Beginning and ending of operations for a radio or television station / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
A sign-on (or start-up in Commonwealth countries except Canada) is the beginning of operations for a radio or television station, generally at the start of each day. It is the opposite of a sign-off (or closedown in Commonwealth countries except Canada), which is the sequence of operations involved when a radio or television station shuts down its transmitters and goes off the air for a predetermined period; generally, this occurs during the overnight hours although a broadcaster's digital specialty or sub-channels may sign-on and sign-off at significantly different times than its main channels.
This article may contain an excessive amount of intricate detail that may interest only a particular audience. (September 2018)
The examples and perspective in this section deal primarily with the United States and do not represent a worldwide view of the subject. (April 2023)
"Sign-off" redirects here. For the term as used in letterwriting, see Valediction.
The closing announcement of ARD as heard in 1993 (in German).The sign-off message broadcast by DWWX-TV (ABS-CBN Manila) before stopping all broadcasts at 7:52 pm(PHT) in compliance with the NTC order because of the expiration of its franchise on May 5, 2020.
Sign-on and sign-off sequences have become less common due to the increasing prevalence of 24/7 broadcasting. However, some national broadcasters continue the practice; particularly those in countries with limited broadcast coverage. Stations may also sometimes close for transmitter maintenance, or to allow another station to broadcast on the same channel space.[1]