Watching shows on your television is a great way to pass the time – especially when there are so many different TV channels to choose from with so many different shows to watch.
But sometimes, the sheer number of TV channels can seem overwhelming and intriguing. How many TV channels are there in the USA?
According to our research, a TV channel can refer to either a TV station (which mostly relays signals) or a TV network (which typically has unique content). Based on these definitions, we found that there are 1,775 TV stations in the USA. Meanwhile, there are 1,758 TV networks across the country.
Quick Navigation
What Counts as a TV Channel?
Before we can find out how many TV channels there are in the USA, we first have to define a “TV channel.”
This may sound silly, but the definition of a TV channel is actually more complicated than it seems at first glance.
In terms of viewing, a TV channel is a frequency you change your TV to. This allows you to watch the video and audio relayed through the TV signals.
However, when it comes to counting all the different TV channels in the USA, a TV channel can have various meanings.
A television channel typically refers to a television network or station.
A television network is a company that streams television content, which is either licensed from another network or created by the network itself.
It typically has its own television station for its headquarters. Large networks usually transmit their content to affiliate TV stations for areas outside of its range.
A television station broadcasts TV signals for a certain area.
They can create their own content, such as local news channels, but, most of the time, they stream content made by bigger television networks – whether exclusively or in addition to their original content.
As you can see, this can make it quite difficult to count how many TV channels there are, since many are just TV stations relaying signals from a TV network based elsewhere.
Counting TV channels based on the simplest definition of a TV channel would only result in the repetition of content.
Therefore, if your goal is to know how many different TV channels there are in the USA that show content unique to each channel, it’s best to count the number of TV networks.
How Many TV Channels Are There in the USA?
Now that we understand what “TV channel” actually refers to, let’s take a look at how many TV channels there are in the USA.
If we define the number of TV channels as the number of TV stations in the United States, then we find that, as of 2019, there are actually 1,775 television stations across the country!
However, recall that some TV stations are simply relaying TV signals from other, bigger stations located in different areas.
So, if you want to find out how many unique TV channels there are, you have to define the number of TV channels as the number of TV networks.
Once you do this, you will find that, as of 2021, there are 1,758 broadcast television networks in the United States.
What Is a Free-To-Air TV Channel?
What if you want to watch TV for free?
In such a situation, an FTA TV channel, often known as a free-to-air channel, is what you’re looking for.
A FTA TV channel is a TV channel that broadcasts content without any encryption and any fee or subscription required.
You will only need to pay to watch an FTA TV channel if the service that delivers it to you requires a subscription.
For example, if you watch the content through cable or satellite television, you must pay the TV service company.
FTA TV channels usually fall into five groups: commercial, educational, religious, shopping, and Spanish channels.
What Is a Free-To-View TV Channel?
A Free-To-View TV channel, or an FTV TV channel, is free to watch, just like FTA channels.
The only difference is that FTV channels are encoded for protection. The encoding may also limit them to certain geographical areas, such as local news stations.
How Can I Find Free TV Channels in My Area?
If you want to watch FTA or FTV channels, the best way to find the ones in your area is through the use of online tools.
Both Channel Master and Go Mohu have pages that list all of the free TV channels in the US.
Channel Master also has a page where you can view the free TV channels according to the state you live in.
Which US TV channels are the most watched?
Lastly, you may be interested to find out what the most watched TV stations in the USA are.
If that is the case, then here’s your answer!
As of 2021, the leading TV networks (in no particular order) include CBS, NBC, ABC, Fox, Fox News, ESPN, MSNBC, Univision, HGTV, and Hallmark.
Fox News, in particular, is the most frequently watched TV channel in the country.
Conclusion
The simplest definition of a TV channel is a frequency that relays TV signals.
A TV channel can also be defined as a TV network that streams unique content or a TV station, which relays signals – usually from bigger TV networks based in different areas.
The number of TV stations in the USA is 1,775 as of 2019.
The number of TV networks is 1,758 as of 2021.
A Free-To-Air TV channel is free to watch and lacks encryption.
A Free-To-View TV channel is free to watch but is encoded and typically geo-restricted.
To find free TV channels in your area, you can use Channel Master and Go Mohu.
The most popular TV channels in the USA are CBS, NBC, ABC, Fox, Fox News, ESPN, MSNBC, Univision, HGTV, and Hallmark.
We hope this article answered all of your questions!
Vance is a dad, former software engineer, and tech lover. Knowing how a computer works becomes handy when he builds Pointer Clicker. His quest is to make tech more accessible for non-techie users. When not working with his team, you can find him caring for his son and gaming.