Prime) about 24 hours before the game. If you're planning on watching via Fubo or DIRECTV STREAM, log in now to ensure your credentials are still valid so you don't miss the first quarter fumbling with a password reset.