There are many ways for a television program to be broadcast. Some are live, others are pre-recorded and edited, and some bill themselves as live but come with fine print that reveals they are previously recorded. How can a show be both live and previously recorded? If you're looking for an answer to this question, this article will explore how some programs, from exposes on Toronto gyms to visits from the Queen, can be both live and recorded and why some live programs are recorded to be played back on air later.
First of all, despite the dictionary definition, in the world of television a live program doesn't always mean that it's happening right now. Most programs are broadcast live to the nation the moment they're happening, but the more accurate definition is any program which is recorded as it happens and not edited for time or content. So a news story about a doctor who protests the closing of his clinic by the highway department can be recorded live but not played back live on the network that has filmed it.
There are many reasons that not all live recorded programs are played back live. For instance, what if the event is happening in Australia? Broadcasting it live would mean airing it at 3am when all of their viewers are asleep and dreaming about vacation. Consequently they might record the event live and broadcast it a few hours later once everyone is awake and able to tune in to watch the program. This often happens with international sporting events such as Formula 1 races and Olympic events.
Another reason you might see a live broadcast played back later is that this is not the first time the program has been aired. A popular concert by a band called subway signs art might be played live as it happens and then broadcast again and again for the next week so that anyone who missed it the first time has a chance to tune in. Award shows, parades, political debates, special visits, and speeches are often played this way. Most networks will also load them to their websites as well.
Sometimes programs will also be recorded and broadcast mere moments later at a slight delay because of some issues regarding the content or language. For instance, if a debate about historic art was expected to get heated, the live feed might be broadcast with a slight delay to allow the censors to bleep out inappropriate words. Delays are also useful to closed captioners, who need a brief delay to type the words as they are spoken so that the hearing impaired may also enjoy the live program.