Linear TV – (Time-and-channel-based TV, Linear Video, Linear Schedule, Linear Programming, Appointment-based TV, Traditional Television):

(1) Television service where the viewer has to watch a scheduled TV program at the particular time it’s offered, and on the particular channel it's presented on. Opposite of this would be incorporating the use of DVRs, VCRs or Video on Demand.

(2) When the broadcaster wants your attention only to be focused on the TV program. Typically this leaves little call for interactivity. They certainly don't want you to leave the show by going to your computer. They only want your attention to be on that show and it's advertisers.

(3) (Linear TV) - Non-interactive television.

Always-on - (Switched-on TV, Always-switched-on-TV)

Anytime TV

TV-Anytime Forum

Appointment TV - Appointment TV assumes that people will tune in at the same time every day or week to personally watch their favorite shows. But the DVR and video on demand generation demands "anytime" TV, whereas you can watch the program when you want to. Video on Demand and Digital Video Recorders and VCRs have made that a reality. Appointment TV is the opposite of non-linear TV.

Linear to On-demand - (Linear-to-on-demand) - TV links are made available for the viewer to activate with their remote control device. Via these, viewers are able to access on-demand content, often in the form of advertisements, or merchandise for sale.

Interactive TV Links

On-demand TV



See the Interactive Television Institute.