Editing Television channel (section)

===Non-terrestrial television channels===
Because some regions have had difficulty picking up [[terrestrial television]] signals (particularly in [[mountain]]ous areas), alternative means of distribution such as direct-to-home satellite and cable television have been introduced. Television channels specifically built to run on cable or satellite blur the line between TV station and TV network. That fact led some early cable channels to call themselves [[superstation]]s.

Satellite and cable have created changes. [[Local programming]] TV stations in an area can [[retransmission consent|sign-up]] or even [[must-carry|be required]] to be carried on cable, but content providers like [[TLC (TV channel)|TLC]] cannot. They are not licensed to run broadcast equipment like a station, and they do not regularly provide content to licensed broadcasters either. Furthermore, a distributor like [[Turner Network Television|TNT]] may start producing its own programming, and shows presented exclusively on pay-TV by one distributor may be [[television syndication|syndicated]] to terrestrial stations. The cost of creating a nationwide channel has been reduced and there has been a huge increase in the number of such channels, with most catering to a small group.

From the definitions above, use of the terms ''network'' or ''station'' in reference to nationwide cable or satellite channels is technically inaccurate. However, this is an arbitrary, inconsequential distinction, and varies from company to company. Indeed, the term ''[[cable network]]'' has entered into common usage in the United States in reference to such channels, even with the existence of [[Satellite television#Direct broadcast via satellite|direct broadcast satellite]]. There is even some geographical separation among ''national'' pay television channels in the U.S., be it programming (e.g., the [[Bally Sports]] group of regional sports channels, which share several programs), or simply regionalized advertising inserted by the local cable company.

Should a legal distinction be necessary between a (location) channel as defined above and a television channel in this sense, the terms ''programming service'' (e.g.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://arbiter.wipo.int/domains/decisions/html/2001/d2001-1440.html|title=WIPO Domain Name Decision: D2001-1440|first=Arbitration and Mediation|last=Center|website=arbiter.wipo.int|url-status=live|archive-url=http://archive.wikiwix.com/cache/20060416121854/http://arbiter.wipo.int/domains/decisions/html/2001/d2001-1440.html|archive-date=2006-04-16}}</ref>) or ''programming undertaking'' (for instance,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.crtc.gc.ca/Eng/forms/efiles/f109.htm |title=Application to renew a broadcasting licence for a specialty programming undertaking |access-date=2006-03-31 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060614071402/http://www.crtc.gc.ca/Eng/forms/efiles/f109.htm |archive-date=2006-06-14 }}</ref>) may be used instead of the latter definition.