Definition

Noun: 1. A specific broadcast frequency or digital pathway used by a television station to transmit its programs to viewers. It refers to the technical means of distribution. 2. The branded programming service or content stream provided by a television broadcaster, often associated with a specific number or name (e.g., Channel 4, Discovery Channel).

Usage

The term "television channel" is used to refer to both the physical/technical broadcast band and the programming entity itself. It is a countable noun. - When referring to the source of programs: "Which television channel is the news on?" - When referring to the act of changing between them: "He changed the television channel." - When stating the number available: "The cable package includes hundreds of television channels."

Examples

Advanced Usage

• "To channel surf": To rapidly change from one television channel to another, browsing the available programs.
  • He spent the evening channel surfing instead of watching a single show.
• "Dedicated channel": A television channel that focuses on a single type of content (e.g., sports, music, news).
  • There is a dedicated channel for 24-hour financial news.

Variants and Related Words

• Channel (n): A common shortened form of "television channel" in everyday speech.
  • What's on this channel?
• Network (n): A larger broadcasting company that may supply programming to multiple affiliated local television channels or operate several distinct channel brands.
• Station (n): Often used synonymously, though it can more specifically refer to the local broadcasting outlet and its physical operations.

Synonyms

• TV station
• Broadcaster (in the context of the service provider)

Related Phrases

• Cable channel: A television channel delivered via a cable television system.
• Satellite channel: A television channel delivered via satellite transmission.
• Digital channel: A television channel broadcast using digital signals.

Noun

1. a television station and its programs
   • a satellite TV channel
   • surfing through the channels
   • they offer more than one hundred channels