From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Sign-on
Sign-on
startup)
Sign-on (or startup is the term used to describe the be- military, national symbols, or other nationalistic
ginning of operations for a radio or television station, imagery, particularly on state owned broadcasters.
generally at the start of each day. It is the opposite to a 5. Ownership information about the station, and a list
sign-off (or closedown) which generally takes place at the of related organizations.
end of the day. 6. A "good morning" greeting to viewers or listeners.
7. Contact information, such as street and mailing
Overview addresses, telephone number, email, and website
details.
Sign-ons, like sign-offs, vary from country to country, 8. A prayer or other religious acknowledgement,
from station to station, and from time to time, however particularly in countries with a state religion, in
most follow a similar general pattern. Many stations fol- theocracies, and on religious broadcasters. For
low the reverse process to their sign-off sequence at the example sign-ons in Cambodia, Thailand, and
close of the day. It is common for sign-ons to be followed Vietnam typically include a quote from Buddha, and
by a network’s early morning newscast, or their morning those in Indonesia and Malaysia generally include an
or breakfast show. Islamic reading from the Quran, a Muslim quote, or a
While both sign-ons and sign-offs have become less call for salah.
common with the increasing prevalence of twenty-four 9. A program guide for the upcoming programs, or the
hour a day, seven day a week broadcasting, they are still day’s programs.
conducted by a number of stations around the world. 10. A disclaimer that station programming is taped,
For broadcasters that do still close for a period each day, aired live, or originates from a television or radio
this station close is most often during the early hours network.
of the morning, with the daily sign-on typically occur- 11. Another disclaimer that programs are for personal
ring between 5:00 am and 7:00 am. However, in some use only (sometimes with information on copyright
countries with more limited broadcast coverage, such as restrictions), and a statement that businesses cannot
North Korea, sign-on may be as late as 5:00 pm. A partic- profit from showing them by applying a cover
ular type of AM radio station known as daytimers usual- charge for viewing.
ly only operate during daytime hours, and will therefore 12. A statement of commitment to quality; this may be
run a sign-on sequence each day. in the form of a recognized standard, such as the
United States National Association of Broadcasters’
Sign-on sequence "Seal of Good Practice".
13. A station identification, including some or all of the
The sign-on sequence may include some or all of the fol- television channel, AM or FM frequency, call sign,
lowing stages, but not necessarily in this order: branding, and a clock ident.
1. For stations that cut-off their signal during off- 14. Generally a station jingle or slogan will be played,
broadcast hours, a test pattern and/or 1000 Hz tone accompanied on television with video clips featuring
may be broadcast fifteen to twenty minutes before station programming or personalities.
the actual sign-on. While most of these sign-off steps are done as a service to
2. A signal to turn on remote transmitters may be the public, or for advertising reasons, some of them may
played—this is usually a series of touch tones. be required by the government of the country.
3. Technical information provided, such as the call
sign, transmitter power, translators used,
transmitter locations, and studio/transmitter links See also
(STL). • Off-the-air
4. On television stations, a video and/or photo montage • Dark (broadcasting)
set to the national anthem or another patriotic piece
of music may be played; on radio stations this would
just consist of the music, usually the national
External links
anthem. The accompanying television video usually • TV-Ark
involves images of the national flag, head of state, • TV-Signoffs.com - J. Alan Wall’s site featuring sign-
offs and sign-ons of United States television stations
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From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Sign-on
• The Television Close Down And Start Up Blog - A
blog devoted to sign-ons and sign-offs from around
the world
Retrieved from "http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Sign-on&oldid=458441714"
Categories:
• Television terminology
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