Although the broadcasting industry is constantly changing, viewers' primary method of consuming planned material is still linear television. On-demand services can lack the structure and real-time interaction that linear channels - from live news to sports and carefully chosen entertainment - offer. However, what exactly is a linear TV channel, how is it made, and how is it best run? In addition to offering advice on how to establish and run linear TV channels, this article also contains a whitepaper that can be downloaded, which outlines a detailed process for rapidly creating and launching a linear TV channel.
Linear TV refers to traditional scheduled broadcasting, where programs are aired in a specific order at specific times. Unlike on-demand streaming, viewers watch programming when it is broadcast rather than choosing the exact time themselves. This model remains essential for live sports, news, and event-driven content, where audiences expect real-time delivery.
A linear channel is a curated sequence of TV programs delivered in real time. In other words, a linear TV channel broadcasts content according to a schedule, whether that’s entertainment, news, or a thematic niche such as sports or documentaries. Linear channels can be delivered via traditional broadcast, cable, satellite, or increasingly through digital and OTT platforms.
Despite the appearance of a saturated media landscape, there is still a lot of space for new linear TV channels. Opportunities for niche channels that cater to certain communities, genres, or regional markets are being created by the growing fragmentation of audience preferences. Broadcasters can now deploy and test additional channels more quickly and affordably than ever before thanks to cloud-based playout automation. Whether it's a lifestyle channel aimed at a specific demographic, a pop-up sports channel during a major tournament, or a local news service, adding more linear channels enables broadcasters to meet people at the right time and capitalize on fresh demand.
Broadcasters have both possibilities and problems on their hands as the TV and video landscape changes. Operators must reconsider how they handle linear TV channels, from initial channel creation to playout, due to the competitive and dynamic environment. Technology advancements and shifts in viewing habits have created new avenues for reaching viewers in various geographic locations with both major and specialized channels.
But it's crucial to be able to easily build linear channels. Broadcasters must quickly introduce new channels when audience interest surges, such as during a sporting event, cultural event, or trending issue, in order to optimize engagement and grab viewers' attention.
There are a number of crucial factors to consider when creating a linear channel, such as who the target audience is, what type of content is available and how much content there is. These factors will help to determine what kind of business model to adopt and what distribution platform is most suitable. Next, it’s time to consider graphics, scheduling, and playlists.
When you set out to create a linear TV channel, several key factors should guide your planning:
1. Define the target audience – Who are you reaching, and what are their viewing habits?
2. Assess your content library – What content do you have available, and how much of it?
3. Choose a business model – Subscription-based, ad-supported, or hybrid?
4. Select a distribution platform – Broadcast, OTT, FAST channels, or a mix.
5. Plan presentation elements – Graphics and scheduling are key to creating a polished channel experience.
With thorough research and the right infrastructure, broadcasters can ensure their new channel is competitive, engaging, and fast to launch. Cloud-based playout automation software like Veset Nimbus can help simplify this process, combining scheduling, playout, and channel management in one scalable platform.
Once launched, the real challenge is managing a linear channel effectively. This involves:
• Scheduling – Maintaining a compelling mix of live and pre-recorded content.
• Playlists – Ensuring smooth transitions and a consistent viewing experience.
• Monitoring performance – Using analytics to track engagement and optimize programming.
• Flexibility – The ability to adapt quickly to audience demand or regional variations.
By adopting cloud-native playout solutions, broadcasters can manage multiple linear channels simultaneously, scale up or down as needed, and reduce the cost and complexity of traditional TV infrastructure.
Running a linear channel comes with challenges such as scheduling complexity, rights management, and distribution costs. Best practices include:
• Leveraging automation to reduce manual scheduling.
• Using cloud playout platforms for cost-effective scalability.
• Repurposing existing content libraries to fill programming gaps.
• Keeping branding and presentation consistent across channels.
With scheduled programming, real-time interaction, and communal viewing experiences, linear TV continues to provide unparalleled value in a world where streaming and on-demand alternatives predominate. Broadcasters can access new audiences, specialty markets, and income streams by effectively developing and running linear TV channels.
It has never been simpler, more affordable, or more scalable to build and manage channels with cloud-based playout automation software like Veset Nimbus. To assist you with putting strategy into practice, we also offer a comprehensive whitepaper that includes a step-by-step instruction on how to swiftly design and launch a linear TV channel.
