terrestrial broadcast

noun
UK /təˈrestriəl ˈbrɔːdkɑːst/
US /təˈrestriəl ˈbrɔːdkæst/

A TV or radio show sent through the air from towers on the ground, not from space.

We watched the game on a terrestrial broadcast because we don't have cable.

SYNONYMS

over-the-air broadcastground-based broadcastfree-to-air broadcastantenna broadcast

RELATED WORDS

antennatransmitterairwavestelevisionradio

OTHER MEANINGS

2. A signal sent from land-based stations rather than satellites.

The storm knocked out the terrestrial broadcast signal for hours.

3. Television or radio programming received without a subscription.

Many people still rely on terrestrial broadcast for local news.

4. The act of sending radio waves from Earth-based equipment.

Engineers tested the terrestrial broadcast system across the region.