Root Sports reaches deal to stream Astros games

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Root Sports has reached an agreement with Major League Baseball for in-market streaming of Astros games to authenticated users, but the service likely will not be available until next month.

AT&T, which owns the Root Sports networks, is working with distributors such as Comcast and DirecTV and with MLB Advanced Media on a system that will enable Root Sports Southwest subscribers to stream games, a company spokesman said.

"We are hoping that Root Sports viewers will be able to stream the games from their distributors who decide to offer them, starting in May," the spokesman said.

Root Sports - which also telecasts Pirates, Mariners and Rockies games - was one of the last holdouts in finalizing a streaming deal. Fox Sports, which broadcasts Rangers games throughout a five-state region that includes Houston, already has a streaming system in place.

NESN, which carries Red Sox games, also has a streaming agreement but has yet to offer the service. No deals have been reached for the Nationals, Orioles and Dodgers.

Houston Astros bullpen catcher Javier Bracamonte casts a shadow on the ground covering on the field during batting practice before the start of an MLB exhibition game at Minute Maid Park, Thursday, March 30, 2017, in Houston. ( Karen Warren / Houston Chronicle ) less Houston Astros bullpen catcher Javier Bracamonte casts a shadow on the ground covering on the field during batting practice before the start of an MLB exhibition game at Minute Maid Park, Thursday, March 30, ... more Photo: Karen Warren, Staff Photographer Photo: Karen Warren, Staff Photographer Image 1 of / 1 Caption Close Root Sports reaches deal to stream Astros games 1 / 1 Back to Gallery

Root Sports Southwest is available on Comcast, DirecTV, AT&T U-verse and a few smaller systems in the Houston area.