What is the Difference Between Webcast and Webinar

The main difference between webcast and webinar is that webcast have a larger audience, whereas webinars have a more interactive audience.

We can simply describe webcasts and webinars as virtual meetings, events, or lecturers since they take place via the internet. Using both methods, it’s possible to reach a wide audience from a single location. Therefore, there is quite an overlap between these two concepts.

Key Areas Covered

1. What is a Webcast 
   – Definition, Features, Uses
2. What is a Webinar
     – Definition, Features, Uses
3. Similarities Between Webcast and Webinar
     – Outline of Common Characteristics
4. Differences Between Webcast and Webinar
    – Comparison of Key Differences

Key Terms

Webcast, Webinar

What is a Webcast

A webcast is basically a video broadcast of an event transmitted over the internet. A webcast allows the webcaster and viewers to communicate with each other in real-time. You can access a webcast through any device. The participants in a webcast can join from anywhere in the world.

Moreover, there are various webcasting services available online. When choosing a webcasting platform, it’s important to consider several factors like the ability to handle a large number of viewers, connection support, etc. We can also categorize webcasts according to their purpose; for example, educational webcasts, webcasts for promoting product and services webcasts, etc. When we compare webcasts with webinars, webcasts may feel a bit less interactive. Sometimes, the information flow may be one-way since the content of the webcast may only include presentation slides, video clips, or an audio stream. The audience may not contribute much to the content. But in most webcasts, participants can ask questions and get answers in real-time.

What is a Webinar

A webinar is an online interactive meeting. The word webinar is a blend of the two words: web and seminar. Therefore, it’s an online seminar, and the content of a webinar tends to be based on education, training, or business. Here, a presenter can reach a wide audience from a single location. This is because they are not limited by physical space. Moreover, webinars can be live-streamed or recorded and used later as training shops or seminars.

The audience of webinars is also smaller than that of a webcast. More importantly, the audience usually engages in the discussion via various interactive activities like polls, Q & A, surveys, tests, games, and chat. Therefore, it’s important to consider audience engagement tools when selecting a platform to conduct webinars. Most webinar platforms offer live stream options.

Similarities Between Webcast and Webinar

1. Both offer live-streaming options.
2. Both webcast and webinar involve video streaming.
3. They mainly involve one-to-many communication.
4. They are virtual meetings, events, or lecturers, i.e., they take place via the internet.
5. Using both methods, it’s possible to reach a wide audience from a single location.
6. Both require a strong internet connection.
7. Overall, there is a lot of overlap between webcast and webinar. Sometimes, people use these two terms interchangeably.

Difference Between Webcast and Webinar

Definition

A webinar is an online seminar, while a webcast is a video broadcast of an event transmitted over the internet.

Audience Size

Webcasts tend to have a larger audience than webinars.

Interaction

The audience of a webinar is more interactive and engage in various activities like polls, surveys, Q & A, games, and chat.

Conclusion

A webinar is an online seminar, while a webcast is a video broadcast of an event transmitted over the internet. The main difference between webcast and webinar is that webcasts have a larger audience, whereas webinars have a more interactive audience.

Reference:

1. “What Is a Webcast and How Does It Work?” EzTalks.
2. “What Is a Webinar?: Webinar & Online Seminar.” Webinar.nl.

Image Courtesy:

1. “Webinar-video-conference-skype” (CC0) via Pixabay
2. “1585323” (CC0) via Pxhere