Prime time

Prime time is the block of programming on television during the middle of the evening. In the United States, television networks broadcast their prime time programming in two blocks: One for the Eastern, Central, and Mountain time zones, and one for the Pacific, Alaskan, and Hawaiian time zones. The generally accepted times considered to be traditional prime time are 8:00pm to 11:00pm Eastern and Pacific and 7:00pm to 10:00pm Central and Mountain Monday–Saturday. Sundays extend an hour earlier to begin at 7:00pm Eastern and Pacific and 6:00pm Central and Mountain. With the addition of newer networks such as the FOX Network, The WB, and UPN, there now is considered a common prime separate from traditional prime. Common prime is 8:00pm to 10:00pm Eastern and Pacific and 7:00pm to 9:00pm Central and Mountain Monday–Saturday with the same hour extension on Sundays.

See also

• Drive time (similar concept in radio)
• Late night
• Rating
• Market share
• PrimeTime Radio
• Not Ready for Prime-Time Players