From Longman Dictionary of Contemporary Englishprime timeˈprime ˌtime noun [uncountable] AMTthe time in the evening when the largest number of people are watching television a prime time entertainment programme prime time television prime time audiences a speech that was broadcast live during prime time
Examples from the Corpus
prime time• Grot-bag Jo Brand will never be prime time, no matter how much lipstick she wears.• Under no circumstances, however, should the Dole campaign let Buchanan speak during prime time at the Republican Convention.• What a sweet deal that is-the stars get to look caring in exchange for prime time product placement.• The concluding town hall meeting will be broadcast in prime time.• Blimey, the schedules must be crammed with quality home-grown shows to keep such a peach out of prime time.• So why don't you both get off prime time telly immediately and make way for the new generation?• We know when the weather turns warm, prime time goes cold.From Longman Business Dictionaryprime-timeˈprime-time adjective [only before a noun]MARKETING relating to the time in the evening when most people are watching television, and the cost of advertising is at its most expensiveThe three major networks’ combined share of the prime-time audience has fallen to a new low.Warner will have about 20 series on prime-time television in the fall. —prime time noun [uncountable]The President will address the nation with a televised speech in prime time.prime timeˈprime time [uncountable]MARKETING the time when most people are watching the television or listening to the radio, and therefore the most expensive time for advertisingThe President usedprime time television for a brief, personalised appeal to voters.Prime time is just before the 8 o'clock news. → time 