Why don't US TV networks have their own digital channels?

[zeebre12]

Why don't US TV networks like CBS, ABC, Fox, NBC, PBS and The CW have their own digital free to air channels like in the UK/Australia etc. In Australia in the last few years networks like Channel 9 have launched free digital channels like 9go, 9gem and only last year 9Life. All other networks have recently launched several new 'subchannels'. And the UK main channels like ITV have had free digital channels like ITV2/3/4/Be for the past 10/15 years.

 

[SamH@DISH]

Why don't US TV networks like CBS, ABC, Fox, NBC, PBS and The CW have their own digital free to air channels like in the UK/Australia etc. In Australia in the last few years networks like Channel 9 have launched free digital channels like 9go, 9gem and only last year 9Life. All other networks have recently launched several new 'subchannels'. And the UK main channels like ITV have had free digital channels like ITV2/3/4/Be for the past 10/15 years.

Hello zeebre12. All channels do have their channels free over the air, including in HD and also many have sub-channel. If you have an antenna and able to pick them up, you will get them. Many people in do this for their local stations. For many people in rural area's or not in line of sight for the towers, they need to get the locals on Pay TV services, like DISH.

 

[zeebre12]

I know about subchannels in the US over the air. But like CBS doesnt have its own subchannels like Nine Network specifically has 9gem, 9go and 9life, they are not really the same. These US subchannels are not belonged to a specific US Network.

 

[osu1991]

Why don't US TV networks like CBS, ABC, Fox, NBC, PBS and The CW have their own digital free to air channels like in the UK/Australia etc. In Australia in the last few years networks like Channel 9 have launched free digital channels like 9go, 9gem and only last year 9Life. All other networks have recently launched several new 'subchannels'. And the UK main channels like ITV have had free digital channels like ITV2/3/4/Be for the past 10/15 years.

Because the US tv system is run differently than the U.K. and Australian systems. The Networks are distributed nationwide via affiliate agreements with hundreds of local stations across the nation. Those locals also carry other networks on their digital sub channels. Those big Networks do own and operate some of their own stations but for the most part they rent or trade airtime on the local stations. ABC CBS NBC Fox etc sell most of their other Networks as subscription pay channels.