Opening CHL Files

The CHL file type is primarily associated with Media software.

CHL	File extension: CHL
	File type:	data file

What is a CHL file?

CHL files mostly belong to Media software. CHL files are used primarily as channel list files that store digital broadcast information. They often use an internal JSON format to arrange data, making it easier for compatible software to parse and display the channel information.
This file type is mainly associated with storing lists of satellite and TV channels, but there is an alternative use where it functions as a saved game file for Black & White 2. Key details provided by FilExt.com include:

They hold data like channel identifiers, frequencies, and names.

Major implementations include satellite channel lists from GTMedia V8X-X8-9 Prime Mars and CHMax.

Total Media 3500 uses them as TV channel lists, with DVBDream also linked to this approach. For more details on this use case, check out Total Media.

Their JSON structure means you can often open them with a text editor or a JSON viewer.

How to open CHL files

You need a suitable software like Media software to open a CHL file. Without proper software you will receive a Windows message "How do you want to open this file?" or "Windows cannot open this file" or a similar Mac/iPhone/Android alert. If you cannot open your CHL file correctly, try to right-click or long-press the file. Then click "Open with" and choose an application. You can also display a CHL file directly in the browser:. Just drag the file onto this browser window and drop it.

Online CHL Text Viewer

Choose your .chl file to analyze

or drag and drop it here

Online File Viewer

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CHL file format:

The file format determines how the data is stored in the file. The initial characters of a file are called signature, sometimes also referred to as "magic bytes". The signature can be used to infer the file format. However, different programs can use the same file extension. Furthermore, a file extension can be renamed incorrectly and double-clicking on it will then display an error when it is opened. So you need a detailed analysis of a file to find out the format and the associated program. Our examination of the CHL files comes to the following conclusion:

The CHL file type is a very commonly used file extension and includes different formats for the applicable programs. The two most common formats are as follows:

• 55% of all CHL files use the popular JSON file format. JSON (JavaScript Object Notation) is a lightweight data−interchange format. It is easy for humans to read and write. It is easy for machines to parse and generate. If you open these files in a text editor, you can view and read the content yourself. CHL files are between 94 KB and 2 MB in size. The file type is a fairly new file format. The files contain the following words: CHRadio, ChTV, Name, "Index" : 0, "Type" : "fav", "Type" : "index", "Ver" : 1, RadioChs, "TVChs" : [ ] and News. CHMax.chl or Katano_CHMax_2020-06-01.chl is a typical file name. Such files are related to lista, astra, viark, combo, katano, gtmedia, multilista and mars.
• 10% of all CHL files belong to Black and White 2 game data script. The content consists of illegible binary data, which can only be read and interpreted by the associated programs. Most of these files are 640 KB to 1 MB in size. The following keywords are characteristic: LHVM, LHVMA, ATIEndFlag, BellyPos, DancePositions, Land11VolcanoCasting and WhiChEpicSpellIsBe. Land1.chl or ChallengeBatch.chl is a typical file name. Files like these are about challenge and batch.

The remaining 35% of all CHL files are files with no common format, often e.g. Indian. Often described as channel, challenge, list, batch, multi, canali, data or user. You can get all the details of your CHL file by dragging it onto this page or by clicking the button "Choose your .chl file to analyze" above.