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Prepositions after verbs

Broadcast on vs broadcast in

Broadcast on is commonly used for channels, networks, and platforms. Broadcast in is used for languages, formats, or regions.

Quick answer

Which is correct: broadcast on or broadcast in?

Both are correct in different contexts. Use broadcast on for a channel, station, or platform. Use broadcast in for a language, format, or area.

The interview was broadcast on national television.
The programme is broadcast in three languages.
The match was broadcast on a streaming service.

Choose the pattern by meaning

These forms are not interchangeable. Choose the construction by meaning, not by which preposition appears most often.

1
broadcast on + channel/platform

Showing something through a medium

Use broadcast on with television channels, radio stations, and online platforms.

The documentary was broadcast on BBC One.
2
broadcast in + language

Stating the language used

Use broadcast in to talk about the language of a programme.

The news is broadcast in English and Arabic.
3
broadcast in + region/country

Showing where something is available

Broadcast in can describe the country or area where a programme is transmitted.

The series was first broadcast in Canada.
4
broadcast live

Describing live transmission

Broadcast is often used without a preposition before adverbs such as live.

The ceremony was broadcast live worldwide.

See the difference in context

The same subject can take different constructions because each sentence answers a different question.

Construction
Example
Meaning
broadcast on
The debate was broadcast on local radio.
transmitted through a specific channel or platform
broadcast in
The film was broadcast in French.
using a particular language
broadcast in
The programme was broadcast in Australia.
shown within a region or country
broadcast on
The concert was broadcast on the internet.
made available through a medium

Common mistakes

Some combinations appear in real text but do not mean what learners often assume.

Using broadcast on for language

Use in, not on, when talking about language.

✕ The speech was broadcast on Spanish. ✓ The speech was broadcast in Spanish.

Using broadcast in for channels

Use on with TV channels, stations, and platforms.

✕ The show was broadcast in Channel 5. ✓ The show was broadcast on Channel 5.

Adding an unnecessary preposition

Broadcast can directly take an object.

✕ They broadcasted on the announcement at noon. ✓ They broadcast the announcement at noon.

Quick practice

Choose the expression that matches the intended meaning.

1. The final was broadcast ___ national TV.
2. The programme is broadcast ___ Japanese.
3. The documentary was first broadcast ___ Brazil.

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Frequently asked questions

Can broadcast be used without a preposition?

Yes. You can say They broadcast the interview yesterday.

Do people still say broadcasted?

Broadcast is the more common past tense and past participle in standard English.

Is stream on the same as broadcast on?

They overlap in meaning, but stream usually refers to internet delivery specifically.

back-by-away-out-in, up backfire on, in, as, at or with? backtrack on, to, in, after or by? "baffle by" or "baffle as"? "bake in" or "bake for"? balance by, in, on, with or between? ban from, in, for, by or on? "bang on" or "bang for"? "banish from" or "banish to"? baptize in, by, into, with or on? "bargain for" or "bargain with"? "bark at" or "bark in"?

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