Dictionary definition of “shoulder peak”

shoulder peak

n. a period that precedes or follows regular peaks of heavy use or service, such as in television viewing or electricity consumption. Also shoulder. Subjects: English, Media, Television, Jargon

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Citations: 1976 Herald-Times-Reporter (Manitowoc-Two Rivers, Wis.) (Feb. 27) “Electricity Rates Must Be Stabilized”: Different rates would be charged electric power users during “super peak hours,” “shoulder peak hours,” and “off peak hours.” [1988 Carolyn McGuire Chicago Tribune (Aug. 7) “Cycling Canada” p. 19: The fares, good for round trip or one-way, are prices for basic, shoulder, peak and holiday (Christmas). Certain restrictions apply.] 1989 PR Newswire (Mar. 15) “Time-Of-Use Rate Plan For Residential Customers Filed”: Niagara Mohawk Power Corporation…Proposed rate periods:…On Peak: 5:01 p.m. to 8 p.m., weekdays. Shoulder Peak: 9:01 a.m. to 5 p.m., weekdays. 1991 Ian Tinker Media Week (20) (June 28) “Vimto Expands Into Holiday Market”: Shoulder peak/early peak—returning from the day out and preparing to go out for the evening. This segment also covers the popular soaps. 1999 Guardian (U.K.) (July 12) “Was it worth it?” p. 6: With better forward-planning and more experimentation, those early successes can perhaps be consolidated with a wider range of programmes into “shoulder peak” as 11 o’clock is now fashionably known. 2004 Oliver Bennet Independent (U.K.) (June 28) “Never judge a book by its clubbers”: The show aired at 5pm on a Wednesday, a daytime slot called “shoulder peak” in TV jargon.

Posted 29 Jul 04 | Permalink | Tell a Friend