Is there a diff. between writing "steps in the production of a media product"...

[CuriousGeorge]

...or "stages of production of..."? I'm learning about the Media Giants and in specific "Vertical Integration." Is there a difference of using the word steps or stages in the following sentence? "Vertical integration of markets refers to when media corps own assets that are involved in the different STAGES/STEPS of production, distribution, etc.