Program vs. Show: What's the Difference?
By Aimie Carlson & Janet White || Updated on May 30, 2024
"Program" refers to a planned series of events or activities, while "show" denotes a performance or display. Both involve organized activities, but "program" is broader, encompassing various types of events, whereas "show" is entertainment-focused.
Key Differences
"Program" refers to a structured series of events or activities, often with a specific purpose or goal. For example, a conference program includes various sessions and speakers. This term is broad and can apply to educational, cultural, or organizational contexts. "Show," on the other hand, specifically denotes a performance or display meant to entertain an audience. For instance, a TV show or a theater production. This term is focused on the entertainment aspect and typically involves performances.
While "program" can include a variety of events, such as seminars, workshops, and presentations, "show" is limited to performances, such as concerts, plays, or television episodes.
The term "program" implies a planned and organized sequence, which could be informative or educational, such as a training program. In contrast, "show" suggests a performance designed to engage and entertain viewers, like a magic show or a sitcom.
"Program" is used in broader contexts like software applications, government initiatives, or event schedules. "Show" is more commonly associated with entertainment industries, including live performances and broadcast media.
In terms of audience interaction, a "program" might be more passive or participatory depending on the type of event, while a "show" typically involves an audience watching and enjoying a performance.
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Comparison Chart
Definition
Planned series of events or activities
Performance or display meant to entertain
Context
Educational, cultural, organizational
Entertainment-focused
Scope
Broad, includes various types of events
Limited to performances
Purpose
Informative, educational, structured
Entertaining, engaging
Usage
Events, software, initiatives
Entertainment industry, performances
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Audience Interaction
Can be passive or participatory
Typically passive (audience watching)
Program and Show Definitions
Program
A planned series of events or activities.
The conference program included several keynote speeches.
Show
A television or radio series.
My favorite TV show is on tonight.
Program
A television or radio broadcast.
The news program airs at 6 PM daily.
Show
An exhibition or event for displaying items.
The car show featured the latest models from top brands.
Program
An organized plan or schedule.
The school's science program is highly regarded.
Show
A visual display of something.
The fireworks show was spectacular.
Program
A specific course of study or training.
She enrolled in a graduate program in biology.
Show
A theatrical performance.
The Broadway show received rave reviews.
Program
A listing of the order of events and other pertinent information for a public presentation.
Show
To cause or allow to be seen; display
Showed us his tattoo.
Program
The presentation itself
A program of piano pieces.
Show
To display for sale, in exhibition, or in competition
Showed her most recent paintings.
Program
A scheduled radio or television show.
Show
To permit access to (a house, for example) when offering for sale or rent.
Program
An ordered list of events to take place or procedures to be followed; a schedule
A program of physical therapy for a convalescent.
Show
To conduct; guide
Showed them to the table.
Program
A system of services, opportunities, or projects, usually designed to meet a social need
"Working parents rely on the center's after-school latchkey program" (New York Times).
Show
To direct one's attention to; point out
Showed them the city's historical sites.
Program
A course of academic study; a curriculum.
Show
To make evident or reveal (an emotion or condition, for example)
Showed displeasure at his remark.
A carpet that shows wear.
Program
A plan or system of academic and related or ancillary activities
A work-study program.
Show
To reveal (oneself) as in one's behavior or condition
The old boat showed itself to be seaworthy.
Program
A plan or system of nonacademic extracurricular activities
The football program.
Show
To indicate; register
The altimeter showed that the plane was descending.
Program
A set of coded instructions that enables a machine, especially a computer, to perform a desired sequence of operations.
Show
To demonstrate by reasoning or procedure
Showed that the hypothesis was wrong.
A film that showed how to tune a piano.
Program
An instruction sequence in programmed instruction.
Show
To demonstrate to by reasoning or procedure; inform or prove to
Showed him how to fix the camera.
Showed her that it could really happen.
Program
All or part of the genetic code of a cell or organism.
Show
To grant; bestow
Showed no mercy to the traitors.
Program
A characteristic sequence of developmental or behavioral events in a cell or organism, often considered to result from the expression of genes.
Show
To be or become visible or evident
Concern showed in his face.
Program
A stimulus or training sequence that causes an organism to exhibit a behavior, as by conditioning.
Show
(Slang) To make an appearance; show up
Didn't show for her appointment.
Program
To include or schedule in a program
Program a new musical composition.
Show
To be exhibited publicly
What's showing at the movie theater tonight?.
Program
To design a program for; schedule the activities of.
Show
To give a performance or present an exhibition
Which artist is showing in the gallery?.
Program
To provide (a machine) with a set of coded working instructions.
Show
(Sports) To finish third or better in a horserace or dog race.
Program
To stimulate or train to perform automatically in a specified way
Consumers who have been programmed to buy brand names.
Show
A display; a manifestation
Made a show of strength.
Program
To prepare an instructional sequence for (material to be taught) in programmed instruction.
Show
A trace or indication, as of oil in a well.
Program
To provide (a cell or organism, for example) with a genetic program
Cells that are programmed to produce insulin.
Show
The discharge of bloody mucus from the vagina indicating the start of labor.
Program
To cause (an effect or action) by means of a genetic program; determine genetically
"The basic housekeeping duties that a human and a yeast cell must perform are the same and are programmed by recognizably similar genes inherited from a common, single-celled ancestor" (Nicholas Wade).
Show
The first discharge of blood in menstruation.
Program
A set of structured activities.
Our program for today’s exercise class includes swimming and jogging.
Show
A false appearance; a pretense
Only a show of kindness.
Program
A leaflet listing information about a play, game or other activity.
The program consisted of ads for restaurants and the credits of everyone connected with the play.
Show
A striking appearance or display; a spectacle.
Program
(politics) A set of principle goals which are supported by a political party or individual candidate
Show
A pompous or ostentatious display.
Program
(broadcasting) A performance of a show or other broadcast on radio or television.
Tonight’s program was hosted by Johnny Carson.
Show
Display or outward appearance
This antique tea service is just for show. His smile was for show.
Program
(computing) A software application, or a collection of software applications, designed to perform a specific task.
The program runs on both Linux and Microsoft Windows.
Show
A public exhibition or entertainment.
Program
A particular mindset or method of doing things.
Show
An exposition for the display or demonstration of commercial products
An auto show.
Program
(transitive) To enter a program or other instructions into (a computer or other electronic device) to instruct it to do a particular task.
He programmed the DVR to record his favorite show.
Show
A usually competitive exhibition of domestic animals
Won first place at the cat show.
Program
(transitive) To develop (software) by writing program code.
I programmed a small game as a demonstration.
Show
A radio or television program.
Program
(transitive) To put together the schedule of an event.
Mary will program Tuesday’s festivities.
Show
A movie.
Program
(broadcasting) To schedule the programming; to determine what will be broadcast.
Show
A theatrical troupe or company.
Program
(transitive) To cause to automatically behave in a particular way.
The lab rat was programmed to press the lever when the bell rang.
Show
(Informal) An affair or undertaking
Ran the whole show.
Program
Same as Programme.
Show
(Sports) Third place at the finish, as in a horserace.
Program
A system of projects or services intended to meet a public need;
He proposed an elaborate program of public works
Working mothers rely on the day care program
Show
(transitive) To display, to have somebody see (something).
The car's dull finish showed years of neglect.
All he had to show for four years of attendance at college was a framed piece of paper.
Program
A series of steps to be carried out or goals to be accomplished;
They drew up a six-step plan
They discussed plans for a new bond issue
Show
(transitive) To bestow; to confer.
Program
(computer science) a sequence of instructions that a computer can interpret and execute;
The program required several hundred lines of code
Show
(transitive) To indicate (a fact) to be true; to demonstrate.
Program
An integrated course of academic studies;
He was admitted to a new program at the university
Show
(transitive) To guide or escort.
Could you please show him on his way. He has overstayed his welcome.
They showed us in.
Program
A radio or television show;
Did you see his program last night?
Show
(intransitive) To be visible; to be seen; to appear.
Your bald patch is starting to show.
At length, his gloom showed.
Program
A performance (or series of performances) at a public presentation;
The program lasted more than two hours
Show
To put in an appearance; show up.
We waited for an hour, but they never showed.
Program
A document stating the aims and principles of a political party;
Their candidate simply ignored the party platform
They won the election even though they offered no positive program
Show
To have an enlarged belly and thus be recognizable as pregnant.
Program
An announcement of the events that will occur as part of a theatrical or sporting event;
You can't tell the players without a program
Show
To finish third, especially of horses or dogs.
In the third race: Aces Up won, paying eight dollars; Blarney Stone placed, paying three dollars; and Cinnamon showed, paying five dollars.
Program
Arrange a program of or for;
Program the 80th birthday party
Show
To reveal one's hand of cards.
Program
Write a computer program
Show
(obsolete) To have a certain appearance, such as well or ill, fit or unfit; to become or suit; to appear.
Program
A set of instructions for a computer to execute.
The new software program helps manage finances.
Show
(countable) A play, dance, or other entertainment.
There were a thousand people at the show.
Show
(countable) An exhibition of items.
Art show;
Dog show
Show
(countable) A broadcast program, especially a light entertainment program.
Radio show;
Television show
They performed in the show.
I spotted my neighbour on the morning TV show.
Show
(countable) A movie.
Let's catch a show.
Show
An agricultural show.
I'm taking the kids to the show on Tuesday.
Show
A project or presentation.
Let's get on with the show.
Let's get this show on the road.
They went on an international road show to sell the shares to investors.
It was Apple's usual dog and pony show.
Show
(countable) A demonstration.
Show of force
Show
(uncountable) Mere display or pomp with no substance. (Usually seen in the phrases "all show" and "for show".)
The dog sounds ferocious but it's all show.
Show
Outward appearance; wileful or deceptive appearance.
Show
The major leagues.
He played AA ball for years, but never made it to the show.
Show
A pale blue flame at the top of a candle flame, indicating the presence of firedamp.
Show
(archaic) Pretence.
Show
(archaic) Sign, token, or indication.
Show
(obsolete) Semblance; likeness; appearance.
Show
(obsolete) Plausibility.
Show
(medicine) A discharge, from the vagina, of mucus streaked with blood, occurring a short time before labor.
Show
A battle; local conflict.
Show
To exhibit or present to view; to place in sight; to display; - the thing exhibited being the object, and often with an indirect object denoting the person or thing seeing or beholding; as, to show a house; show your colors; shopkeepers show customers goods (show goods to customers).
Go thy way, shew thyself to the priest.
Nor want we skill or art from whence to raiseMagnificence; and what can heaven show more?
Show
To exhibit to the mental view; to tell; to disclose; to reveal; to make known; as, to show one's designs.
Shew them the way wherein they must walk.
If it please my father to do thee evil, then I will shew it thee, and send thee away.
Show
Specifically, to make known the way to (a person); hence, to direct; to guide; to asher; to conduct; as, to show a person into a parlor; to show one to the door.
Show
To make apparent or clear, as by evidence, testimony, or reasoning; to prove; to explain; also, to manifest; to evince; as, to show the truth of a statement; to show the causes of an event.
I 'll show my duty by my timely care.
Show
To bestow; to confer; to afford; as, to show favor.
Shewing mercy unto thousands of them that love me.
Show
To exhibit or manifest one's self or itself; to appear; to look; to be in appearance; to seem.
Just such she shows before a rising storm.
All round a hedge upshoots, and showsAt distance like a little wood.
Show
To have a certain appearance, as well or ill, fit or unfit; to become or suit; to appear.
My lord of York, it better showed with you.
Show
The act of showing, or bringing to view; exposure to sight; exhibition.
Show
That which os shown, or brought to view; that which is arranged to be seen; a spectacle; an exhibition; as, a traveling show; a cattle show.
As for triumphs, masks, feasts, and such shows.
Show
Proud or ostentatious display; parade; pomp.
I envy none their pageantry and show.
Show
Semblance; likeness; appearance.
He through the midst unmarked,In show plebeian angel militantOf lowest order, passed.
Show
False semblance; deceitful appearance; pretense.
Beware of the scribes, . . . which devour widows' houses, and for a shew make long prayers.
Show
A discharge, from the vagina, of mucus streaked with blood, occuring a short time before labor.
Show
A pale blue flame, at the top of a candle flame, indicating the presence of fire damp.
Show
A public exhibition of entertainment;
A remarkable show of skill
Show
Something intended to communicate a particular impression;
Made a display of strength
A show of impatience
A good show of looking interested
Show
A public exhibition or entertainment;
They wanted to see some of the shows on Broadway
Show
Pretending that something is the case in order to make a good impression;
They try to keep up appearances
That ceremony is just for show
Show
Show or demonstrate something to an interested audience;
She shows her dogs frequently
We will demo the new software in Washington
Show
Establish the validity of something, as by an example, explanation or experiment;
The experiment demonstrated the instability of the compound
The mathematician showed the validity of the conjecture
Show
Provide evidence for;
The blood test showed that he was the father
Her behavior testified to her incompetence
Show
Make visible or noticeable;
She showed her talent for cooking
Show me your etchings, please
Show
Show in, or as in, a picture;
This scene depicts country life
The face of the child is rendered with much tenderness in this painting
Show
Give expression to;
She showed her disappointment
Show
Indicate a place, direction, person, or thing; either spatially or figuratively;
I showed the customer the glove section
He pointed to the empty parking space
He indicated his opponents
Show
Make clear and visible;
The article revealed the policies of the government
Show
Be or become visible or noticeable;
His good upbringing really shows
The dirty side will show
Show
Indicate a certain reading; of gauges and instruments;
The thermometer showed thirteen degrees below zero
The gauge read `empty'
Show
Give evidence of, as of records;
The diary shows his distress that evening
Show
Show (someone) to their seats, as in theaters or auditoriums;
The usher showed us to our seats
Show
Finish third or better in a horse or dog race;
He bet $2 on number six to show
Show
A performance or display meant to entertain.
The circus show was a hit with the children.
FAQs
What is a show?
A show is a performance or display meant to entertain an audience.
Is a TV show a program?
Yes, a TV show can be considered a type of program.
What is the main purpose of a program?
The main purpose of a program is to organize and present events or activities systematically.
What is a program?
A program is a planned series of events or activities, often with a specific purpose.
Can a program be a show?
Sometimes, a program can include shows, but not all programs are shows.
What is the main purpose of a show?
The main purpose of a show is to entertain an audience.
Can a radio broadcast be called a show?
Yes, radio broadcasts are often called shows.
Can a program be interactive?
Yes, some programs are designed to be interactive, such as workshops or seminars.
Can a show be educational?
Yes, some shows are designed to be educational, like documentaries or educational TV shows.
Is a live concert a program or a show?
A live concert is typically considered a show.
Is a theater play considered a show?
Yes, a theater play is a type of show.
Can a program include multiple shows?
Yes, a program can consist of multiple shows, especially in festivals or conferences.
Can a program be educational?
Yes, programs can be educational, such as school or training programs.
Are training sessions part of a program?
Yes, training sessions are often part of a larger program.
Is a variety show considered a program?
It can be, especially if it is part of a scheduled series of events.
Is a software application called a program?
Yes, software applications are often referred to as programs.
Do shows require an audience?
Typically, shows are designed to be viewed by an audience.
Can a program be a single event?
Generally, a program includes multiple events, but it can be used to describe a single organized activity as well.
Is a documentary a program or a show?
A documentary can be considered both, depending on the context.
Can an exhibition be called a show?
Yes, exhibitions are often referred to as shows, like art shows or trade shows.
About Author
Written by
Aimie CarlsonAimie Carlson, holding a master's degree in English literature, is a fervent English language enthusiast. She lends her writing talents to Difference Wiki, a prominent website that specializes in comparisons, offering readers insightful analyses that both captivate and inform.
Co-written by
Janet WhiteJanet White has been an esteemed writer and blogger for Difference Wiki. Holding a Master's degree in Science and Medical Journalism from the prestigious Boston University, she has consistently demonstrated her expertise and passion for her field. When she's not immersed in her work, Janet relishes her time exercising, delving into a good book, and cherishing moments with friends and family.
