What does Linear television mean?
Linear television follows a channel schedule. Viewers joining the channel at the same moment generally see the same programme position, rather than choosing an individual episode and its start time.
Why it matters
The schedule gives linear viewing its familiar rhythm: a news bulletin, a drama, then another programme. Internet delivery does not change that underlying arrangement. A live channel can arrive through an app while still being linear television. Some services add pause or restart controls, but those are extra functions around the channel. When comparing a channel with an on-demand entry, think about how you want to watch. Joining tonight’s transmission and starting a film whenever you like are different experiences even when the title matches.
A practical example
A film listed for 21:00 on a channel begins according to that channel’s schedule. Joining at 21:40 usually means arriving partway through it unless your service separately offers restart or a recording.
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Related terminology: Limited series, Lip synchronisation.
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