Category 1 channels are Canadian television channels defined by the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission that must be carried by all digital cable television and direct broadcast satellite providers that have the capability to do so.

Like older specialty television services services licensed prior to digital channel capacity expansion, Category 1 channels are protected as to format. They have been licensed to broadcast within defined formats which are not provided by or overly close to existing protected channels, and Category 1 formats are protected themselves from close direct competition from Category 2 channels, the junior category of digital channels which was introduced at the same time.

It is expected that most or all Canadian cable and satellite specialty channels will henceforth be licensed as Category 2 channels.