Embodiments disclose a channel decoding method and apparatus, and a distributed decoder. A channel decoding apparatus includes: a decoding information acquiring unit, configured to acquire demodulation information of a channel; a channel decoding algorithm unit, configured to decode the demodulation information to obtain current decoding information, and perform a cyclic redundancy check CRC check on the current decoding information to obtain a current decoding CRC check result; and a lower level decoding determining unit, configured to: if the current decoding CRC check result is incorrect and a lower level channel decoding apparatus exists, determine that the lower level channel decoding apparatus continues to decode the demodulation information, where decoding performance of a channel decoding algorithm unit in the lower level channel decoding apparatus is superior to decoding performance of the channel decoding algorithm unit in the channel decoding apparatus.