superstation: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Media, Business, Informal
Quick answer
What does “superstation” mean?
A television station that is broadcast to a very large geographical area via cable or satellite networks, beyond its original local or regional market.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A television station that is broadcast to a very large geographical area via cable or satellite networks, beyond its original local or regional market.
By metaphorical extension, can refer to any entity or facility that is exceptionally large, powerful, or influential within its field, such as a major radio station, a key transport hub, or a dominant website.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The term originated in and is predominantly used in American media contexts. In British English, it's a technical/media borrowing with no direct native equivalent, though 'national channel' or 'cable network' might describe similar concepts.
Connotations
US: Strong commercial/media industry connotations. UK: Recognized but carries an American cultural/technical import flavour.
Frequency
Much more frequent in American English. Rare in everyday British English outside of media industry discussions or references to US television.
Grammar
How to Use “superstation” in a Sentence
The [TV station/cable channel] became a superstation.We watched the game on a superstation.to broadcast via a superstationVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “superstation” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The regulator would not permit the channel to superstation its signal across Europe.
American English
- The network sought to superstation its flagship news broadcast.
adjective
British English
- The superstation model changed the economics of television sport.
American English
- We studied the impact of superstation distribution on local advertising.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used in media industry reports, mergers & acquisitions, and discussions of broadcast distribution.
Academic
Used in media studies, communications history, and cultural studies focusing on pre-internet television.
Everyday
Used by older generations or television enthusiasts discussing cable TV history or specific channels like TBS or WGN.
Technical
Used in telecommunications, broadcasting engineering, and cable system documentation to denote a station with wide-area satellite-fed distribution.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “superstation”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “superstation”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “superstation”
- Using it to refer to any popular TV channel (e.g., BBC One is not a superstation).
- Spelling as two words: 'super station'.
- Confusing it with 'superstore'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is less common now than in the 1980s-1990s. The rise of dedicated national cable networks and streaming has made the original 'superstation' model somewhat obsolete, though the term persists for historical and specific corporate references.
A traditional network (e.g., NBC) produces and schedules programming for a chain of local affiliate stations. A superstation was originally a single, powerful local station (e.g., WTBS in Atlanta) whose signal was redistributed by satellite to cable companies nationwide, often keeping its local branding and ads.
Metaphorically, yes. While the term was coined for TV, it is sometimes applied to powerful, widely syndicated radio stations, though 'clear-channel station' or 'major syndicator' are more precise radio terms.
Yes. In the US, WTBS (Atlanta, later just TBS), WGN (Chicago), and WOR/WWOR (New York) were the most famous early superstations. TBS is the most iconic example.
A television station that is broadcast to a very large geographical area via cable or satellite networks, beyond its original local or regional market.
Superstation is usually media, business, informal in register.
Superstation: in British English it is pronounced /ˈsuːpəˌsteɪʃən/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈsuːpərˌsteɪʃən/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “None commonly associated.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a SUPER-sized teleVISION STATION that sends its signal SUPER far, like Superman flying across the country.
Conceptual Metaphor
A CENTRAL HUB broadcasting to a SPOKE-AND-WHEEL network of cable systems.
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary defining characteristic of a television superstation?