KHOU 11 News Houston Live Explained (Simply)

KHOU 11 News Houston Live Explained (Simply)

You’re trying to find the KHOU 11 news Houston live stream and honestly, it shouldn't be this hard. We've all been there. A storm is rolling in off the Gulf, or maybe there's some wild police chase on I-45, and you just want the video to play. No lag. No "content not available in your area" nonsense.

The reality of local news in 2026 is a bit of a mess. You have cable, apps, "plus" versions, and social media clips. It’s a lot. But if you're looking for KHOU 11, which has been a Houston staple since it first signed on as KGUL-TV back in 1953, there are actually a few very specific ways to get that live feed without losing your mind.

Where to Actually Watch KHOU 11 News Houston Live

Most people just head to the website. That works, sure. But if you’re on a phone or a smart TV, the experience is kinda clunky.

The "pro move" nowadays is using the KHOU 11+ app. It’s free. Not "free for 30 days" free, but actually free on Roku, Amazon Fire TV, and Apple TV. They basically realized that people aren't sitting in front of traditional TVs as much anymore. So, they built a 24/7 stream.

The Streaming Schedule Breakdown

It isn't just a loop of the morning news. Here is how the live timing usually shakes out:

  • The Early Birds: You’ve got the morning team starting as early as 4:30 AM.
  • The "Plus" Hours: This is the part most people miss. From 7:00 AM to 9:00 AM, while the national CBS morning show is on the main channel, KHOU 11 news Houston live continues exclusively on the KHOU 11+ streaming app.
  • Noon and Evenings: They hit the air again at Noon, then the standard block at 4:00, 5:00, and 6:00 PM.
  • The Nightcap: 10:00 PM is the big one for most of us.

If you happen to tune in at 2:00 PM on a Tuesday, you aren't going to see a black screen. They usually run "Verify" segments—their fact-checking program—or investigative pieces from the "KHOU 11 Investigates" team. It's better than watching infomercials, anyway.

Who Are You Even Watching?

The faces at the desk have changed a lot recently. If you haven't tuned in for a year or two, you might feel a bit lost. Honestly, the biggest news lately was Ilona Carson coming back to Houston TV.

She spent something like 16 years over at ABC 13, took a break, and then popped up as the morning co-anchor at KHOU in mid-2025. She’s now sitting next to Jacob Rascon. If that last name sounds familiar, it should. Jacob is the son of Houston legend Art Rascon. It’s a small world in Houston media.

Then you have the staples. Chita Craft is still handling the weather, and Jennifer Reyna is still the one telling you why the West Loop is a parking lot again. For the evening crowd, Mia Gradney and Len Cannon are the anchors you’re likely to see when you fire up the KHOU 11 news Houston live stream at 6:00 PM.

Why the Stream Sometimes Glitches

We need to talk about why the live stream sometimes cuts out right when the news starts. It’s usually because of "broadcast rights."

Sometimes, a local station has the right to show a segment on the air (over the waves) but not on the internet. This happens a lot with sports highlights or specific syndicated clips. If the screen goes blue or says "we'll be right back" during a newscast, that’s usually what’s happening. It’s annoying, but it’s not your WiFi's fault.

Also, if you're using a VPN, turn it off. These streaming apps use "geo-fencing." If your phone thinks you're in Chicago, the KHOU 11 news Houston live feed might block you because they only have the rights to show that content to people in the Houston DMA (Designated Market Area).

The History Bit (Because It’s Kinda Cool)

KHOU wasn't always at that fancy spot on Westheimer. For decades, they were at 1945 Allen Parkway. But then Hurricane Harvey happened in 2017.

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The water got so high it basically swallowed the first floor of the station. There’s famous footage of the anchors having to move to the second floor while still broadcasting. They eventually had to abandon the building entirely. For a while, they were actually broadcasting out of the University of Houston’s facilities before moving to their current high-tech studio near the Galleria.

That move was a turning point. It forced them to go "all-in" on digital, which is why their live-streaming tech is actually better than a lot of other stations in town.

How to Get the Best Quality

If you're watching on a desktop, go straight to the "Watch" tab on KHOU.com. But if you have a Roku or FireStick, the KHOU 11+ app is significantly more stable.

Actionable Steps for Houstonians:

  1. Download the KHOU 11+ app on your smart TV tonight. Don't wait for a hurricane to try and find the remote and type in the search bar.
  2. Enable "Breaking News" alerts on the mobile app. KHOU is usually pretty fast with the push notifications for school closures and weather warnings.
  3. Check the "Verify" section if you see a wild rumor on Facebook. They actually have a dedicated team that tracks down whether those "gas shortage" or "new law" posts are actually true.
  4. Use the "Near Me" feature in the mobile app. It uses your GPS to show you news stories that happened literally blocks from where you're standing.

Streaming local news isn't just about catching the headlines anymore; it's about having a reliable source when the power goes out or the weather gets ugly. KHOU has made it pretty easy to stay connected, as long as you know which app to actually click on.

To get the most out of your viewing experience, ensure your streaming device is updated to the latest firmware. This prevents the "hanging" or buffering issues that often plague live news broadcasts during high-traffic events like major storms or local elections. Additionally, if you are a "cord-cutter," you can also find KHOU 11 on services like YouTube TV, Hulu + Live TV, and FuboTV, though these will cost you a monthly subscription fee unlike the free KHOU 11+ app.