What do the people in the acting profession mean by live to tape?

“Many events are advertised as being live, although they are often “recorded live” (sometimes called “live-to-tape”). This is particularly true of performances of musical artists on radio when they visit for an in-studio concert performance. Similar situations have occurred in television production (“The Cosby Show is recorded in front of a live television studio audience”) and news broadcasting.”
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Broadcasting

I think it’s presented without editing, the same as if it were aired live.

Actually, it IS edited, but only lightly so as to give the impression it’s a real-time performance.

Live-to-tape usually signifies a live event recorded as it is performed, with minimal editing. Most TV shows are filmed or taped with such things as scene cuts, camera angles, foley (sound) effects and music added at a later editing, much like a movie. Live-to-tape implies that the editing is minimal. and can sometimes be more spontaneous.

I think one of the best was the long-running MTV UNPLUGGED which won numerous awards both for the program and various artist who participated over the years.

One of the most memorable was Eric Clapton. Even tho he had released it on cassette, it was his first public performance of Tears in Heaven. This is the song he wrote following the tragic accidental death of his four year old son falling out the window of the 50th floor apartment of a friend.

MTV Unplugged has its own YouTube channel with loads of clips. His is one of the few shown in its entirety. Its a beautiful performance.

Thanks all.