DIRECTV, AT&T Offically Launch ROOT Sports Southwest, CSN Houston Is No More
DIRECTV Sports Networks and AT&T U-verse TV today debuted the ROOT Sports Southwest regional sports network, replacing the now-dormant CSN Houston. The launch immediately makes the channel’s Rockets games and upcoming Astros games available to four times as many households throughout the Houston area. The network went live at 6 a.m. CT today, and tonight at 7 p.m. CT, Houston Rockets fans can watch their team take on the Memphis Grizzlies.
Under the management of DIRECTV, ROOT Sports Southwest will be available in more than 4 million Houston area homes – up from fewer than 1 million during the past two Rockets and Astros seasons. The launch follows more than a year of haggling and Chapter 11 bankruptcy proceedings between former owner Comcast, the Rockets and the Astros, after the network failed to secure widespread carriage throughout the Houston market.
ROOT Sports Southwest is now available to AT&T U-verse subscribers on channels 758 in SD/1758 in HD and DIRECTV customers on channel 674. Local Comcast cable customers will see ROOT Sports Southwest in place of CSN Houston on channels 39 in SD/639 in HD. ROOT Sports Southwest will produce all Rockets games and future Astros coverage exclusively in HD.