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En direct, en différé, rediffusion: French broadcast labels

Edited by Chris Lee · Updated · About the library

Read French broadcast labels for live, delayed and repeat programmes, with twenty useful terms and written checks that require no audio.

In short

En direct means live, en différé means broadcast after the event, and rediffusion means a repeat. These labels concern transmission timing, not whether every statement is accurate. Replay usually offers later access to a programme, subject to the service’s stated availability.

Yellow the idea to rememberBlue French to learn

A video camera points toward an empty chair in a simple studio set.
A camera faces an empty chair on a small studio set. Illustration: Atelier

A programme guide can show several times: the event, the recording, the broadcast and the end of catch-up availability. Knowing which time a label describes helps you decide whether you are watching events unfold or accessing something produced earlier. All activities on this page are written; there is no audio to identify by ear.

When the programme reaches you

en directliveLe débat est diffusé en direct ce soir.
en différéon a delayed broadcastLe concert enregistré cet après-midi passe en différé ce soir.
une rediffusiona repeat broadcastCette émission est une rediffusion de celle de lundi.
une première diffusiona first broadcastLa première diffusion du documentaire est prévue vendredi.
un programme enregistréa recorded programmeLe programme enregistré hier sera diffusé demain.

Find it again

le replaycatch-up viewingLe replay sera disponible après l’émission.
à la demandeon demandLe documentaire est proposé à la demande.
disponible jusqu’auavailable untilL’émission est disponible jusqu’au 30 juin.
quitter le directto leave the live streamJe quitte le direct pour revoir le début.
reprendre depuis le débutto restart from the beginningCette option permet de reprendre depuis le début.

During a broadcast

une interruptionan interruptionUne interruption technique a coupé l’émission.
reprendre l’antenneto resume broadcastingLa chaîne reprend l’antenne après la pause.
un décalagea time lagIl y a un léger décalage entre les deux écrans.
une pause publicitairean advertising breakLe débat reprend après la pause publicitaire.
un bandeau d’informationan information bannerUn bandeau d’information annonce le changement de programme.

Read what the label does not guarantee

les horaires de diffusionbroadcast timesLes horaires de diffusion figurent dans le programme.
la date d’enregistrementthe recording dateLa date d’enregistrement est indiquée au générique.
une séquencea segmentCette séquence a été enregistrée avant le direct.
un extraitan excerptL’extrait ne montre qu’une partie de l’entretien.
le programme intégralthe full programmeLe programme intégral dure cinquante minutes.

Delayed and repeated are different relationships

A concert played at 15 h and first shown at 21 h is broadcast en différé. If that broadcast is shown again on Sunday, the later showing is a rediffusion. A recording can therefore have a first delayed broadcast and later repeats. The labels answer different questions: how close is the broadcast to the event, and has this programme been broadcast before?

Question 1No account needed
An event happens this afternoon and is first broadcast tonight. Which label fits?

Choose one answer.

Answer and explanation

En différé. The first broadcast occurs after the event; that is a delayed broadcast.

Question 2No account needed
A programme already shown on Monday is shown again. What is it?

Choose one answer.

Answer and explanation

Une rediffusion. Rediffusion identifies a repeat broadcast.

Question 3No account needed
Does en direct establish that every segment was recorded at that instant?

Choose one answer.

Answer and explanation

No; a live programme may include recorded segments.. The overall transmission can be live while including a pre-recorded excerpt.

Question 4No account needed
What does disponible jusqu’au 30 juin describe?

Choose one answer.

Answer and explanation

An availability end date. It gives the stated access window, not permanent availability.

Timing and evidence remain separate

A live discussion can contain mistakes, and a repeat can contain accurate information that is now old. Check dates and sources when a practical claim matters. “Direct” does not replace verification; “rediffusion” does not mean false. An excerpt may also leave out the surrounding qualification, so the programme intégral can provide context.

Practise by drawing four points on paper: event, recording if separate, first broadcast and later access. Place the label at the point it actually describes. This is a reading activity about programme information, without any claim to test hearing.

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