Broadcast vs Television

When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.

Broadcast

Top 2,000 (common) B2 verb

Television

Top 1,000 (very common) A1 noun

Most common: Television

	Broadcast	Television
Pronunciation	🇬🇧 /["/ˈbrɔːdkɑːst/","/ˈbrɔːdkɑːsts/","/ˈbrɔːdkɑːstɪŋ/"]/ 🇺🇸 /["/ˈbrɔːdkæst/","/ˈbrɔːdkæsts/","/ˈbrɔːdkæstɪŋ/"]/	🇬🇧 /["/ˈtelɪvɪʒn/"]/ 🇺🇸 /["/ˈtelɪvɪʒn/"]/
Meaning	To send out information or programs to a lot of people.	A screen that shows moving pictures and sounds for entertainment or information.
Example	The concert will be **broadcast live** *(= at the same time as it takes place)* tomorrow evening.	I watch my favorite show on television every Friday.
Register	Neutral	Neutral
How common	Top 2,000 (common)	Top 1,000 (very common)
CEFR level	B2	A1
Part of speech	verb	noun
Collocations	live, nationally, originally, from, to	broadcast, cable, closed-circuit, watch, switch on, turn on, broadcast something, screen something, broadcast, production, programme/​program, in television, in front of the television, on television, broadcast, cable, closed-circuit, watch, switch on, turn on, broadcast something, screen something, broadcast, production, programme/​program, in television, in front of the television, on television, broadcast, cable, closed-circuit, watch, switch on, turn on, broadcast something, screen something, broadcast, production, programme/​program, in television, in front of the television, on television
Antonyms	suppress, withhold	radio, newspaper, book
Common mistakes	Confused with 'cast' as a noun., Using 'broadcasted' instead of 'broadcast' for past forms., Confusing with 'stream' in the context of online content.	Confused with 'TV' as an abbreviation - TV is informal., Using it as a verb, e.g., 'I will television tonight' instead of 'I will watch television.', Saying 'the tele' instead of 'the television' in formal contexts.
Usage notes	Use 'broadcast' when referring to media like TV or radio. It's suitable for formal and neutral contexts but can feel out of place in very casual conversations.	Use 'television' in both casual and formal conversations about shows, news, or movies. Avoid slang terms in formal writing.

See it in real clips

... where we broadcast our pirate signal and hack into the Matrix.

Broadcast

And as for the television's so-called plan...

an imbecile, a moron who goes on television

Some get chosen and become television programs. Some don't, become nothin'.

And as for the television's so-called plan...

an imbecile, a moron who goes on television

Television

Frequently asked questions: Broadcast vs Television

What's the difference between Broadcast and Television?

Broadcast: To send out information or programs to a lot of people. Television: A screen that shows moving pictures and sounds for entertainment or information.

Which is more common: Broadcast and Television?

Television is the most common in everyday English.

Which is more advanced: Broadcast and Television?

Broadcast is the highest level, at B2, on the CEFR scale.

Are Broadcast and Television the same CEFR level?

Broadcast: B2, Television: A1 on the CEFR scale.

What part of speech are Broadcast and Television?

Broadcast: verb, Television: noun.

Can you show an example of each?

Broadcast: The concert will be **broadcast live** *(= at the same time as it takes place)* tomorrow evening. Television: I watch my favorite show on television every Friday.

Can I use Broadcast and Television interchangeably?

Not always. Broadcast and Television are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.