Streaming now available to some

Astros games on Root Sports Southwest can be streamed beginning Tuesday by authenticated subscribers to DirecTV and Consolidated Communications in the Houston area via MLB.com, HoustonAstros.com and MLB At Bat.

In-market streaming will be available at a later date for AT&T U-verse subscribers, the network and team officials said Monday.

Comcast subscribers, however, will be unable to stream games under the steaming agreement announced Monday for the AT&T-owned Root Sports channels in Houston, Seattle, Denver and Pittsburgh.

Comcast has been unable to reach an agreement with MLB Advanced Media and AT&T regarding authentication issues that would enable Comcast’s Houstonarea subscribers to stream Astros games outside their homes. The authentication process would allow BAM and AT&T/DirecTV access to information to its subscribers that Comcast is unwilling to provide.

A Comcast spokesman had no information on whether negotiations were still under way on the matter.

To stream Astros games, viewers must subscribe to a DirecTV or Consolidated Communications service tier that includes Root Sports Southwest.

Root Sports Southwest is in the process of developing its own streaming platform but has yet to offer a service similar to the FoxSportsGo app, which allows subscribers in this area to stream Texas Rangers games airing on Fox Sports Southwest.

Streaming for Astros games comes at no additional cost to DirecTV and Consolidated Communications subscribers.

“This is an important step for Root Sports and great news for Astros fans,” said Patrick Crumb, president of AT&T Sports Networks.

“We are excited our fans now have increased flexibility and access to Houston Astros broadcasts,” said Reid Ryan, the Astros’ president of business operations.