simulcast
SY-mul-kast
/ˈsɪmlkɑːst/
To broadcast a program simultaneously over two or more different media, such as radio and television, or on multiple digital platforms; or the broadcast itself.
Requires the identical media content to air concurrently across multiple channels or mediums.
The story behind the word. Coined in the late 1940s as a portmanteau of 'simultaneous' (Latin simul, together) and 'broadcast'. It emerged during television's early days when stations aired musical events on FM radio at the same time to give viewers stereo sound.
Word relationships
- simultaneous broadcast: Simultaneous broadcast is the full descriptive phrase, while simulcast is the concise technical industry term.
- time-shifted broadcast: Time-shifted broadcast deliberately delays airing content for different schedules or time zones.
Commonly confused with
- broadcast: Broadcast is general signal transmission; simulcast means sending the exact same program on two or more outlets at once.
Word family
- simulcasting (noun): The process of broadcasting concurrently across multiple platforms.
Collocations
- live simulcast
- simulcast event
- simulcast network
Example sentences
- "The playoff final was a national simulcast broadcast on network television and local radio stations." Sports broadcasting
- "The news outlet chose to simulcast the presidential debate across cable television and streaming platforms." Digital media
Memory hook
SIMULtaneous + broadCAST = SIMULCAST. One event, multiple media channels at the exact same time. Simultaneous multi-channel broadcast.
When not to use
Do not use if content is delayed or broadcast at different times on different stations.
Fun facts
- The first TV-and-radio simulcast in history took place in 1948 with a performance by the NBC Symphony Orchestra conducted by Arturo Toscanini.
Explore more words
syndicated, simultaneous, concurrent, Synchronous, syndicate, concurrence
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