Need to Know Information About Houston and the Region
Media outlets
Houston represents the 11th largest media market, or Houston Designated Market (DMA) in the U.S, as defined by Nielsen Media. The DMA has a population of 5.3 million and includes 19 counties. Due to its size, area residents have access to an extremely diverse media market. There are more than 325 different media outlets catering to niche and general interest needs as well as Hispanic television stations and Houston’s largest daily newspaper, the Houston Chronicle.

— Television
Houston embraced television early when KLEE-TV (now KPRC-TV) broadcast the first Houston commercial TV program 60 years ago. Shortly thereafter, KUHT-TV debuted as the nation’s first public broadcast TV station from its facility at the University of Houston. In 1995, KHOU (11), the CBS affiliate, became the nation’s first all-digital station. TV viewers have a wide range of broadcast options in the Houston area, including national network programming, home shopping, religious programming and three Spanish network channels.

— Cable Television
Comcast is the dominant cable operator in the Houston area with more than 1.7 million homes. Services offered include cable television service, high-speed Internet and digital telephone service. If you’re planning a move, let the Comcast representative know as there may be discounts that apply. Learn more by visiting www.comcast.com or by calling 800-226-2278.

AT&T also offers its U-verse services in the Houston area, providing digital television, high-speed Internet and digital home phone service. Visit www.attinternetservice.com/u-verse/ to check availability in your area of the Houston region.

—Satellite TV
DirecTV (www.directv.com) and Dish Network (www.dishnetwork.com) are available in the Houston area. Check with your real estate agent or neighbors about companies offering services in your area.

— Radio
There are more than 60 radio stations on both AM and FM dials, offering all music genres, including gospel, classical, soul, pop, Christian, Tejano, rhythm and blues, country, hip hop, oldies, top 40 and hard rock. News, sports and talk-radio options are also available.

— Newspapers
Houston has more than 100 daily and non-daily newspapers based in the city along with 22 university newspapers. Houston’s largest newspaper is the Houston Chronicle, with a daily circulation of 425,138, making it the ninth-largest in the U.S. The Galveston County Daily News is the oldest newspaper in Texas and was first published in 1842. Many U.S. and global news outlets maintain bureau offices in Houston, particularly to cover the energy markets. Among them, include the Associated Press, Bloomberg Business News, Dallas Morning News, Dow Jones Newswire, Forbes, Los Angeles Times, New York Times, Petroleum Intelligence Weekly, Platts Gas Daily, Reuters News Service and the San Antonio Express News.

Libraries
The Houston Public Library system serves the city's culturally diverse community by offering a broad program of free educational, informational and recreational activities through a central complex and neighborhood branch libraries.

The Library system is composed of a Central Library Complex, including the Houston Metropolitan Research Center and Clayton Center for Genealogical Research, and 36 branch libraries providing a network of materials, services and programs to Houston's diverse neighborhoods. For more information about the library and its rich history, visit www.houstonlibrary.org.

Library Facts
  • Population Served: 2,149,948
  • Registered Borrowers: 797,603
  • Days Open in Year: 350
  • Holdings: 3,951,035

Library Fees
Non-resident Library Card: 
$20/six mos; $40/year 
(fee is waived for residents of the State of Texas) 

   
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