What’s Simulcast?

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Short for simultaneous broadcast, a simulcast refers to a program or event broadcast simultaneously on one or more mediums. The concept of simulcast dates back to the early days of television, when a number of news programs were broadcast simultaneously by radio networks and television stations. There were also instances where simultaneous broadcasts of some entertainment programs took place on radio and television, especially during the late 1940s and early 1950s.

Today it is not uncommon for a simultaneous broadcast to occur, especially in the case of an announcement or conference convened by a nation’s leader. In this example, the simulcast will typically involve multiple television networks, radio networks, and Internet data streams. The combination of different forms of broadcast media helps ensure that nearly every citizen in the nation will have the ability to hear the broadcast.

A simulcast can also take place within a given electronic medium. A common application is broadcasting a television program on networks in different countries. This has been the case in the past with special episodes of a television series, sporting event or major political event that includes the participation of a diverse range of world leaders. At times, multiple broadcasts on multiple television networks are augmented by broadcasting the audio portion on national and independent radio affiliates.

One enduring use of the simulcast has to do with college and professional sporting events. The games are broadcast on television or cable stations, while select radio stations also broadcast the audio feed for the game. While not a true simulcast unless the audio portion of the TV feed is broadcast over the radio, the fact is that many local radio stations choose to broadcast that audio portion rather than build their own sports team to monitor ongoing activity.

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