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The Madison Avenue Field GuideA field guide to marketing & advertising, by Brandon Mina

GlossaryCTV, Video & AudioPrime Access

CTV, Video & Audio

Prime Access

The TV daypart just before prime time, roughly 7–8 p.m. Eastern, often filled with syndicated game and entertainment shows.

By Brandon MinaCEO, BrandPilot AIUpdated November 2026

Short answer

Prime access is the television daypart just before prime time, roughly 7 to 8 p.m. Eastern. It is often filled with syndicated game shows and entertainment magazine programs aired by local stations. Advertisers use prime access to reach sizable early-evening audiences at a lower cost than prime-time network programming.