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A cable channel is a television channel available via cable television, particularly in the United States. Such channels are usually also available via satellite television, including direct broadcast satellite providers such as DirecTV and Dish Network. Alternative terms include non-broadcast channel or programming service, the latter being mainly used in legal contexts.

Another common label is cable network, though this is something of a misnomer. While usually national in scope, cable channels are not television networks in the defined sense (as are, for example, CBS or NBC), because they provide a full national schedule and do not need to act through local stations in each media market. However, individual cable and satellite providers that carry them are sometimes called "affiliates", in recognition of the agreements required for these providers to carry each channel and that most networks offer each system a block of one or two minutes each hour to carry local advertising (or promotions for the satellite companies).

Examples of cable channels include USA Network, ESPN, and Nickelodeon. HBO and Showtime are classified as premium television services, as they are commercial-free and not included in standard multichannel cable packages.

[edit] See also

• North American cable television frequencies

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