Fox Sports Houston
Encyclopedia
Fox Sports Houston is a regional sports network
that covers sports in Houston, Texas
. The network operates out of Downtown Houston
.
It is the home for the Houston Rockets
(NBA), Houston Aeros
(AHL), Houston Astros
(MLB), Houston Dynamo
(MLS) plus Houston Cougars
(NCAA) and Rice Owls
(NCAA) coverage of the Conference USA
athletic conference. It also features local Houston-area high school sports.
Beginning as a subfeed of sister network Fox Sports Southwest in 2005, the network became its own 24-hour channel on January 12, 2009.
. For the better part of two seasons (2003–2005), all Rockets games not nationally televised on cable were only available on over-the-air television, splitting games between KNWS-TV and the then-KHWB (now KIAH). Working out with the new deal with the Astros and Rockets, FSN decided to establish a completely separate feed for Houston and its surrounding outer television markets, however just operating evenings and weekends, while the Fox Sports Southwest brand continues to air in the rest of the dayparts. In addition to Astros and Rockets telecasts, FSN Houston also broadcast games featuring the University of Houston
and Rice University
football and basketball teams, and local high school sports. The channel also features a Houston-branded edition of the Southwest Sports Report, the network's nightly sports news and highlights program.
Fox Sports Houston produces Rockets and Astros games for co-owned KTXH
.
On January 12, 2009 Fox Sports Houston split from Fox Sports Southwest and re-launched as a 24 hour stand-alone channel. The new feed allows the station to provide more local content and have its own identity, as well as show replays of Houston Rockets and Astros games, which the station had not been able to do before, according to Ramon Alvarez, spokesman for Fox Sports Houston. It also allows for more extensive Houston Texans
coverage. Previously, Fox Sports Southwest’s Dallas feed was carried in Houston for most non-event programming.
Due to lack of bandwidth, DirecTV
and Dish Network
still treat Fox Sports Houston as a subfeed and only turn it on during Rockets and Astros games.
high definition. Prior to July 2009, the HD version of the channel was only on the air during games and displayed colored test pattern bars the rest of the time. Since July 2009, FS Houston HD has transitioned to full time channel although live sports games as well as their late night replays are the only programs in HD.
games and Rockets Live, the logo changes to FSROCKETS (with the FS in red). Finally, during Astros
games and Astros Live, the logo is FSASTROS (with the FS shown in a red).
will begin its reign as the home to both teams. Although losing the Astros and Rockets will be a huge programming loss for Fox Sports Houston, the network has announced it will continue broadcasting after their leave. Fox recently signed the Texas Rangers
to a $1.6 billion contract over 20 years thus allowing Fox Sports Houston to continue broadcasting Rangers games in the Houston market. Other programming that the network will broadcast includes Houston Texans
-related programming and Big 12 Conference
football and basketball. The Houston Dynamo
of MLS
has yet to announce whether they will keep Fox Sports Houston as a broadcasting partner or follow the Astros and Rockets to Comcast SportsNet Houston.
Regional sports network
In the United States of America and Canada, a regional sports network, or RSN, is a cable television station that presents sports programming to a local market. The most important programming on an RSN consists of live broadcasts of professional and college sporting events, as those games generate...
that covers sports in Houston, Texas
Houston, Texas
Houston is the fourth-largest city in the United States, and the largest city in the state of Texas. According to the 2010 U.S. Census, the city had a population of 2.1 million people within an area of . Houston is the seat of Harris County and the economic center of , which is the ...
. The network operates out of Downtown Houston
Downtown Houston
Downtown Houston is the largest business district of Houston, Texas, United States. Downtown Houston, the city's central business district, contains the headquarters of many prominent companies. There is an extensive network of pedestrian tunnels and skywalks connecting the buildings of the district...
.
It is the home for the Houston Rockets
Houston Rockets
The Houston Rockets are an American professional basketball team based in Houston, Texas. The team plays in the Southwest Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association . The team was established in 1967, and played in San Diego, California for four years, before being...
(NBA), Houston Aeros
Houston Aeros
The Houston Aeros are a professional ice hockey team in the American Hockey League. The team plays in Houston, Texas, at the Toyota Center. They are the AHL affiliate of the NHL's Minnesota Wild.- History :...
(AHL), Houston Astros
Houston Astros
The Houston Astros are a Major League Baseball team located in Houston, Texas. They are a member of the National League Central division. The Astros are expected to join the American League West division in 2013. Since , they have played their home games at Minute Maid Park, known as Enron Field...
(MLB), Houston Dynamo
Houston Dynamo
The Houston Dynamo is an American professional soccer club, based in Houston, Texas, that plays in Major League Soccer, the top professional soccer league in the United States and Canada. Founded in 2005 as Houston 1836, the team name was renamed to Houston Dynamo following protests from Hispanic...
(MLS) plus Houston Cougars
Houston Cougars
Houston Cougars is the name given to the sports teams of the University of Houston. Informally, the Houston Cougars have also been referred to as the Coogs, UH, or simply Houston. Houston's nickname was created by early physical education instructor of the university and former head football...
(NCAA) and Rice Owls
Rice Owls
The Rice University athletic teams are known as the Rice Owls. The name comes from the owls in Rice's crest.Rice participates in NCAA Division I athletics and is part of Conference USA. Rice was a member of the Southwest Conference until its breakup in 1996. Rice then joined the Western Athletic...
(NCAA) coverage of the Conference USA
Conference USA
Conference USA, officially abbreviated C-USA, is a college athletic conference whose member institutions are located within the Southern United States. The conference participates in the NCAA's Division I in all sports...
athletic conference. It also features local Houston-area high school sports.
Beginning as a subfeed of sister network Fox Sports Southwest in 2005, the network became its own 24-hour channel on January 12, 2009.
History
A separate FSN feed for Houston and the surrounding area began in 2005, just as the Astros and Rockets were working together to establish their own local sports network with the city's then-dominant cable television provider, Time Warner CableTime Warner Cable
Time Warner Cable is an American cable television company that operates in 28 states and has 31 operating divisions...
. For the better part of two seasons (2003–2005), all Rockets games not nationally televised on cable were only available on over-the-air television, splitting games between KNWS-TV and the then-KHWB (now KIAH). Working out with the new deal with the Astros and Rockets, FSN decided to establish a completely separate feed for Houston and its surrounding outer television markets, however just operating evenings and weekends, while the Fox Sports Southwest brand continues to air in the rest of the dayparts. In addition to Astros and Rockets telecasts, FSN Houston also broadcast games featuring the University of Houston
University of Houston
The University of Houston is a state research university, and is the flagship institution of the University of Houston System. Founded in 1927, it is Texas's third-largest university with nearly 40,000 students. Its campus spans 667 acres in southeast Houston, and was known as University of...
and Rice University
Rice University
William Marsh Rice University, commonly referred to as Rice University or Rice, is a private research university located on a heavily wooded campus in Houston, Texas, United States...
football and basketball teams, and local high school sports. The channel also features a Houston-branded edition of the Southwest Sports Report, the network's nightly sports news and highlights program.
Fox Sports Houston produces Rockets and Astros games for co-owned KTXH
KTXH
KTXH, digital channel 19 , is a MyNetworkTV-affiliated television station in Houston, Texas. It is owned by the Fox Television Stations, a division of the News Corporation, and is one-half of a duopoly with Fox network station KRIV .Along with programming from MyNetworkTV, the station also airs...
.
On January 12, 2009 Fox Sports Houston split from Fox Sports Southwest and re-launched as a 24 hour stand-alone channel. The new feed allows the station to provide more local content and have its own identity, as well as show replays of Houston Rockets and Astros games, which the station had not been able to do before, according to Ramon Alvarez, spokesman for Fox Sports Houston. It also allows for more extensive Houston Texans
Houston Texans
The Houston Texans are a professional American football team based in Houston, Texas. The team is currently a member of the Southern Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
coverage. Previously, Fox Sports Southwest’s Dallas feed was carried in Houston for most non-event programming.
Due to lack of bandwidth, DirecTV
DirecTV
DirecTV is an American direct broadcast satellite service provider and broadcaster based in El Segundo, California. Its satellite service, launched on June 17, 1994, transmits digital satellite television and audio to households in the United States, Latin America, and the Anglophone Caribbean. ...
and Dish Network
Dish Network
Dish Network Corporation is the second largest pay TV provider in the United States, providing direct broadcast satellite service—including satellite television, audio programming, and interactive television services—to 14.337 million commercial and residential customers in the United States. Dish...
still treat Fox Sports Houston as a subfeed and only turn it on during Rockets and Astros games.
Fox Sports Houston HD
Most Rockets and Astros games and national Fox Sports Net games and events on Fox Sports Houston are available in 720p720p
720p is the shorthand name for 1280x720, a category of High-definition television video modes having a resolution of 1080 or 720p and a progressive scan...
high definition. Prior to July 2009, the HD version of the channel was only on the air during games and displayed colored test pattern bars the rest of the time. Since July 2009, FS Houston HD has transitioned to full time channel although live sports games as well as their late night replays are the only programs in HD.
Current branding
A small logo bug on the top right corner of the screen is displayed during programming, reading FSHOUSTON. This is shown during most shows as well as nationally-broadcast games (with the FS colored in light blue). This changes during local games, though. During RocketsHouston Rockets
The Houston Rockets are an American professional basketball team based in Houston, Texas. The team plays in the Southwest Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association . The team was established in 1967, and played in San Diego, California for four years, before being...
games and Rockets Live, the logo changes to FSROCKETS (with the FS in red). Finally, during Astros
Houston Astros
The Houston Astros are a Major League Baseball team located in Houston, Texas. They are a member of the National League Central division. The Astros are expected to join the American League West division in 2013. Since , they have played their home games at Minute Maid Park, known as Enron Field...
games and Astros Live, the logo is FSASTROS (with the FS shown in a red).
Future
Fox Sports Houston will continue to be the television home of the Astros through the 2012 season, and the Rockets until the completion of the 2011-12 season. The following seasons, Comcast SportsNet HoustonComcast SportsNet Houston
Comcast SportsNet Houston is an upcoming regional sports network that will serve the Houston, Texas market, scheduled to launch in 2012. It will be the exclusive home of the NBA's Houston Rockets beginning with the 2012-2013 NBA season and the MLB's Houston Astros beginning in the 2013 MLB season ...
will begin its reign as the home to both teams. Although losing the Astros and Rockets will be a huge programming loss for Fox Sports Houston, the network has announced it will continue broadcasting after their leave. Fox recently signed the Texas Rangers
Texas Rangers (baseball)
The Texas Rangers are a professional baseball team in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex, based in Arlington, Texas. The Rangers are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League, and are the reigning A.L. Western Division and A.L. Champions. Since , the Rangers have...
to a $1.6 billion contract over 20 years thus allowing Fox Sports Houston to continue broadcasting Rangers games in the Houston market. Other programming that the network will broadcast includes Houston Texans
Houston Texans
The Houston Texans are a professional American football team based in Houston, Texas. The team is currently a member of the Southern Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
-related programming and Big 12 Conference
Big 12 Conference
The Big 12 Conference is a college athletic conference of ten schools located in the Central United States, with its headquarters located in Las Colinas, a community in the Dallas, Texas suburb of Irving...
football and basketball. The Houston Dynamo
Houston Dynamo
The Houston Dynamo is an American professional soccer club, based in Houston, Texas, that plays in Major League Soccer, the top professional soccer league in the United States and Canada. Founded in 2005 as Houston 1836, the team name was renamed to Houston Dynamo following protests from Hispanic...
of MLS
Major League Soccer
Major League Soccer is a professional soccer league based in the United States and sanctioned by the United States Soccer Federation . The league is composed of 19 teams — 16 in the U.S. and 3 in Canada...
has yet to announce whether they will keep Fox Sports Houston as a broadcasting partner or follow the Astros and Rockets to Comcast SportsNet Houston.