broadcaster
C1Formal and technical (media contexts); can be neutral in general use.
Definition
Meaning
A person or organization that transmits audio or video programmes to the public via radio, television, or digital platforms.
Any person who communicates or spreads information, ideas, or news to a wide audience. In biology: a plant that disperses seeds widely.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Primarily refers to the institution (e.g., BBC, NBC) or the professional role (e.g., news presenter). The biological sense is rare and specialized.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning. British English more commonly uses 'broadcaster' to refer to the organization (e.g., 'a public service broadcaster'). American English may slightly prefer 'network' for TV, but 'broadcaster' is standard.
Connotations
In the UK, strongly associated with public service broadcasting ethos. In the US, connotations are more commercial, though PBS (Public Broadcasting Service) is an exception.
Frequency
Equally frequent in both varieties within media/journalism contexts.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
broadcaster of [content]broadcaster for [network/channel]broadcaster on [topic/station]Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Voice of the nation (for a major public broadcaster)”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Refers to a company in the media sector, e.g., 'The broadcaster's ad revenue declined.'
Academic
Used in media studies, communications, and sociology to discuss institutions, regulation, and content.
Everyday
Common when discussing TV/radio channels or famous presenters, e.g., 'He's a broadcaster for the BBC.'
Technical
In engineering/telecoms, can refer to the physical transmission equipment or entity.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The match will be broadcastered live on ITV.
- She has broadcastered for years.
American English
- The game will be broadcasted live on CBS.
- He has broadcasted the news for decades.
adverb
British English
- They reported broadcasterly on the event.
- The signal was sent broadcasterly.
American English
- The message was delivered broadcasterly.
- He spoke broadcasterly to the crowd.
adjective
British English
- The broadcaster policy is under review.
- They have broadcaster responsibilities.
American English
- The broadcaster regulations are changing.
- It's a broadcaster decision.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- She is a broadcaster on the radio.
- The TV broadcaster shows cartoons.
- The local broadcaster reported the news about the festival.
- He works as a sports broadcaster.
- The public broadcaster is funded by a licence fee, unlike commercial stations.
- The broadcaster was criticised for its biased coverage of the election.
- The incumbent broadcaster secured the exclusive rights to broadcast the Olympics for the next decade.
- Regulators are scrutinising the proposed merger between the two major digital broadcasters.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: BROAD + CASTER. Someone who CASTS (sends out) their voice or images to a BROAD (wide) audience.
Conceptual Metaphor
INFORMATION IS A FLUID (broadcasters 'transmit', 'air', 'beam' content). A BROADCASTER IS A CONDUIT/PIPE.
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid direct calque 'широковещатель'. Use 'вещательная компания' for the organization or 'ведущий/диктор' for the person.
- Don't confuse with 'spreader' (распространитель) in non-media contexts.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'broadcaster' for a person who is merely speaking loudly in public (use 'loudspeaker' or 'orator').
- Misspelling as 'broadcastor'.
- Confusing with 'podcaster' (digital, on-demand).
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following is the LEAST likely meaning of 'broadcaster'?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Technically yes, as they transmit content to an audience. However, in traditional media law and discourse, 'broadcaster' often implies licensed, regulated, linear (scheduled) transmission. YouTubers are more commonly called 'content creators' or 'streamers'.
A journalist researches and creates news stories. A broadcaster is the entity that transmits those stories (the company) or the person who presents them on air. Many broadcasters are also journalists.
Yes. A broadcaster is someone or something that broadcasts. The noun 'broadcast' (e.g., 'a live broadcast') is the event/content itself.
Rarely in everyday language. In technical contexts, a 'broadcaster' can be a transmitter or a device that sends data packets to many recipients simultaneously (e.g., in computer networking).
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