air date

Meaning

This term refers to the specific date and time a television program, radio show, or podcast is scheduled to be broadcast to the public. It is commonly used by both industry professionals and casual viewers discussing their favorite series. While originally used for traditional television, it now also applies to streaming releases.

Examples

• The network hasn't announced the official air date for the season finale yet.

  The network hasn't announced the official air date for the season finale yet.

• I marked the air date of the new documentary on my calendar so I wouldn't miss it.

  I marked the air date of the new documentary on my calendar so I wouldn't miss it.

• Due to production delays, the show's air date was pushed back by three weeks.

  Due to production delays, the show's air date was pushed back by three weeks.

• Do you know the exact air date of the first episode?

  Do you know the exact air date of the first episode?

• The podcast host revealed the air date for the highly anticipated interview.

  The podcast host revealed the air date for the highly anticipated interview.

Common Mistakes

• ✗ The show's broad date is next Friday.

  ✓ The show's air date is next Friday.

  Non-native speakers sometimes invent literal translations like 'broad date' or 'broadcasted date' instead of using the standard industry term 'air date'.

• ✗ When is the air date of the movie in theaters?

  ✓ When is the release date of the movie in theaters?

  'Air date' is reserved for broadcast media like TV, radio, or podcasts. Movies shown in theaters have a 'release date' or 'theatrical release'.

Related Expressions

Practice

• The network finally confirmed the ___ for the new drama series.

  💡 The scheduled day the show will be broadcast.

  Show answer

  air date

• They had to change the ___ because of a scheduling conflict with the sports game.

  💡 The day the episode is set to air.

  Show answer

  air date