prime-time
Top TV hours
Prime-time refers to the evening hours when television audiences are largest, typically 8 to 11 p.m. in the United States.
Networks schedule their most popular shows and charge highest advertising rates during this window.
The term extends to anything prominent or high-quality: a prime-time player, ready for prime time.
Something not ready for prime time lacks the polish or competence for serious consideration.
Interconnected system
- ratingsEvaluative scores assigned
- sitcomEpisodic TV comedy series
- dramaTheatrical art or turmoil
- NielsenTV ratings firm
broadcast · cable · lineup · schedule · slot · airtime · episode · series
Evaluative scores assigned
- viewershipCollective television audience
- blockbusterEnormously successful entertainment property
- trendingCurrently gaining widespread attention
- mainstreamDominant cultural current
fanbase · buzzworthy · viral · phenomenon · megahit · smash · crowd-pleaser · must-see
Late day period
- 8pmEvening's eighth hour
- 9pmLate evening hour
- weeknightNon-weekend evening
- schedulingAssigning times to events
Transmitted media signal
Paid promotional broadcasts
- sponsorshipFunded endorsement arrangement
- demographicsStatistical population characteristics
- reachExtend to touch
- impressionsEffects on the mind
upfronts · CPM · advertisers
network
Interconnected system
Nielsen · broadcast · cable · lineup · schedule · slot · airtime · episode · series · viewer
ratings
Evaluative scores assigned
- viewershipCollective television audience
- blockbusterEnormously successful entertainment property
- trendingCurrently gaining widespread attention
mainstream · fanbase · buzzworthy · viral · phenomenon · megahit · smash · crowd-pleaser · must-see
evening
Late day period
broadcast
Transmitted media signal
commercials
Paid promotional broadcasts
- sponsorshipFunded endorsement arrangement
- demographicsStatistical population characteristics
- reachExtend to touch
impressions · upfronts · CPM · advertisers
- news termsreporter, journalist, anchor, newscaster, broadcaster
prime-timeovernight
Spanning evening to morning
graveyard slot · late-night · daytime · off-peak · dead zone
prime-timeoff-hours
Non-working periods
obscure · niche · marginal · buried · cable access
prime-timesmall-time
Of little significance
B-list · second-rate · amateur hour · minor league · bush league