List of United States over-the-air television networks

The five major U.S. broadcast network logos

In the United States, for most of the history of broadcasting, there were only three or four major commercial national broadcast networks. From 1946 to 1956, these were ABC, CBS, NBC and DuMont (though the Paramount Television Network had some limited success during these years). From 1956 to 1986, the "Big Three" national commercial networks were ABC, CBS, and NBC (with a few limited attempts to challenge them, such as National Telefilm Associates [and its NTA Film Network] and the Overmyer Network). From 1954 to 1970, National Educational Television was the national clearinghouse for public television programming; the Public Broadcasting Service (PBS) succeeded it in 1970.

Today, more than 50 national broadcasting networks exist. Other than the non-commercial educational (NCE) PBS, which is composed of member stations, the largest broadcast television networks are the traditional Big Three television networks (ABC, CBS and NBC). Many other large networks exist, however, notably Fox and The CW which air original programming for two hours each night instead of three like the original "Big Three" do, as well as syndication services like MyNetworkTV and Ion Television which feature reruns of recent popular shows with little to no original programming. Fox has just about the same household reach percentage as the Big Three, and is therefore often considered a peer to ABC, NBC, and CBS since it has also achieved equal or better ratings since the late 1990s. Most media outlets now include Fox in what they refer to as the "Big Four" television networks.

The transition to digital broadcasting in 2009 has allowed for television stations to offer additional programming options through digital subchannels, one or more supplementary programming streams to the station's primary channel that are achieved through multiplexing of a station's signal. A number of new commercial networks airing specialty programming such as movies, reruns of classic series and lifestyle programs have been created from companies like Weigel Broadcasting, Luken Communications and even owners of the major networks such as The Walt Disney Company (through the Disney–ABC Television Group subsidiary) and Comcast (through the NBCUniversal subsidiary). Through the use of multicasting, there have also been a number of new Spanish-language and non-commercial public television networks that have launched.

Broadcast networks in the United States can be divided into four categories:

Each network sends its signal to many local affiliate television stations across the country. These local stations then air the "network feed," with programs broadcast by each network being viewed by up to tens of millions of households across the country. In the case of the largest networks, the signal is sent to over 200 stations. In the case of the smallest networks, the signal may be sent to just a dozen or fewer stations.

As of the 2015-16 television season, there are an estimated 116.4 million households in the United States with at least one television set.[1]

Table of broadcast networks

All of the networks listed below operate a number of terrestrial television stations. In addition, several of these networks are also aired on cable and satellite services.

Major English-language commercial networks

Television network Founded % of U.S. households reached # of households viewable # of Full-Power Affiliates # of Low-power/Class-A affiliates and transmitters
NBC 1946[2] 97% 112,811,000 226 ~338
CBS 1948[2] 97% 112,811,000 215 ~299
ABC 1948[2] 97% 112,811,000 229 ~266
Fox 1986[3] 97% 112,811,000 223 ~202
The CW 2006[4] 95% 110,485,000 204 ~11

Public television networks

Television network Founded % of U.S. households reached # of households viewable Network type # of Full-power affiliates # of Low-power/Class-A affiliates and transmitters
PBS 1969[5] 96% 111,648,000 Nonprofit/cooperative 349 ~342
Create 2006 72% 83,736,000 Public TV/instructional 227 0
World 2007 59% 68,617,000 News and documentaries 160 0
V-me 2007 47% 54,661,000 Spanish educational 51 1
MHz WorldView / MHz Networks 2001 31% 36,053,000 Educational/international 29 1
NHK World 1998 18% 20,934,000 Japanese news and information 7 0
FNX (First Nations Experience) 2011 11% 12,804,000 Native American programming 11 3
France 24 2006 10% 11,640,000 International news 5 4
MiND (MiND: Media Independence) 2007 9% 10,467,000 Multicultural, educational 2 0
Classic Arts Showcase 1994 6% 6,978,000 Non-commercial performance art video clips 3 3
DW-TV (Deutsche Welle) 1953 2% 2,326,000 Multicultural 1 2
Minnesota Channel 2005 2% 2,326,000 Educational television, public affairs, ethnic and local programming 17 0

Spanish-language networks

Television network Founded % of U.S. households reached # of households viewable Network type # of Full-power affiliates # of Low-power/Class-A affiliates and transmitters
Univision 1986[6] 55% 63,580,000 Spanish commercial 46 13
Telemundo 1954 54% 62,424,000 Spanish commercial 48 26
UniMás 2002[7] 46% 53,544,000 Spanish commercial 35 10
Estrella TV 2009 38% 44,232,000 Spanish commercial 28 19
MundoMax 2012 38% 44,232,000 Spanish commercial 25 39
Azteca 2001 32% 37,248,000 Spanish commercial 14 28
LATV 2001 32% 37,248,000 Bilingual (English/Spanish) entertainment 27 16
TeleXitos 2012 27% 31,428,000 Spanish commercial 16 1
TeLe-Romántica 2012 18% 20,808,000 Telenovelas/lifestyle 3 11
Mega TV 2006 6% 6,984,000 Spanish commercial 5 1
Inmigrante TV 2010 2% 2,328,000 2 0
Multimedios 1968 2% 2,312,000 Spanish commercial 6 2
CNN en Español 1997 1.7% 1,978,800 News 0 2
ZUUS Latino 2012 1% 1,164,000 Music videos 0 1

Genre-based and general entertainment television networks

Television network Founded % of U.S. households reached # of households viewable Network type # of Full-power affiliates # of Low-power/Class-A affiliates and transmitters
MyNetworkTV September 5, 2006[4] 91% 105,196,000 Commercial/syndication service 162 ~40
Me-TV December 2010 91%[8] 97,104,000 Classic television series 162 21
This TV November 2008 85%[8] 94,792,000 Movies and TV shows 114 18
Grit August 18, 2014 75% 87,225,000 Action/westerns/men's Interest 110 2
Antenna TV 2011 73% 84,899,000 Classic television series and movies 87 13
Bounce TV 2011 72%[8] 83,736,000 African-American programming 86 8
GetTV 2014 67% 77,921,000 Classic movies 62 5
Ion Television August 31, 1998 (as PaxTV) 65% (OTA only) 75,595,000[9] Commercial/syndication service 65 22
qubo 2007 65%[8] 75,595,000 Commercial (Children's) 61 [10] 4
Cozi TV 2013 64% 74,432,000 Classic television series/movies/lifestyle 66 16
Escape August 18, 2014 59% 68,617,000 Suspense/drama/women's interest 51 5
Laff April 15, 2015 59% 68,676,000 Comedy 45 5
Movies! January 2013 58% 67,454,000 Feature films 50 12
Comet October 31, 2015 57% 66,348,000 Science Fiction 87 5
Decades May 25, 2015 52% 60,528,000 Classic TV & films/Historical documentaries 40 3
Retro TV July 2005 43% 50,052,000 Commercial, reruns 24 80
Heroes & Icons September 29, 2014 42% 48,888,000 Classic television series and films 40 14
Buzzr June 1, 2015 40% 46,560,000 Game shows 21 16
The Works April 1, 2014 23% 26,772,000 News and entertainment 10 8
Mi Casa Broadcasting September 2014 20% 23,280,000 English-language Hispanic programming 0 25
The Country Network January 2009 18% 20,952,000 Country music videos 11 11
Soul of the South Network May 27, 2013 10% 11,640,000 African-American programming 6 11
Heartland November 1, 2012 9% 10,476,000 Country music/lifestyle 7 26
PBJ September 2011 7% 8,148,000 Children's/classic cartoons 4 28
The Family Channel 2008 (as My Family TV) 2014[8] 5% 5,820,000 Classic television series and movies 4 22
Launch TV 2014 4% 4,656,000 Independent programming 0 15
AMGTV[11] 2006 2% 2,328,000 Commercial, family 1 13
TheCoolTV 2009 1.8% 2,095,200 Music videos 1 4
Punch TV URBT 2012 1.5% 1,744,500 Urban & Independent programming 0 7
FamilyNet 1979/1988 0.5% 582,000 Classic television series 0 7

News, sports and lifestyle networks

Television network Founded % of U.S. households reached # of households viewable Network type # of Full-Power Affiliates # of Low-power/Class-A affiliates and transmitters
Ion Life 2005 65%[8] 75,595,000 Health/lifestyle;
occasional movies
60 [10] 3
Rev'n 2014 46% 53,544,000 Automotive 1 41
Justice Network 2015 40% 46,560,000 True Crime/Investigation 39 5
Live Well Network 2009 25% 29,100,000 Health/lifestyle 8 0
WeatherNation TV 2011 20% 23,260,000 Weather 23 3
Biz Television 2009 18% 20,934,000 Business and financial information 2 10
Tuff TV 2009 13% 15,119,000 Male interest programming 1 31
AccuWeather Channel 2006 11% 12,793,000 Weather 18 4
Youtoo America (formerly America One) 2003 11% 12,793,000 Commercial/sports/lifestyle 2 33
Untamed Sports TV 2008 1% 1,156,000 Sports/outdoors 2 2
DrTV 2014 0.78% 895,666 Health/lifestyle 0 19
Frost Great Outdoors 2011 0.5% 578,000 Outdoors/shopping 0 5
Pursuit Channel 2008 0.15% 173,400 Sports and recreation 0 3

Shopping networks

Television network Founded % of U.S. households reached # of households viewable # of Full-power affiliates # of Low-power/Class-A affiliates and transmitters
QVC 1986 59% 68,204,000 48 13
HSN 1985[12] 59% 68,204,000 41 46
JewelryTV[13][14] 1993 15% 17,340,000 4 15
EVINE Live 1991 2% 2,312,000 2 0

Electronic program guide networks

Television network Founded % of U.S. households reached # of households viewable # of Full-power affiliates # of Low-power/Class-A affiliates and transmitters
TV Scout 2012 10% 11,590,000 0 10

Religious television networks

Television network Founded % of U.S. households reached # of households viewable Network type # of Full-power affiliates # of Low-power/Class-A affiliates and transmitters
Daystar 1982 56% 64,736,000 Religious 23 66
enlace[15] 2006? 45% 52,020,000 Spanish-language religious programming 37 9
TBN 1973 44% 50,864,000 Religious 39 10
Smile of a Child TV[15] 2005 44% 50,864,000 Religious children's programming 35 12
JUCE TV[15][16](formerly JCTV) 2003 44% 50,864,000 Religious youth programming/music videos 36 10
The Church Channel[15] 2002? 44% 50,864,000 Religious 35 9
SonLife Broadcasting Network 2010 35% 40,460,000 Religious 5 25
3ABN 1984 29% 33,524,000 Religious 2 133
3ABN Latino 2003 22% 25,432,000 Spanish religious 0 124
Peace TV 2006 20% 23,120,000 Religious (Islamic) 0 9
Almavision 2002 18% 20,808,000 Spanish religious 0 11
Dare to Dream Network 2010 17% 19,652,000 Religious 0 101
3ABN Proclaim! 2010 14% 16,184,000 Religious 0 109
Cornerstone Television[17] 1979[18] 14% 16,184,000 Religious 2 17
TCT 1977 6% 6,936,000 Religious 8 5
The Walk TV 2010 5% 5,780,000 Religious 3 12
CTN 1979 5% 5,780,000 Religious 11 5
God TV 1995 5% 5,780,000 Religious 2 2
WHT 1985[19] 5% 5,780,000 Religious 7 4
Tele Vida Abundante Unknown 5% 5,780,000 Spanish religious 1 ??
EWTN 1981 2% 2,312,000 Religious (Catholic) 1 3
Hope Channel 2003 1.5% 1,734,000 Religious 0 6
The Word Network 2000 1.5% 1,734,000 Religious 2 2
TLN 1973 1% 1,156,000 Religious 1 0
Tvida Vision 2005 0.7% 809,200 Spanish religious 0 2
The Worship Network[12] 1992 0.6% 693,600 Religious 0 1
GLC 1982 0.25% 289,000 Religious 5 0

English-language commercial networks

Conventional networks

Minor and digital multicast networks

Additionally, several of the cable-oriented theme channels (e.g. music or shopping channels) have obtained broadcast clearances, usually on low-power stations, in many markets. Among these are Home Shopping Network, and EVINE Live.

Nomenclatures for commercial networks

Nicknames referring to the major American networks (most established by the industry publication Variety as "slanguage") are as follows:

Additionally, both The WB and UPN were referred to as "weblets" by Variety, because of their smaller audiences and reduced program schedules. The CW and MyNetworkTV have more often been called "netlets," which utilizes the same definition.

Spanish-language commercial networks

Additionally, Televisa, which distributes programming to Univision in the United States, operates in Mexico, but the company's networks (Canal de las Estrellas, Canal 5 and Gala TV) have certain stations which can be received in parts of the United States located along and near the Mexican border, and likewise with the American networks have affiliates located or receivable in Mexican border cities. Some Mexican border stations (such as CW affiliate XETV-TDT in Tijuana) maintain affiliations with U.S.-based English or Spanish networks, but mainly target their programming at their American border city (more than the Mexican metropolitan area that they are based in or merely licensed to).

Although the English-language programming model in the U.S. traditionally relies on the network and its stations handling programming responsibilities, Spanish language networks handle most of the responsibility for programming, while affiliates are limited to breakaways from the network feed to provide local news, public affairs and/or entertainment programming as well as local advertising. As such, all Spanish language networks primarily available on broadcast television operate national feeds that are distributed to cable and satellite providers in markets without a local affiliate. Spanish-language independent stations also exist, though (particularly with the launch of Estrella TV), these are very limited and mainly exist in large markets.

Non-commercial networks

Public/cultural/educational non-commercial

Religious

Several religious networks allow their broadcast affiliates to carry their programming out-of-pattern through clearance arrangements, notably FamilyNet, the Trinity Broadcasting Network, 3ABN, Hope Channel and World Harvest Television.

Defunct networks

See also

Notes

  1. http://www.nielsen.com/us/en/insights/news/2015/nielsen-estimates-116-4-million-tv-homes-in-the-us-for-the-2015-16-tv-season.html
  2. 1 2 3 Although ABC, NBC, and CBS were founded prior to 1946, those companies did not begin continuous over the air TV broadcasting until 1946 (NBC) and 1948 (ABC and CBS).
  3. 1 2 DuMont's relationship with the Fox network via Metromedia is disputed, with Fox being either a modern re-incarnation, or at least a linear descendant of the DuMont Television Network (via former DuMont subsidiary Metromedia)
  4. 1 2 On January 24, 2006, CBS and Time Warner announced the merger of The WB and UPN, forming one larger network, The CW in late 2006. See The CW for more information. The CW and MyNetworkTV are also carried on cable-only channels and digital subchannels of many currently operating television stations of several different affiliations, ranging from current WB and Fox affiliates, to even NBC and CBS affiliates. The WB and UPN shut down on September 18, 2006 to merge into The CW. MyNetworkTV was created by the Fox Broadcasting Company to give programming to several Fox-owned UPN affiliates, upon the shutdown of UPN. MyNetworkTV transitioned from a commercial network to a syndication service in 2009.
  5. Although PBS was initially established in 1969, it assumed full-time broadcasts on October 5, 1970 to replace its predecessor, National Educational Television (NET).
  6. Date at which the Spanish International Network (founded in 1962) was reorganized and became Univision.
  7. UniMás was originally launched as Telefutura in January 2002, before rebranding under its current name in January 2013.
  8. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "The Top 25 Digital Broadcast Networks". tvnewscheck.com (NewsCheckMedia). June 17, 2014. Retrieved July 10, 2014.
  9. http://www.ionmedianetworks.com/business/ion-television
  10. 1 2 These channels are available over the air on digital channels or digital subchannels only.
  11. "Stations for Network - AMG TV". RabbitEars.Info. SatelliteGuys. Retrieved 17 September 2014.
  12. 1 2 Network founded by Lowell "Bud" Paxson
  13. Jewelry Television has around three direct affiliates; most other stations carrying its programming are indirectly affiliated with the network through Shop at Home.
  14. Prior to its shutdown in 2008, Shop at Home only broadcast its programming overnights, and thus full-time affiliates of the network carried Jewelry Television during the daytime hours.
  15. 1 2 3 4 These networks are carried only on the digital subchannels of local TBN affiliates, and are owned by TBN.
  16. JCTV is carried on some analogue and digital television stations, digital subchannels of local Trinity Broadcast Network affiliates, and cable/satellite providers, while Smile of a Child and TBN Enlace USA are carried only on local TBN affiliates. All four networks are owned by TBN.
  17. Cornerstone Television is not considered a television network in the traditional definition, rather it is a distributor of in-house produced programming. Although the main station, WPCB-TV in Pittsburgh is carried on many owned-and-operated translators, its full-power and LPTV "affiliates" typically air one or two Cornerstone-produced programs per week scheduled at different times than on WPCB and do not identify themselves as "Cornerstone Television" affiliates.
  18. Although Cornerstone Television was founded in 1970, the network did not begin even limited broadcasts until 1979.
  19. Date at which WHTV acquired two additional stations. World Harvest Television is a product of LeSea Broadcasting.
  20. Andrew Dodson (October 25, 2013). "TV Scout Brings Program Grid To Over-The-Air TV". TVNewsCheck. Retrieved November 22, 2013.
  21. Sara Bibel (May 21, 2013). "Season-to-Date: Univision Increases Total Viewers, While ABC, Fox and NBC Decline". TV by the Numbers. Retrieved January 30, 2015.
  22. "Exitos is NBCUniversal Largest Subchannel Network - Subchannel Report". Across Platforms.
  23. Michael Insalaco. "22 Spanish Networks Are On Full-Power Subchannels - Subchannel Report". Across Platforms. Report data posted here.
  24. Diana Marszalek (December 1, 2014). "Telemundo Stations Debut Classic TV Diginet". TVNewsCheck. Retrieved February 6, 2015.
  25. Michael Kokernak. "La Familia cable network to nest SOI TV programming". Across Platforms.
  26. "Programming Reports - SOI TV". Comcast.
  27. Strother, Susan G. (January 17, 1991). "Tv Network Signs Off - Out Of Cash". Orlando Sentinel. Retrieved January 20, 2015.
  28. http://www.sportsbusinessdaily.com/Daily/Closing-Bell/2015/10/21/universal.aspx
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