ROOT Sports Southwest to Debut Nov. 17 with Primetime NBA Game between Rockets and Memphis Grizzlies

DIRECTV Sports Networks and AT&T* U-verse TV today debuted the ROOT Sports Southwest regional sports network, immediately making the channel, Rockets games and upcoming Astros games available to four times as many households throughout the Houston area. The network went live at 6 a.m. CT today, and tonight at 7 p.m. CT, Houston Rockets fans can watch their team take on the Memphis Grizzlies.

Under the management of DIRECTV, ROOT Sports Southwest will be available in more than 4 million Houston area homes - up from fewer than 1 million during the past two Rockets and Astros seasons.

ROOT Sports Southwest is now available to AT&T U-verse subscribers on channels 758 in SD/1758** in HD and DIRECTV customers on channel 674. Local Comcast cable customers will see ROOT Sports Southwest in place of CSN Houston on channels 39 in SD/639 in HD. The new network’s programming schedule is available on www.rootsports.com.

“We know these past two years have been tough for many Rockets and Astros fans who couldn’t cheer on their teams while sitting in front of their TVs at home,” said Patrick Crumb, president of DIRECTV Sports Networks, which will oversee daily operations of the new channel. “So we welcome this opportunity to work with the teams and the talented, passionate Houston-based network staff to deliver a high quality, innovative sports network that millions more families can enjoy.”

“This is a great day for Houston sports fans,” said Aaron Slator, president, content development, AT&T. “Together with DIRECTV Sports Networks, we're excited to be able to offer ROOT Sports Southwest and bring the Rockets and Astros back into the homes of our U-verse customers.”

ROOT Sports Southwest will produce all Rockets games and future Astros coverage exclusively in high-definition.

DIRECTV operates three other ROOT Sports networks in Pittsburgh, Denver and Seattle.

About DIRECTV Sports Networks: DIRECTV Sports Networks is a wholly owned subsidiary of DIRECTV and operates four regional sports networks branded as ROOT SPORTS. The four networks (based in Houston, Bellevue, WA, Denver and Pittsburgh) are distributed across 25 states and hold exclusive regional telecast rights to more than two dozen professional and collegiate teams including the Houston Rockets, Utah Jazz, Houston Astros, Pittsburgh Pirates, Colorado Rockies, Seattle Mariners, Pittsburgh Penguins, Seattle Sounders FC and Portland Timbers, among others. ROOT SPORTS Networks also provide Big Sky, Mountain West, Pac-12, Big 12, Conference USA and other collegiate football, basketball and other events.

About AT&T

AT&T Inc. (NYSE:T) is a premier communications holding company and one of the most honored companies in the world. Its subsidiaries and affiliates – AT&T operating companies – are the providers of AT&T services in the United States and internationally. With a powerful array of network resources that includes the nation’s most reliable 4G LTE network, AT&T is a leading provider of wireless, Wi-Fi, high speed Internet, voice and cloud-based services. A leader in mobile Internet, AT&T also offers the best global wireless coverage, based on offering roaming in more countries than any other U.S. based carrier, and offers the most wireless phones that work in the most countries. It also offers advanced TV service with the AT&T U-verse® brand. The company’s suite of IP-based business communications services is one of the most advanced in the world.

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Reliability claim based on data transfer completion rates on nationwide 4G LTE networks. 4G LTE availability varies.

*AT&T products and services are provided or offered by subsidiaries and affiliates of AT&T Inc. under the AT&T brand and not by AT&T Inc.

**Available to subscribers of the U200 package and above. Geographic and service restrictions apply to AT&T U-verse. Call or go to www.att.com/uverse to see if you qualify.

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