For most viewers, that’s OK. But for industry professionals, lawmakers, and, of course, advertisers, the differences are crucial. We want to help our clients feel just as well-versed in the strengths of each TV advertising option. So, we’ve put together a handy guide to what is the difference between broadcast and cable. When you decide to advertise on television, you’ll be choosing among broadcast, cable, and local channels. Each one offers its own unique benefits and ad rates.