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A narrowcast is the transmission of data to a specific list of recipients. Cable television
Cable television

Cable television is a system of providing television to consumers via radio frequency signals transmitted to televisions through fixed optical fibers or coaxial cables as opposed to the over-the-air method used in traditional television broadcasting in which a television antenna is required....
 is an example of broadcast model in which the signals are transmitted everywhere and anyone with an antenna can receive them.

The Internet
Internet

The Internet is a global network of interconnected computers, enabling users to share information along multiple channels. Typically, a computer that connects to the Internet can access information from a vast array of available server and other computers by moving information from them to the computer's local memory....
 uses both a broadcast and a narrowcast model. Most Web sites are on a broadcast model since anyone with Internet access can view the sites. However, sites that require one to log-in before viewing content are based more on the narrowcast model.






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A narrowcast is the transmission of data to a specific list of recipients. Cable television
Cable television

Cable television is a system of providing television to consumers via radio frequency signals transmitted to televisions through fixed optical fibers or coaxial cables as opposed to the over-the-air method used in traditional television broadcasting in which a television antenna is required....
 is an example of broadcast model in which the signals are transmitted everywhere and anyone with an antenna can receive them.

The Internet
Internet

The Internet is a global network of interconnected computers, enabling users to share information along multiple channels. Typically, a computer that connects to the Internet can access information from a vast array of available server and other computers by moving information from them to the computer's local memory....
 uses both a broadcast and a narrowcast model. Most Web sites are on a broadcast model since anyone with Internet access can view the sites. However, sites that require one to log-in before viewing content are based more on the narrowcast model. Push technologies which send information to subscribers are another form for narrowcasting. Perhaps the best example of narrowcasting are electronic mailing list
Electronic mailing list

An electronic mailing list is a special usage of electronic mail that allows for widespread distribution of information to many Internet users....
s where messages are sent only to individuals who subscribe to the list.

The terms multicast
Multicast

Multicast is a Computer networking addressing method for the delivery of information to a group of destinations simultaneously using the most efficient strategy to deliver the messages over each link of the network only once, creating copies only when the links to the multiple destinations split....
 and narrowcast are often used interchangeably, although narrowcast usually refers to the business model whereas multicast refers to the actual technology used to transmit the data.

Scope

Since 1985, cable programmes have been protected by copyright law. Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988
Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988

The Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988 , also known as the CDPA, is an Act of Parliament of the Parliament of the United Kingdom which received Royal Assent on 15 November 1988....
 defines a cable programme to mean any item included in a cable programme service which exists wholly or mainly in sending visual images, sounds, or other information by means of a telecommunication system, otherwise than by wireless telegraphy, for reception either (a) at two or more places (not necessarily simultaneously) or (b) for presentation to members of the public.

In addition to familiar cable television services, a cable programme service might include a non-interactive online database service. It thus excludes interactive systems like teleshopping or internal business services, individual domestic services, services on single-occupier premises otherwise than by way of business amenity, Intranets, et al.

Commercial application

Narrowcasting is particularly useful as a commercial advertising
Advertising

Advertising is a form of communication that typically attempts to persuade potential customers to Purchasing or to consume more of a particular brand of Product or Service ....
 tool. Pre-recorded television programmes are often broadcast to captive audiences in taxi cabs
Cabvision

Cabvision is a narrowcast private recorded television service provided in London taxicabs....
, bus
Bus

A bus is a road vehicle designed to carry passengers. A bus can generally seat a maximum of anywhere from 8 to 200 passengers; many more passengers than a minivan....
es, elevators and queues (such as at branches of the Post Office
Post Office Ltd.

Post Office Ltd is a retail post office company in the United Kingdom that provides a wide range of products including postage stamps and banking to the public through its nationwide network of post office branches....
 in the United Kingdom
United Kingdom

The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, commonly known as the United Kingdom , the UK or Britain,is a sovereign state located off the northwestern coast of continental Europe....
). The theory being that, by identifying particular demographics viewing such programmes, advertisers can better target their markets.