Tegna Makes KHOU and KTBU Local Broadcast Home of the Houston Comets From 2027

Tegna and the Houston Comets announced a multi-year partnership on October 22, 2026, making KHOU and KTBU the WNBA team's local broadcast home beginning with the 2027 season. Stock Titan reported the agreement, which also covers advertising and sponsorship sales for Comets broadcasts on the stations.

How the KHOU and KTBU Comets Deal Works

Locally available Comets games will air free over-the-air on KTBU, with select games each season simulcast on KHOU, Tegna's CBS affiliate in Houston. The games will also be simulcast on Space City Home Network, the team's regional sports network, and on SCHN+, its direct-to-consumer streaming service. Fans can watch the KTBU games free with an antenna.

As a founding marketing partner, KHOU will create new and exclusive Comets content year-round, with coverage across its newscasts, 24/7 streaming channel and digital platforms. TradingView also reported the partnership includes exclusive content and advertising sales.

"The Comets' return to Houston is a big moment for the city, and we're proud to be part of it," said Brad Ramsey, senior vice president and head of sports rights at Tegna. "This partnership expands our WNBA footprint and lets us connect the team with the community, bringing fans closer to the Comets on and off the court, all year."

Gretchen Sheirr, president of business operations for the Houston Rockets and Comets, said the WNBA continues to reach new heights and that the partnership with Tegna makes Comets basketball more accessible to fans across the Houston area through free, over-the-air broadcasts on KTBU and additional coverage on KHOU. David Loving, president and general manager of KHOU, said the station has covered Houston sports for decades and is ready to bring Comets action to fans across the region as a founding partner.

The Comets are one of the WNBA's original eight franchises and won the league's first four championships. Yahoo reported that Morgan Tuck plans to remain general manager as the Connecticut Sun moves to Houston as the Comets this offseason, leading the team at Toyota Center next year.

Tegna's Sports Rights Record

According to akta.pro company records, Tegna operates 64 local television stations across 51 U.S. markets and reaches an average of 100 million people monthly across web, mobile apps, streaming and linear television. The same records list a February 2026 multi-year partnership extension with the Seattle Kraken to deliver free over-the-air NHL games across the Pacific Northwest, and the 2021 acquisition of the Locked On Podcast Network, which grew to 275 daily podcasts and generated 515 million streams in 2025.

Earlier Tegna Agreements

Tegna and Disney Entertainment Television renewed ABC affiliation agreements in October 2026 for all of Tegna's ABC-affiliated stations across 13 U.S. markets, including KBMT, KIII, KVUE, KXTV, WATN, WFAA, WHAS, WJXX, WNEP, WOI, WQAD, WVEC and WZZM, Stock Titan reported. In the same month, Tegna appointed Tim Thomas to lead WXIA, WATL and WMAZ, succeeding Kristie Gonzales, per Stock Titan. MediaPost reported in August 2026 that Nexstar is integrating staff from its Houston CBS affiliate, KHOU, into the local CW39 news lineup following its approved $6.2 billion merger with Tegna.

Comets Coverage Start Date

Comets games will begin airing on KTBU and KHOU with the team's 2027 season.