Simulcast
What is a simulcast?
A simulcast (short for "simultaneous broadcast") is the transmission of the same program on more than one channel, network or platform at the same time. The term comes from radio and TV, where one show could be aired by several stations, or on radio and television at once. In live streaming, simulcasting means broadcasting one live stream to several platforms at the same time, such as YouTube, Twitch, Facebook and LinkedIn. This is also called multistreaming.
Types of simulcast
Simulcast is a portmanteau of "simultaneous" and "broadcast." Depending on the context, it can mean:
- Broadcast simulcast: the same TV or radio program aired on several stations or networks, or in several formats, at the same time.
- Transmitter simulcast: one signal sent from several towers at the same time to cover a wider area, while the number of channels stays the same.
- Audio simulcast: a regular program broadcast with an additional audio channel, for example via secondary audio programming (SAP).
- Live streaming simulcast: one live video streamed to more than one online platform at the same time.
In video-conferencing technology (WebRTC), "simulcast" means something different: the sender encodes the same video at several quality levels so a server can deliver the most suitable version to each participant. This page is about simulcasting live streams to several platforms.
Simulcast vs. multistream vs. restream
| Term | What it means | Where you hear it |
|---|---|---|
| Simulcast | Broadcasting the same content on several channels or platforms at the same time | TV and radio, sports, and increasingly live streaming |
| Multistream | Streaming one live video to several online platforms at the same time, usually through a cloud service | Creators, brands and businesses streaming online |
| Restream | Re-sending a live stream you produce or receive to other destinations; often used as a synonym for multistreaming | Live streaming tools and communities |
Swipe sideways to see the whole table.
In live streaming, the three terms describe the same goal: reaching viewers on several platforms with one broadcast. "Simulcast" is the traditional broadcasting word, while "multistream" is the term most streaming platforms and tools use today.
How simulcasting works in live streaming
- Produce one stream. Go live from a browser studio or an encoder such as OBS Studio.
- Send one feed to the cloud. Your software uploads a single stream to a multistreaming service.
- The service delivers it to every platform. It sends a copy of your stream to each connected destination, using each platform's connection or stream key.
- Viewers watch where they prefer. Your audience watches on YouTube, Twitch, LinkedIn or any other connected platform, while you see their chat and stats in one place.
Because the copying happens in the cloud, your computer uploads only one stream, no matter how many platforms you add.
Why should you care about simulcasting?
If you live stream video content on websites like Twitch, YouTube, Facebook or LinkedIn, you might be familiar with multistreaming. It means streaming to more than one of these platforms, websites or networks at the same time. It’s the simulcasting of the live streaming world.
The benefits of simulcasting
Simulcasting can take your live streaming to the next level. Here’s how:
- Expand your audience: By streaming on more than one platform at a time, you increase your potential viewership. You can engage with your audience on each platform, and viewers can choose to watch your live video on the platform they prefer.
- Stream to multiple channels on a single platform: If you have more than one YouTube channel or Facebook page and Facebook group you’d like to broadcast to, simulcasting lets you stream to all of those channels without any extra hassle.
- Reduce costs and save time: You save time and money on producing content for each platform by streaming your videos to each one at the same time.
- Broadcast to niche and major platforms: You can stream content for your core community on niche platforms like Behance or Mixcloud and reach a general audience on platforms like YouTube and Facebook — all at the same time.
- Take advantage of each platform: Each streaming platform has different features you can use to optimize viewership for your stream. Reap the benefits of Facebook’s analytics suite while also using YouTube’s chat feature.
How to simulcast with Restream
To be able to stream to multiple platforms at the same time, you’ll need a multistreaming service. Restream supports more than 30 live streaming platforms and allows you to create custom RTMP sources to stream to platforms that aren’t supported.
When you multistream with Restream, you get access to tons of benefits that make live streaming easier, including:
- Going live on multiple platforms at once directly from your web browser
- Broadcasting pre-recorded videos live
- Seeing all your messages from each platform’s live chats in one central hub
- Getting all the audience, stream performance and chat insights you need to improve your live streaming
- Customizing your streams with graphics, backgrounds, logos and overlays
With Restream, you can either go live with our cloud-based live streaming studio, Restream Studio, or you can integrate Restream with your favorite encoding software, like OBS Studio.
Want to see how creators and businesses use simulcasting? Read our State of simulcasting report.
Simulcast FAQ
What does simulcast mean?
Simulcast means broadcasting the same content on more than one channel or platform at the same time. The word combines "simultaneous" and "broadcast."
Is simulcasting the same as multistreaming?
In live streaming, yes. Simulcasting a live stream to several platforms and multistreaming describe the same thing. "Simulcast" is also used for TV and radio, while "multistream" refers to online platforms.
Can I simulcast to Twitch?
Yes. Twitch allows simulcasting to other platforms under its rules. Read Twitch's multistreaming rules explained before you go live.
Do I need special software to simulcast?
You need a multistreaming service or a tool that can send your stream to several destinations. With Restream, you can simulcast from your browser with Restream Studio or from encoders like OBS Studio.