Sign-on and sign-off explained

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.

Like other television programming, sign-on and sign-off sequences can be initiated by a broadcast automation system, and automatic transmission systems can turn the carrier signal and transmitter on/off by remote control.

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]

Sign-on/start-up

Sign-ons, like sign-offs, vary from country to country, from station to station, and from time to time; however, most follow a similar general pattern. It is common for sign-ons to be followed by a network's early morning newscast, or their morning or breakfast show.

Some broadcasters that have ceased signing on and signing off in favour of 24-hour broadcasting may perform a sign-on sequence at a certain time in the morning (usually between 4:00 and 7:00 a.m.) as a formality to signify the start of its operating day (in the United States, the broadcast logging day begins at 6:00 a.m. local time).

Sign-on/start-up sequence

The sign-on sequence may include some or all of the following stages, but not necessarily in this order:

While most of these sign-on steps are done as a service to the public, or for advertising reasons, some of them may be required by the government of the country.

Sign-off/closedown

Sign-offs, like sign-ons, vary from country to country, from station to station, and from time to time; however, most follow a similar general pattern. Many stations follow the reverse process to their sign-on sequence at the start of the day.

Many stations, while no longer conducting a sign-off and being off air for a period of time each day, instead run low - cost programming during those times of low viewer numbers. This may include infomercials, movies, television show reruns, simple weather forecasts, low cost news or infotainment programming from other suppliers, simulcasts of sister services, or feeds of local cable TV companies' programming via a fiber optic line to the cable headend. Other broadcasters that are part of a radio or television network may run an unedited feed of the network's overnight programming from a central location, without local advertising. During what are otherwise closedown hours, some channels may also simulcast their teletext pages or full page headlines with music or feeds from sister radio stations playing in the background. Some stations, after doing a sign-off, nonetheless continue to transmit throughout the off-air period on cable/satellite; this transmission may involve a test pattern, static image, local weather radar display, teletext pages or full-page headlines which was accompanied by music or a local weather radio service.

Some broadcasters that have ceased signing on and signing off in favour of 24-hour broadcasting may perform a sign-off sequence at a certain time in the night (usually between 10:00 pm and 1:00 a.m.) as a formality to signify the end of its operating day (in the United States, the broadcast logging day ends at 12:00 midnight local time).

Sign-off/closedown sequence

The sign-off sequence may include some or all of the following stages, but not necessarily in this order:

Some countries have a legal protocol for signing-off: in the United States, the minimum requirement is the station's callsign, followed by its designated city of license.[6] Many stations do include other protocols, such as the national anthem or transmitter information, as a custom, or as a service to the public.

In the United Kingdom, before the introduction of 24-hour television, there was no known legal protocol for a sign-off: BBC One and many ITV regions customarily included a continuity announcement, clock and the country's national anthem (for BBC One Wales and HTV Wales, Hen Wlad Fy Nhadau was also played beforehand), while Granada and Channel 4 signed-off with just an announcement, clock and ident, and BBC Two, Yorkshire and Border closed down with an announcement over their station clock.

In Germany, it is a custom to play the national anthem (for Bayerischer Rundfunk and stations owned by ProSiebenSat.1 Media, the Bayernhymne was also played beforehand) and the European Union anthem.

In Spain, it is a custom to play the national anthem (for RTVA, EITB and Televisión de Galicia, La bandera blanca y verde, Eusko Abendaren Ereserkia and Os Pinos was also played beforehand respectively).

Religious acknowledgements during sign-on and sign-off

CountryReligious acknowledgement
AlgeriaQuran reading[7]
ArmeniaChristian blessing[8]
Antigua and BarbudaChristian hymn
AustraliaChristian hymn
AustriaBible reading, responsorial psalm or Christian prayer
BangladeshQuran, Bhagvad Gita, Tripitaka or Bible reading
BarbadosChristian hymn
BhutanBuddhist hymn[9]
BoliviaChristian sermonette or prayer[10]
BrazilChristian programme[11]
BruneiQuran reading[12]
CambodiaBuddhist quote or inspirational message
CanadaChristian sermonette[13] (English-language channels) or responsorial psalm (French-language channels)
EgyptQuran reading[14]
EthiopiaBible reading or Christian prayer
FranceResponsorial psalm
GermanyBible reading, responsorial psalm or Christian prayer
GreeceChristian prayer[15]
GrenadaChristian hymn
IndonesiaQuran reading[16]
IranQuran reading[17]
IrelandChristian prayer[18]
IsraelPsuko Shel Yom[19]
JordanQuran reading[20]
KenyaBible reading
KuwaitQuran reading[21]
LibyaQuran reading[22]
MalaysiaQuran reading[23]
MaldivesQuran reading
MoroccoQuran reading[24]
MyanmarBuddhist quote[25]
NepalHindu song or inspirational message[26]
NigerQuran reading[27]
PakistanQuran reading[28]
PeruChristian prayer[29]
PhilippinesCatholic prayer[30] [31]
PolandResponsorial psalm and Alleluia
PortugalBible reading
Saint LuciaChristian hymn
Saint Vincent and the GrenadinesChristian prayer
Saudi ArabiaQuran reading[32]
South AfricaChristian prayer and/or sermonette
SpainBible reading
Sri LankaBuddhist prayer[33] or Hindu prayer
SudanQuran reading
SyriaQuran reading[34]
ThailandBuddhist quote or inspirational message[35]
Trinidad and TobagoChristian prayer[36]
United KingdomChristian sermonette
Christian prayer, sermonette or inspirational message[37] [38] [39]
Quran reading[40]
Quran reading[41]

Special sign-on/off cases

Historical

In a number of countries closedowns formerly took place during the daytime as well as overnight. In the United Kingdom this was initially due to government-imposed restrictions on daytime broadcasting hours, and later, due to budgetary constraints. The eventual relaxation of these rules meant that afternoon closedowns ceased permanently on the ITV network in October 1972, but the BBC maintained the practice until Friday 24 October 1986, before commencing a full daytime service on the following Monday. Afternoon closedowns continued in South Korea until December 2005. Hong Kong's broadcasting networks (particularly the English-speaking channels) also practiced this until mid-2008. In these cases, the station's transmitters later did not actually shut-down for the afternoon break; either a test-card was played or a static schedule was posted telling viewers of the programming line-up once broadcasting resumes.

In Indonesia, restrictions on broadcast hours were also implemented in July 2005 as part of an energy saving campaign.[42] Three years later, it were implemented again due to the electricity crisis.[43]

Medium-wave AM

Medium wave radio is a special case due to its unusual propagation characteristics; it can bounce hundreds of miles by reflecting from the upper atmosphere at night, but during the day these same layers absorb signal instead of reflecting. A few powerful regional clear-channel stations have an extensive secondary coverage area which is protected by having smaller local co-channel stations in distant communities sign off shortly before sunset. A frequency on which a broadcaster has to drastically reduce power or sign off entirely at sunset was traditionally the least desirable assignment, which would usually go to small or new-entrant stations when all of the more favourable slots were already allocated.

These AM daytimers are becoming less common as stations (and audiences) migrate to FM or to frequencies vacated by the closure of other stations, but a handful still exist in the US and México.

Religious

India

During religious holidays or occasions, Doordarshan and Akashvani will broadcast a prayer of any religion through the day, a week or a month (e.g. During Ramadan, a reading from the Quran, a Muslim quote, or a call for Azan and Fajr prayer will be broadcast. During Lent, a Christian prayer, a hymn or a psalm will be broadcast).

Israel

During Yom Kippur, virtually all radio and television stations based in Israel go silent for 24 hours, as required by law. However, most international networks broadcast in Israel (e.g. CNN) continue to broadcast as usual.[44]

Malaysia

During Ramadan, Malaysian public broadcaster RTM operated TV1 24 hours a day instead of signing off. In 2012, TV1 broadcast 24 hours a day during the London Olympics in 2012, due to the time difference.[45] This would become permanent in August 2012, to coincide with their sister channel TV2 by showing reruns from the broadcaster's archive library and movies on early mornings before start-up.

Philippines

During the Holy Week in the Philippines that occurs anywhere between the last week of March to the third week of April (depending on the Roman Catholic liturgical calendar), terrestrial television and radio stations continue their regular schedules from Palm Sunday until Holy Wednesday. From the midnight of Holy Thursday until the early hours of Easter Sunday (before 4 AM PHT), most commercial television and radio networks either remain off-the-air or reduce their broadcast hours. Stations that opt to remain on-air provide special programming such as Lenten drama specials, news coverage of various services and rites, and mellow music content. Member stations of the Catholic Media Network prominently follow the latter pattern, broadcasting Easter Triduum services and other similar programming.[46]

Campus radio stations' operations during this time are left to the discretion of their respective schools, colleges, or universities by either closing down on the afternoon and/or evening of Holy Wednesday or remaining off-air for the entire Holy Week.

On cable, satellite, and live TV streaming, with the exception of specialty channels that broadcast horse racing, cockfighting, and the like that remain dormant during this period, most international networks distributed in the Philippines or Philippine-exclusive cable channels either continue to broadcast their 24/7 regular programming service week-long or provide specially-arranged schedules from Holy Thursday to Black Saturday.

Notable historical exceptions

Indonesia

In Bali during Nyepi, all terrestrial television and radio stations go off-the-air.

See also

External links

Notes and References

  1. An example of this is the United Kingdom’s BBC Four/CBeebies and the Czech Republic's ČT art/ČT Déčko.
  2. Web site: James . Brandon . Watch These Old West Michigan Television Sign-offs Before You Go To Bed . WBCK . Townsquare Media . 16 March 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20190403162922/https://wbckfm.com/old-michigan-television-sign-offs/ . 3 April 2019 . Battle Creek . 22 March 2019 . live.
  3. Web site: Chronik der ARD Das Erste rund um die Uhr. 2020-07-04. web.ard.de. 2020-07-05. https://web.archive.org/web/20200705001132/http://web.ard.de/ard-chronik/index/3466?year=1995&month=9. live.
  4. 20 June 2017 . Disney Junior Nordic Close Down and Sleeping Night Loop 2017 . VGX / TVHolidays . . 4 August 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20191113172932/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tOAs8AWMqjY&gl=US&hl=en . 13 November 2019 . live.
  5. 28 May 2016 . DR Ramasjang godnat (2016) . TelevisionIdents . . 4 August 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210522054844/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zcg5_IYQ9aQ . 22 May 2021 . live.
  6. Web site: 47 CFR 73.1201 (a)(2). Federal Communications Commission. 2016-07-23. 2016-06-29. https://web.archive.org/web/20160629130614/https://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/CFR-2010-title47-vol4/pdf/CFR-2010-title47-vol4-sec73-1201.pdf. live.
  7. 8 February 2015 . Hymne national algérien (Archive Algerian TV 1996) . Baboul . . 4 August 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210107162116/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wbCd8NoiUf8 . 7 January 2021 . live.
  8. http://www.intervalsignals.net/Files/arm-public_radio_domestic_290908.m3u
  9. Web site: Bhuthan Broadcasting Service (BBS) FULL BROADCAST . . 23 April 2022 . 2022-04-27 . 2022-04-27 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220427105715/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jBUyb7Lrjo4&gl=US&hl=en . live .
  10. 15 July 2020 . TV-DX TVB Internacional Bolivia, opening and breakfast TV 27.03.2001 . EifelDX . . 4 August 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200907185722/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EycV1gCAWsA&t=185s . 7 September 2020 . live.
  11. Web site: - YouTube . . 2020-07-16 . 2020-09-06 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200906060343/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Bx9l3_V-Fw . live .
  12. 9 July 2020 . RTB Sukmaindera Startup . connor-tv . . 4 August 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200904194229/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7HnvjCw2k0U . 4 September 2020 . live.
  13. 12 February 2015 . CKY-TV Sign-Off (1983) . bmuz . . 4 August 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200904210527/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t7Be6MVNz10 . 4 September 2020 . live.
  14. 25 February 2017 . TV-DX ERTU CH1 05.10.1993 . EifelDX . . 4 August 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200930234120/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JdY-i58tai0 . 30 September 2020 . live.
  15. http://www.intervalsignals.net/Files/grc-z-yened_rvd_1974.m3u
  16. 20 April 2023 . Siaran penutup SCTV tahun 2001 . widiajier . . 1 July 2023 .
  17. 18 December 2019 . IRIB Pooya Sign Off IRIB Nahal Sign On (December 18, 2019) . EnzoTheGreatWare . . 4 August 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200904230921/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MTZrYZ6rHNk . 4 September 2020 . live.
  18. 18 July 2013 . RTÉ Closedown November 1995 . myyoutubename . . 4 August 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20201125063847/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rCIFhSv-XVs . 25 November 2020 . live.
  19. 28 December 2009 . Psuko Shel Yom1.wmv . shirlytwo . . 4 August 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210515184212/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-fiSnHG57GM . 15 May 2021 . live.
  20. http://www.intervalsignals.net/Files/jor-rj_arabic_250207.m3u
  21. 5 July 2008 . Kuwait TV KTS E5 Startup 1985 . Testcards & pres oddities . . 27 April 2024 . live.
  22. Web site: Libya . 2020-07-16 . 2020-07-14 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200714232951/http://ing-sat.what.hu/satlogos/libya.htm . live .
  23. 13 January 2017 . RTM TV1 Morning Startup (6:00am) 14.1.2017 . Radziah Razuan . . 4 August 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20201008135526/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IiMyRtYRiW4 . 8 October 2020 . live.
  24. 17 March 2017 . TV-DX 2M Morocco 01.12.1993 . EifelDX . . 4 August 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210328031215/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DOsRo9jrt0E . 28 March 2021 . live.
  25. 16 February 2020 . ภาพทดสอบ / ident / เพลงชาติเมียนมาร์ - กะบามะเจ (พ.ศ. 2563) ช่อง MRTV HD . เพลงชาติผ่านดาวเทียมซับไทย AnthemOnTVSatelliteSubThai . . 4 August 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20201012121333/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kzUyABJ7ZWc . 12 October 2020 . live.
  26. Book: Tourism and Memories of Home: Migrants, Displaced People, Exiles and Diasporic Communities. 9781845416058. Marschall. Sabine. 3 February 2017. Channel View Publications . 14 December 2020. 24 March 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220324162029/https://books.google.com/books?id=PpfzDQAAQBAJ&q=radio+nepal+bhajan+sign+on&pg=PT186. live.
  27. 26 March 2017 . TV-DX Tele Sahel opening, news and closedown 17.11.1993 . EifelDX . . 4 August 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20201211060752/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8zbpITJKUZg . 11 December 2020 . live.
  28. 10 June 2020 . TV-DX PTV Pakistan Testcard and opening, some news 08.09.1994 . EifelDX . . 4 August 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210326010801/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P_z-EPRS4w4 . 26 March 2021 . live.
  29. 6 May 2020 . Frecuencia Latina - Años 90: Himno Nacional y Padre Nuestro . Claudio Cordero . . 4 August 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210328072947/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YS0YxwyxcJc . 28 March 2021 . live.
  30. 21 May 2010 . NBN-4 Overnite Prayer & Sign-Off 2009 . deniel013 . . 4 August 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20201004041554/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YYQ0yYtkSPg . 4 October 2020 . live.
  31. Web site: DZRH Sign Off – Tony Boy Bautista (YouTube) . . 2022-03-08 . 2022-03-08 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220308130319/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YTG0lBEKHdA . live .
  32. 20 June 2020 . TV-DX ART-1, Saudi Arabia 06.01.1994 . EifelDX . . 4 August 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20201003082554/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UwYO4Y_0dNc . 3 October 2020 . live.
  33. Web site: Rupavahini Closedown (2020) . . 31 March 2020 . 2022-03-08 . 2022-03-08 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220308064902/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bDbJ7rSxX5Q . live .
  34. 1 December 2017 . Syria TV morning Sign on with patriotic songs, national Anthem and prayer from today (1 Dec 2017) . Defenders of the Syrian Arab Republic . . 4 August 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200831205356/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MgqnwCEh2fk . 31 August 2020 . live.
  35. 14 September 2020 . ปิดสถานี ช่อง 9 (2531) . Domodarken-M . . 4 August 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20201018172322/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KR8HaDFgFPA&gl=US&hl=en . 18 October 2020 . live.
  36. 19 July 2013 . CCN TV6 Trinidad & Tobago Sign On (1990s) . mmm-Kyron-mmm . . 4 August 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200423145255/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hjBFs_W1qUo&gl=US&hl=en . 23 April 2020 . live.
  37. 17 November 2019 . Meditation/Prayer & Station Sign Off - WJAR, Providence, RI - November, 1987 (VHS) . The Basement Labs . . 4 August 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20201018172253/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eQ4qymrEV0M&gl=US&hl=en . 18 October 2020 . live.
  38. 7 January 2018 . WVTV TV 18 - News Final/Lord's Prayer/Signoff/Nat'l Anthem January 21, 1984 [27 min 42 sec] ]. The TV Madman . . 4 August 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200831153437/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aICYeqUyNAE . 31 August 2020 . live.
  39. 1 April 2008 . 1970s KTUL sign-off: Indian sign language . TulsaTV . . 4 August 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210212101340/http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UReVVrbL8xs . 12 February 2021 . live.
  40. 4 July 2017 . RASD TV - Closedown (5-7-2017) . TanaponLive HD2 . . 4 August 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200905074754/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_RysgTYFsSE . 5 September 2020 . live.
  41. 4 May 2019 . เพลงชาติเยเมน (วีดีโอเพลงชาติเก่าแก่ที่สุด) . เพลงชาติผ่านดาวเทียมซับไทย AnthemOnTVSatelliteSubThai . . 4 August 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200717111435/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v6GRCw-LR8Y . 17 July 2020 . live.
  42. https://news.detik.com/berita/d-399558/pembatasan-siaran-tv-antara-keberatan-dan-komitmen Pembatasan Siaran TV: Antara Keberatan dan Komitmen
  43. https://megapolitan.kompas.com/read/2008/07/18/23183224/nasional Hemat Listrik, TV Diminta Batasi Jam Siaran
  44. Web site: Which television services operate on Yom Kippur in Israel? - Israel Culture - The Jerusalem Post . 4 October 2022 . 17 September 2023 . thetorah.com.
  45. Web site: Siaran Sukan Olimpik 2012 di London Dalam Bentuk 3D | Sensasi Selebriti . 23 July 2012 . 16 July 2020 . 17 July 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200717090913/https://www.budiey.com/siaran-sukan-olimpik-2012-di-london-dalam-bentuk-3d/ . live .
  46. Web site: Is Philippine TV still Holy Week-friendly? . 17 November 2008 . 2020-07-16 . 2020-07-16 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200716055656/https://varsitarian.net/circle/20081117/is_philippine_tv_still_holy_week_friendly . live .