Just over three foot channels, note, are direct (9)
I believe the answer is:
immediate
'are direct' is the definition.
(similar in meaning)
'just over three foot channels note' is the wordplay.
'just over three foot' becomes 'im' (resembles 1m, one metre).
'channels' becomes 'media' (I have seen 'Channels of communication ' mean 'media' so perhaps 'channels' could also mean 'media').
'note' becomes 'te' (musical note).
'im'+'media'+'te'='IMMEDIATE'
(Other definitions for immediate that I've seen before include "Present" , "Nearest" , "Prompt,straightaway" , "Involving no delay" , "Instantaneous" .)