--- title: "What Is a Linear Channel? Definition and Examples" description: "A linear channel is a continuous, scheduled stream that plays like a TV channel. See how one is built from live and recorded content and why to run one." url: "https://www.rentanott.com/glossary/linear-channel" markdown_url: "https://www.rentanott.com/glossary/linear-channel.md" category: "Live & linear" updated: "2026-10-05" --- # What is a linear channel? A linear channel is a continuous stream of programs played in a fixed schedule, like a traditional television channel. Viewers join whatever is on at that moment rather than choosing a title to start. ## How a linear channel works A playout system assembles the channel from a schedule: recorded programs, live feeds, promotions and ad breaks, played back to back around the clock. The output is a single live stream that is encoded and delivered like any other. A program guide tells viewers what is on now and next. ## Types of linear channel - Broadcast simulcast: an existing television channel streamed online - Pop-up channel: created for an event, a season or a festival - Virtual channel: built entirely from an on-demand catalog - FAST channel: a free, ad-supported channel distributed through streaming services and smart TVs ## Why run a channel alongside on-demand Choosing takes effort. A channel removes the decision: the viewer presses one button and something is playing. That suits news, sport, music, children's programming and any deep catalog where viewers do not know what to pick. A channel also gives older titles a second life, creates predictable ad breaks and makes a service feel active whenever it is opened. ## Linear channel on RentAnOTT Live channels are included on the RentAnOTT Growth tier, with 2,000 concurrent viewers, and on Scale with custom capacity. On Launch, live channels are a $119/month add-on. [See pricing](https://www.rentanott.com/pricing). ## Related terms - [FAST channel](https://www.rentanott.com/glossary/fast-channel) — A FAST channel (free ad-supported streaming television) is a linear channel delivered over the internet that viewers watch for free, with advertising in scheduled breaks. It looks and behaves like a television channel but needs no subscription or aerial. - [Playout](https://www.rentanott.com/glossary/playout) — Playout is the process, and the system, that turns a schedule into a continuous channel. It plays each program, live feed, promotion and ad break in order, around the clock, and outputs a single stream ready for delivery. - [EPG](https://www.rentanott.com/glossary/epg) — An EPG (electronic program guide) is the on-screen schedule for linear channels. It shows what is playing now and what is coming up on each channel, usually as a grid of channels against time, and lets the viewer tune to a program from it. - [Live streaming](https://www.rentanott.com/glossary/live-streaming) — Live streaming is delivering video over the internet as it is captured, so that viewers watch an event while it is happening, with a delay of a few seconds rather than after a recording has been uploaded. - [Catch-up TV](https://www.rentanott.com/glossary/catch-up-tv) — Catch-up TV is a service that makes programs available on demand for a limited period after they were shown on a linear channel, commonly 7 to 30 days. It lets viewers watch what they missed without recording it. - [IPTV](https://www.rentanott.com/glossary/iptv) — IPTV (internet protocol television) is the delivery of television channels and on-demand video using internet protocol. In its original sense it runs over a telecom operator's own managed network to a set-top box, rather than over the open internet. - [Live event](https://www.rentanott.com/glossary/live-event) — A live event is a single scheduled stream with a defined start and end, such as a match, a concert, a conference or a premiere. Unlike a linear channel it does not run continuously, and unlike on-demand video everyone watches it at the same time. ## Further reading - [IP boxes and IPTV explained](https://www.rentanott.com/blogs/ip-box-iptv) - [Choosing a live streaming player](https://www.rentanott.com/blogs/live-streaming-player) - [Features](https://www.rentanott.com/features) ## Frequently asked questions ### What does linear mean in television? It means programs play one after another in a set order at set times. The viewer follows the schedule instead of picking a title. ### Can a linear channel be made from recorded content only? Yes. A scheduled playlist of on-demand titles, looped or refreshed, forms a channel with no live production at all. ### Is a linear channel the same as a FAST channel? A FAST channel is one kind of linear channel: free to watch, funded by advertising and usually carried on third-party services. A linear channel can also sit behind a subscription. All 163 terms: [Streaming and OTT glossary](https://www.rentanott.com/glossary). ## Book a demo Tell RentAnOTT what you are launching. The team walks through the platform and maps the path to go-live around your catalog, markets and revenue model. Book a demo: https://www.rentanott.com/contact ## More from RentAnOTT - [Home](https://www.rentanott.com/index.md) — What RentAnOTT is, what every plan includes, and how launch works - [Features](https://www.rentanott.com/features.md) — Every core feature and optional add-on - [Pricing](https://www.rentanott.com/pricing.md) — Platform tiers, apps, add-ons, usage rates and example bills in INR and USD - [Free tools](https://www.rentanott.com/tools.md) — OTT app builder and calculators for streaming revenue, bandwidth, bitrate and pricing - [Insights](https://www.rentanott.com/blogs.md) — All streaming business articles - [Glossary](https://www.rentanott.com/glossary.md) — Definitions of streaming and OTT terms - [Book a demo](https://www.rentanott.com/contact.md) — Talk to RentAnOTT about your launch Full site in one file: https://www.rentanott.com/llms-full.txt