CSN Houston Phasing Out; Hurdle Cleared For Root Sports

Another critical hurdle has been cleared so that all Houston fans will be able to see their favorite sports teams on television.

This week, AT&T/DirecTV now have the necessary permission to launch Root Sports Houston, the new network where we will see the Houston Rockets and Houston Astros.

Apr 20, 2014; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Rockets fans hold signs before game one against the Portland Trail Blazers during the first round of the 2014 NBA Playoffs at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports

As I previously wrote, this will likely enable them to launch the network sometime this month.

My best guess was next week which would be the Nov. 12th global game match up against the Minnesota Timberwolves in Mexico City.

But it could be later than that considering they just received the clearance this week.

CSN Houston just extended its telecast schedule through Nov. 16 meaning that it will likely be toward the middle to end of this month when the launch will happen.

Even the attorneys involved in the matter were projecting Nov. 14 but AT&T/DirecTV has not confirmed that date according to the Houston’s Chronicle’s David Barron.

Just how long will it take to launch a new network?

We’re about to see about that.

The actual launch of the network had been in jeopardy since there were still some kinks to work out in terms of how the Astros, Rockets and Comcast were to be reimbursed for a $100 million loan than was given to CSN Houston to start in the first place two years ago.

Aug 31, 2014; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Astros second baseman Jose Altuve (27) and center fielder Dexter Fowler (21) celebrate after defeating the Texas Rangers 3-2 at Minute Maid Park. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports

That’s a lot of bread and it’s quite understandable that those interests are doing the utmost to make sure that they are protected.

I had a feeling that it would be the main sticking point to delay the process of getting things going.

But an agreement has been worked out in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court by district judge Lynn Hughes so that the appeals process to recoup that money can continue without the delay of launching the new network.

Of course, those mentioned parties were seeking immediate payment of another $100 million in rights fees that were never paid but eventually did compromise to a point to where they’d forego that request and receive the amount over time.

Rockets’ owner Leslie Alexander was pleased with the compromise:

"“It’s great for the city,” said Rockets owner Leslie Alexander. “It’s great for the Rockets fans, and I’m thrilled. Thank you very much to Judge Hughes for letting fans be able to watch the Rockets.”"

Root Sports Houston will only be a shell of the high-quality, well-tuned product that CSN Houston had with its plethora of talent that made that engine go.

Apr 14, 2013; Houston, TX, USA; CSN broadcaster Sebastian Salazar interviews Houston Dynamo midfielder Brad Davis (11) after a match against the Chicago Fire at BBVA Compass Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports

It’s expected that we’ll only get a pregame show, a postgame show and the actual telecast itself.

Not all of the goodies that we were able to get with CSN Houston.

I had already been a longtime Comcast subscriber so I had opportunity to see first-hand how good the former network really was.

It’s a travesty that only 45 of the station’s 141 employees were holdovers for Root Sports.

Most of that 45 are in game-production which is all that Root Sports does on the local level, no Sportscenter-like coverage that CSN Houston did.

All broadcast teams with the Astros and Rockets are intact.

The network was nominated for 16 Lone Star Emmys this year.

CSN Houston did take home honors for their coverage of the Civil Rights Baseball Game — Baltimore Orioles vs. Houston Astros — that occurred May 30.

They also received recognition for their work in their annual Black History Month series which was a unique, homegrown telecast within itself.

Anyway, we will see what Root Sports Houston has to offer but it will be similar to how Fox Sports Southwest did things here — you’ll be able to see the local games but you’ll also see other games that are in the region along with national coverage.