outside broadcast
Low (technical term)Technical, Media, Journalism, Formal
Definition
Meaning
A radio or television programme produced and transmitted live from a location away from the studio, often at an event.
The technical process, team, and equipment used to produce a live programme from an external venue for broadcast.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Commonly abbreviated to 'OB'. Almost exclusively used in the context of broadcasting organisations (BBC, Sky, etc.). Refers to both the event/programme and the logistical operation.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The term is standard in British broadcasting terminology. In American English, the more common equivalent is 'remote broadcast' or 'remote'.
Connotations
In British English, it carries connotations of professional broadcasting heritage (e.g., BBC outside broadcasts of royal events). The American equivalent is more generic.
Frequency
Common in UK media/industry discourse. Rare in general US English, where 'remote (broadcast)' predominates.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
to do an outside broadcast (from [location])to cover [event] as an outside broadcastthe outside broadcast of [event]Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[Not a typical idiom source; none directly associated]”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Used in media company budgets and planning ('The OB costs for the festival are substantial').
Academic
Used in media studies discussing the history and technology of live broadcasting.
Everyday
Rare in casual conversation; might be heard in news reports about major events.
Technical
Core term in broadcast engineering and production, referring to the use of OB trucks, satellite links, and mobile control rooms.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The BBC will be outside broadcasting the coronation from Westminster Abbey.
- They are outside broadcasting the match for ITV.
American English
- NBC is remoting the championship game from the stadium.
- We'll be remoting the concert for national radio.
adverb
British English
- The programme was produced outside-broadcast, adding to the atmosphere.
- [Rarely used as an adverb in practice]
American English
- The show was aired remote, live from Broadway.
- [Rarely used as an adverb in practice]
adjective
British English
- The outside-broadcast team arrived at dawn.
- We have booked an outside-broadcast van for the rally.
American English
- The remote-broadcast crew set up their equipment.
- They use a remote-production truck for these events.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- We watched the football match on an outside broadcast.
- The news channel did an outside broadcast from the scene of the accident.
- Coordinating a major outside broadcast requires extensive planning and a large technical team.
- The outside broadcast of the state funeral was a logistical masterpiece, involving multiple satellite feeds and backup power systems.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of the broadcast signal travelling OUTSIDE the studio walls to reach an event, and then being sent back FROM the SIDElines.
Conceptual Metaphor
BROADCASTING IS TRANSPORTING (the studio's capability is transported to a remote location).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid direct calque of 'внешняя трансляция', which is unnatural. The established Russian equivalent is 'внестудийный репортаж' or 'прямой эфир с места событий'.
- Do not confuse with 'outside' meaning 'outdoors'; an 'outside broadcast' can technically occur inside a remote building.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'outdoor broadcast' (implies only open-air events).
- Using 'broadcast outside' (which describes where someone is listening/watching).
- Omitting the article: 'We watched outside broadcast' (should be 'an outside broadcast').
Practice
Quiz
What is the most common American English equivalent for 'outside broadcast'?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, by definition, an outside broadcast is transmitted live as the event happens, though clips may be recorded for later use.
Yes, 'OB' is a standard abbreviation within the broadcasting industry in the UK and many Commonwealth countries.
The Outside Broadcast vehicle or 'OB truck', which is a mobile television studio and control room.
Yes, it originated in radio and is still used for both radio and television broadcasts produced away from the main studio.