What is the difference between these words for "audience"?


What is the difference in usage between these three words for "audience"?

> 観客{かんきゃく} (audience, spectators)
>
> 聴衆{ちょうしゅう} (audience, attendees)
>
> 観衆{かんしゅう} (audience, onlookers)

The dictionary definitions offer variations, but, none of those variations
clearly make any of the three mutually exclusive from each other. It doesn't
seem wrong to choose any of those to describe a group of people at a live
performance.

In other words, as far as I can tell, if one wanted to say, "The audience at
yesterday's show was rowdy," all these would convey the same meaning:

> 昨日{きのう}のショーの観客{かんきゃく}は[騒々]{そうぞう}しかった。
>
> 昨日{きのう}のショーの聴衆{ちょうしゅう}は[騒々]{そうぞう}しかった。
>
> 昨日{きのう}のショーの観衆{かんしゅう}は[騒々]{そうぞう}しかった。

Does changing the word for "audience" change the impression of what kind of
show it was? Are any of them incorrect?

What are examples where one is acceptable and another not which clearly
differentiate them?




視聴者：A person watching and listening to a radio or television program.

観客：Someone watching a movie, play, sporting event, etc.

聴衆：A group of people assembled to hear a concert, etc.

観衆：A large group of people gathered to see a performance, event, etc.

I'm mostly just literally translating dictionary definitions here, but I think
this should help you appreciate the differences between the words. A lot of it
hinges on the type of medium being enjoyed and the size of the group (single
or multiple people).




視聴者：A person watching and listening to a radio or television program.

観客：Someone watching a movie, play, sporting event, etc.

聴衆：A group of people assembled to hear a concert, etc.

観衆：A large group of people gathered to see a performance, event, etc.

I'm mostly just literally translating dictionary definitions here, but I think
this should help you appreciate the differences between the words. A lot of it
hinges on the type of medium being enjoyed and the size of the group (single
or multiple people).

