mainstream media

American  

[meyn-streem mee-dee-uh] / ˈmeɪnˌstrim ˈmi di ə /

noun

(usually used with a plural verb)

1. the traditional forms of mass media, as television, radio, magazines, and newspapers, as opposed to online means of mass communication. MSM

---

Etymology

Origin of mainstream media

First recorded in 1975–80

Example Sentences

"We're going to make sure he's across all mainstream media," Hearn told the Times, external.

From BBC • Apr. 30, 2026

“Evie started for women who didn’t feel represented by the mainstream media, for women who love beauty, romance, aspiration,” said Hugoboom, 34.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 18, 2026

It’s easy to understand how some members of the mainstream media, including MS NOW’s Joe Scarborough, enthusiastically declared that “evangelical leaders” had been “forced or shocked” to “speak out against it.”

From Salon • Feb. 11, 2026

Mr Poirson-Atlan told the court on Tuesday that he was a "satirist" who had just wished to put forward "a point of view different to that of the mainstream media".

From BBC • Oct. 28, 2025

It is not widely debated in the mainstream media or, for that matter, in civil rights organizations.

From "The New Jim Crow" by Michelle Alexander