subchannel

English

Etymology

sub- +‎ channel

Pronunciation

• Audio (UK)

  (file)

Noun

subchannel (plural subchannels)

1. (radio) A distinct division of a channel or frequency band.
2. (television) An additional frequency owned by a television broadcaster used for less lucrative content.
   • 2020, Michael R. Miller, My TV for Seniors:

     […] TV shows you watched when you were younger, you'll likely find them on the subchannels of your local TV stations — which are available free to anyone with a TV set and a good antenna.

   • 2001, United States. Congress. House. Committee on Energy and Commerce. Subcommittee on Telecommunications and the Internet, Digital Television: A Private Sector Perspective on the Transition: Hearing..., page 98:

     It may well be that our viewers are going to say, "You know what? We don't care as much about 10801. We would rather have you rerun 'CBS News' on a subchannel and show your prime time entertainment in a lesser definition of digital television" […]

3. (computing) A distinct part of an I/O channel associated with a specific device.