Hauptsendezeiten

Hauptsendezeiten, also called Hauptsendezeit or primetime, is a term used in broadcasting to denote the time window with the highest expected audience share. It applies to television and radio, mainly in German-speaking countries. The term is used in programming, scheduling, and advertising to refer to the peak hours when most people watch or listen.

In television, die Hauptsendezeit typically occurs in the early evening to late evening, roughly between 19:00 and 22:00 or 20:00–23:00 CET, depending on country, day of week, and station. News programs, national or popular series, films, and sports events are commonly placed during these hours. Advertising slots are often priced higher due to larger audiences. The exact window may differ on public broadcasters versus private channels and between weekdays and weekends.

In radio, Hauptsendezeiten refer to periods with the strongest listenership, often driven by commuting patterns. Common blocks include morning and late afternoon drive times, when many listeners tune in for news, music, or talk formats.

The concept serves as a guideline for audience measurement and media planning, with ratings data guiding scheduling and ad sales. It can influence program budgets and the perceived value of certain genres or events. Critics note that an emphasis on Hauptsendezeiten may marginalize niche programs or reduce content diversity.

The term remains primarily used in German-speaking media markets but has broader equivalents in other languages as primetime, indicating the same core idea of peak audience hours.