Also called "broadcast TV," "live TV" and "linear TV," network TV refers to the traditional TV networks (ABC, CBS, FOX, NBC, PBS, etc.) that broadcast over the air without charge. Viewers watch the programs at their scheduled times and have no way to see them at a different time unless they record them on a DVR. Network TV does not include premium channels such as HBO, Starz, Cinemax and Showtime, all of which require subscriptions.
Network TV signals are picked up with an antenna, which because of today's digital signals is typically smaller than antennas for earlier analog TV. Network TV channels are also carried by cable companies and streaming services, in which case they may be viewed at different times. See
live TV streaming and
DTV.