The holiday season just got more exciting for Houston sports fans. The Space City Home Network (SCHN), a joint venture between the Houston Astros and Houston Rockets, has officially launched its direct-to-consumer (DTC) streaming app, SCHN+, making it easier and more affordable than ever to catch every home and away game without a pricey cable subscription. This is something that fans have been asking about for a few years now.
The app is now available, making its debuting on December 3, 2025. In addition to live coverage of over 220 games per year, SCHN+ will provide behind-the-scenes content, on-demand programming, and exclusive team insights. For Astros fans, full coverage kicks off in March 2026 with spring training, while Rockets viewers can dive in immediately amid the team’s hot start this season, bolstered by stars like Kevin Durant and rookie Reed Sheppard.
Pricing and Accessibility: A Game-Changer for Fans
At $19.99 per month or $199.99 annually (plus tax), SCHN+ undercuts traditional cable packages that often run $80 to $150 monthly. Existing SCHN subscribers through providers like DirecTV, Comcast, or FuboTV can authenticate for free access. The app is available on iOS and Android devices, Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV, and web browsers at schnplus.com, with more platforms on the way.
Geographically, it’s tailored for the region: Texas, Louisiana, Arkansas, Oklahoma, and select New Mexico counties (Dona Ana, Eddy, Lea, Chaves, Roosevelt, Curry, Quay, Union, Debaca). Out-of-market fans will still need league packages like MLB.TV or NBA League Pass.
Jim Colasanto, SCHN’s general manager, captured the excitement: “We’re excited to make Space City Home Network even more accessible to fans with the launch of SCHN+. Our goal has always been to deliver the highest-quality viewing experience and give the best access for Houston Astros and Houston Rockets fans.”
Rockets Alternate Governor Patrick Fertitta added, “We’re thrilled to offer another great option to ensure fans have access to watch games. This season feels special, and we’re committed to exploring new ways to elevate our broadcasts for Rockets fans to enjoy.” Astros Owner and Chairman Jim Crane echoed the sentiment: “Providing fans options on how they view our games is important as we continue to grow the game. We want to make it accessible to as large an audience as possible.”
This launch comes two years after owners Tilman Fertitta and Jim Crane acquired AT&T SportsNet Southwest in September 2023, rebranding it as Space City Home Network to stabilize and grow the network while relieving past frustrations of fans who couldn’t access certain games without.
Joining a Growing Trend: DTC Streaming Takes Over Pro Sports
Houston’s move makes the Astros and Rockets the last teams in MLB and the NBA to roll out DTC options, but they’re far from alone in this shift. Across pro sports, teams are ditching traditional Regional Sports Networks (RSNs) for direct fan access:
- NBA: Phoenix Suns (Suns Live), Utah Jazz (Jazz+), Chicago Bulls, and Dallas Mavericks all offer standalone apps for live games.
- NHL: Vegas Golden Knights, Anaheim Ducks and Dallas Stars (joint package), Chicago Blackhawks, and the Utah Hockey Team (formerly Arizona Coyotes) provide DTC streaming.
- MLB: Seattle Mariners via ROOT SPORTS Stream, plus networks like NESN 360 (for Boston Red Sox and Bruins) and MSG+/YES App (Gotham Sports) for New York teams including the Knicks, Rangers, Nets, Yankees, Devils, and Sabres.
This trend is driven by the decline of RSNs amid financial struggles, a desire for teams to forge closer fan relationships, and the flexibility of subscription models—much like Netflix for sports. It is a win-win for fans and the teams. As cable cords get cut, DTC apps empower fans with choice, bypassing bloated bundles while boosting team revenue through direct subscriptions.
What It Means for Houston
Houston is a passionate sports city, boosted especially by the success of the Astros in the past decade. SCHN+ fits directly into the broadcast world of today. It’s convenient and it’s a big step toward inclusivity. After the Astros’ playoff miss in 2025 and the Rockets’ promising rebuild, this app ensures more fans can join the action without breaking the bank. Watching Houston baseball and basketball just got a whole lot more accessible no matter where you’re cheering from.
