Dead Air

Dead air refers to a period of silence during a broadcast—such as on radio or television—when no audio is transmitted. This can occur intentionally, like during a pause for effect, or unintentionally, due to technical issues or human error. In broadcasting, dead air can be disruptive and may cause viewers or listeners to lose engagement or assume a problem. Broadcasters typically monitor for dead air to ensure continuous, seamless transmission, and they have protocols to address and resume normal audio quickly when interruptions happen.