Broadcasting

Broadcasting is the distribution of audio and audiovisual content to dispersed audiences via an electronic mass communications medium. This process typically utilizes the electromagnetic spectrum (radio waves) in a one-to-many communication model. Broadcasting encompasses both radio and television transmissions, which can be received by anyone with the appropriate receiving technology, such as a radio or television set.

History and Development

The concept of broadcasting originated from agricultural methods, specifically the act of sowing seeds by casting them broadly. The evolution of broadcasting technologies, however, began in earnest with AM radio, which became popular around 1920 following the spread of vacuum tube radio transmitters and receivers. This marked a departure from earlier electronic communication methods, such as the telegraph and telephone, which were primarily one-to-one.

Types of Broadcasting

Radio Broadcasting

AM Broadcasting: Utilizes amplitude modulation for audio transmissions. It was the first method developed for making audio radio transmissions.
FM Broadcasting: Involves frequency modulation to provide improved audio quality over AM broadcasting and was invented in 1933 by American engineer Edwin Armstrong.

Television Broadcasting

Television broadcasting involves the transmission of moving images and sound. Major developments in television broadcasting have been driven by both public and commercial broadcasters.

Public vs. Commercial Broadcasting

Public Broadcasting: Operates with a primary mission of public service. Public broadcasters such as the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) and the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) are often funded by government grants.
Commercial Broadcasting: Involves the broadcasting of programs by privately owned corporations, often funded through advertising revenue. An example is the American Broadcasting Company (ABC), part of the Disney corporation.

Broadcasting Networks

Broadcasting networks are organizations that produce content and distribute it to a broad audience. They have evolved over the decades, with major networks like the National Broadcasting Company (NBC), CBS, and others playing prominent roles in shaping the broadcasting landscape.

Broadcasting and Networking

In the field of telecommunications and information theory, broadcasting refers to the method of transferring a message to all recipients simultaneously. This high-level communication can occur within computer networks and the internet, expanding the traditional definition of broadcasting beyond radio and television.