How to watch local channels in Houston without cable
| Market | Houston, TX — around the No. 7 TV market (DMA) |
|---|---|
| Major stations | ABC — KTRK (ch. 13) CBS — KHOU (ch. 11) NBC — KPRC (ch. 2) FOX — KRIV (ch. 26) |
| Streaming options | 4 services carry Houston locals (see table) |
| Free option | Over-the-air antenna — see aiming tip below |
| Local teams | 2 major pro teams (see below) |
Streaming services with Houston local channels
These services carry local ABC, CBS, FOX, NBC feeds. In the Houston market that means stations like KTRK, KHOU, KPRC, KRIV. Confirm your locals before subscribing.
| Service | Our score | From /mo | Free trial | Streams | Cloud DVR | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| YouTube TV | 9.3 | $83 | Varies | 3 | Unlimited | you want a broad, mainstream lineup with unlimited DVR and reliable local channels in most areas |
| Hulu + Live TV | 9.0 | $83 | Varies | 2 (unlimited add-on) | Unlimited | you want live TV bundled with a huge on-demand library plus Disney+ and ESPN+ |
| FuboTV | 9.0 | $80 | 7 days | Up to 10 at home | Unlimited (varies by plan) | you want a sports-heavy lineup with a high channel count and lots of simultaneous streams |
| DirecTV Stream | 8.7 | $87 | 5 days | Unlimited at home | Unlimited | you want a cable-like experience with regional sports networks and unlimited in-home streams |
Prices are starting monthly prices seen at last review and exclude taxes/fees. Always confirm the current price and channel lineup on the provider’s site.
The free option: an antenna
A one-time over-the-air antenna gets Houston’s local broadcast channels free, in HD, with no monthly fee. Houston’s transmitters cluster near Missouri City, southwest of downtown. Full rundown: how to watch local channels without cable.
Watching Houston sports teams
Houston fans have 2 major pro teams. NFL games ride on the local stations above; NBA, MLB and NHL games usually need a regional sports network:
- Houston Texans (NFL)
- Houston Astros (MLB — Space City Home Network)
How to get Houston local channels
- Confirm your Houston locals with the channel finder, or check antenna signal for your address.
- Choose a service above, or set up a one-time antenna for the broadcast channels.
- Install the app on your TV or device, or run a channel scan on the antenna.
- Open the guide and watch Houston news, network shows and games.
Frequently asked questions
Which streaming service has Houston local channels?
YouTube TV, Hulu + Live TV, FuboTV and DirecTV Stream carry Houston locals such as KTRK (ABC), KHOU (CBS), KPRC (NBC), KRIV (FOX) in most of the market, but availability depends on your exact ZIP code.
Can I get Houston channels free with an antenna?
Yes. An over-the-air antenna picks up Houston’s broadcast stations in HD with no monthly fee. Houston’s transmitters cluster near Missouri City, southwest of downtown.
How do I watch Houston sports teams without cable?
NFL games air on Houston broadcast stations. Other teams use regional networks — for example, Houston Astros games air on Space City Home Network. DirecTV Stream and FuboTV carry the most RSNs; confirm by ZIP code.