While prime time, the slot that sees maximum viewership, for GECs used to be from 7 pm to 11 pm in the pre-COVID-19 days, it has taken on a new meaning now. Since almost everyone is homebound, the small screen enjoys good viewership throughout the day, which means anytime is prime time. Many slot machines on the casino floor were turned off to keep players a safe distance apart in July at Ocean Casino Resort. And ballrooms filled with holiday parties. Prime time in any self.

Denver Broncos fans were pleased to learn this week that the NFL has flexed the team’s Week 12 game against the Kansas City Chiefs to Sunday Night Football. The New England Patriots and New York Jets, who were scheduled to play in prime time, were moved to an afternoon time slot so the pivotal AFC West showdown could be seen by a national television audience.

Every offseason, the NFL schedules Sunday Night Football showdowns for each week of the upcoming season. Since 2014, the NFL has had a policy that any game between Weeks 5-17 can be flexed in (or out) of the Sunday Night Football slot on NBC.

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So if your team is scheduled to play on SNF sometime between Week 5 and Week 17, there’s a chance that they could be moved out of the prime time slot. And if your team does not have a SNF game scheduled, there is a chance that they could be flexed into one.

Here’s what the league says on their official website:

Prime

Flexible scheduling ensured quality matchups on Sunday night in those weeks and gave surprise teams a chance to play their way onto primetime. The NBC Sunday night time slot for “flex” weeks lists the game tentatively scheduled for Sunday night. Only Sunday afternoon games are eligible to be moved to Sunday night, in which case the tentatively scheduled Sunday night game will be moved to an afternoon start time. Flexible scheduling will not be applied to games airing on Thursday, Saturday or Monday nights.

Teams are given a 12-day notice when they are going to be flexed into (or out of) a Sunday night game. Denver has four SNF games in 2016.


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not ready for prime time

Not ready to be exposed to a wider or larger audience. I guess the rookie isn't ready for prime time yet—he's had three turnovers already.No, the app isn't ready for prime time quite yet—the development team is still dealing with some bugs.

prime time

1. noun In TV broadcasting, the time slot from 7 to 11 PM, when viewership is typically at its highest. Is Grey's Anatomy the longest-running medical drama that has aired in prime time?If the network doesn't air that show in prime time, it will probably be canceled sooner than later.
2. noun Exposure to a wider or larger audience. I guess the rookie isn't ready for prime time yet—he's had three turnovers already.OK, the app is finally ready for prime time—the development team has fixed all those bugs.
3. noun A favorable or ideal time for some action or undertaking. With house prices skyrocketing in our neighborhood, I think it's prime time for us to sell.The dentist said that now is prime time for Beth to get her wisdom teeth pulled, before they start causing her pain.
4. adjective Describing a TV program broadcast between 7 and 11 PM. Typically hyphenated if used before a noun. Is Grey's Anatomy the longest-running prime-time medical drama?What is your favorite prime time TV show?

ready for prime time

Ready to be exposed to a wider or larger audience. Do you really think that rookie was ready for prime time? He's had three turnovers already.OK, the app is finally ready for prime time—the development team has fixed all those bugs.
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2015 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.
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