off the air

Idioms  

1. Not being broadcast, as in Once they knew they were off the air, the panelists burst out laughing. This idiom, along with the antonym on the air (“being broadcast”), dates from the 1920s, air being considered a medium for radio-wave transmission.

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Example Sentences

“Malcolm in the Middle: Life’s Still Unfair” arrives nearly 20 years after the original went off the air.

From Los Angeles Times

A CBS News segment yanked off the air at the last minute by editor-in-chief Bari Weiss was apparently showcased in Canada, with its content quickly spreading online.

From Salon

Africa 24, founded by Cameroon national Constant Nemale and covering news across the continent, is the first international media to be taken off the air by the authorities.

From Barron's

Walt Disney Co. leaders yanked Kimmel off the air Sept. 17, hours after Carr suggested that Disney-owned ABC should punish the late-night comedian for his remarks — or face FCC scrutiny.

From Los Angeles Times

As a Reiner fan who wasn’t even born until after Meathead was off the air, I hope he knew how many of us wouldn’t rank it at the top, or even the top five, of his overall accomplishments.

From Los Angeles Times