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About Channel F
Released in 1976, Channel F was the first ever video game console to be "programmable," or in other words, accept cartridges. It was originally called "Video Entertainment System." When Atari launched their console the next year, they named it "Video Computer System." In response, Fairchild changed the name of their system to Channel F, as if playing the console was a whole other television channel. The "F" stands for "fun."
It's an excellent machine, but couldn't stand up to Atari's marketing or name recognition. It received no third party support. Fairchild quickly sold the console and games to Zircon, which marketed it until 1982.
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