diff --git a/apps/channels/api_views.py b/apps/channels/api_views.py
index 23632704..b612fa2c 100644
--- a/apps/channels/api_views.py
+++ b/apps/channels/api_views.py
@@ -266,7 +266,7 @@ class ChannelViewSet(viewsets.ModelViewSet):
                     type=openapi.TYPE_INTEGER, description="ID of the stream to link"
                 ),
                 "channel_number": openapi.Schema(
-                    type=openapi.TYPE_INTEGER,
+                    type=openapi.TYPE_NUMBER,
                     description="(Optional) Desired channel number. Must not be in use."
                 ),
                 "name": openapi.Schema(
@@ -293,9 +293,9 @@ class ChannelViewSet(viewsets.ModelViewSet):
 
         channel_number = None
         if 'tvg-chno' in stream_custom_props:
-            channel_number = int(stream_custom_props['tvg-chno'])
+            channel_number = float(stream_custom_props['tvg-chno'])
         elif 'channel-number' in stream_custom_props:
-            channel_number = int(stream_custom_props['channel-number'])
+            channel_number = float(stream_custom_props['channel-number'])
 
         if channel_number is None:
             provided_number = request.data.get('channel_number')
@@ -303,7 +303,7 @@ class ChannelViewSet(viewsets.ModelViewSet):
                 channel_number = Channel.get_next_available_channel_number()
             else:
                 try:
-                    channel_number = int(provided_number)
+                    channel_number = float(provided_number)
                 except ValueError:
                     return Response({"error": "channel_number must be an integer."}, status=status.HTTP_400_BAD_REQUEST)
                 # If the provided number is already used, return an error.
@@ -362,7 +362,7 @@ class ChannelViewSet(viewsets.ModelViewSet):
                         type=openapi.TYPE_INTEGER, description="ID of the stream to link"
                     ),
                     "channel_number": openapi.Schema(
-                        type=openapi.TYPE_INTEGER,
+                        type=openapi.TYPE_NUMBER,
                         description="(Optional) Desired channel number. Must not be in use."
                     ),
                     "name": openapi.Schema(
@@ -419,9 +419,9 @@ class ChannelViewSet(viewsets.ModelViewSet):
 
             channel_number = None
             if 'tvg-chno' in stream_custom_props:
-                channel_number = int(stream_custom_props['tvg-chno'])
+                channel_number = float(stream_custom_props['tvg-chno'])
             elif 'channel-number' in stream_custom_props:
-                channel_number = int(stream_custom_props['channel-number'])
+                channel_number = float(stream_custom_props['channel-number'])
 
             # Determine channel number: if provided, use it (if free); else auto assign.
             if channel_number is None:
@@ -430,7 +430,7 @@ class ChannelViewSet(viewsets.ModelViewSet):
                     channel_number = get_auto_number()
                 else:
                     try:
-                        channel_number = int(provided_number)
+                        channel_number = float(provided_number)
                     except ValueError:
                         errors.append({"item": item, "error": "channel_number must be an integer."})
                         continue
diff --git a/apps/channels/migrations/0018_alter_channel_channel_number.py b/apps/channels/migrations/0018_alter_channel_channel_number.py
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..7e5163d4
--- /dev/null
+++ b/apps/channels/migrations/0018_alter_channel_channel_number.py
@@ -0,0 +1,18 @@
+# Generated by Django 5.1.6 on 2025-05-08 14:05
+
+from django.db import migrations, models
+
+
+class Migration(migrations.Migration):
+
+    dependencies = [
+        ('dispatcharr_channels', '0017_alter_channelgroup_name'),
+    ]
+
+    operations = [
+        migrations.AlterField(
+            model_name='channel',
+            name='channel_number',
+            field=models.FloatField(db_index=True),
+        ),
+    ]
diff --git a/apps/channels/models.py b/apps/channels/models.py
index dc5c50fb..191eb45e 100644
--- a/apps/channels/models.py
+++ b/apps/channels/models.py
@@ -209,7 +209,7 @@ class ChannelManager(models.Manager):
 
 
 class Channel(models.Model):
-    channel_number = models.IntegerField()
+    channel_number = models.FloatField(db_index=True)
     name = models.CharField(max_length=255)
     logo = models.ForeignKey(
         'Logo',
diff --git a/apps/channels/serializers.py b/apps/channels/serializers.py
index ce3910a4..712d8569 100644
--- a/apps/channels/serializers.py
+++ b/apps/channels/serializers.py
@@ -115,7 +115,7 @@ class BulkChannelProfileMembershipSerializer(serializers.Serializer):
 #
 class ChannelSerializer(serializers.ModelSerializer):
     # Show nested group data, or ID
-    channel_number = serializers.IntegerField(allow_null=True, required=False)
+    channel_number = serializers.FloatField(allow_null=True, required=False)
     channel_group_id = serializers.PrimaryKeyRelatedField(
         queryset=ChannelGroup.objects.all(),
         source="channel_group",