The best time to send a UK press release is Tuesday to Thursday between 9am and 10am UK time, when journalists are starting their day but before their main commissioning decisions. Avoid Monday mornings (full inboxes from weekend), Friday afternoons (no reporting cycle), and summer (August is dead), Christmas week, and Easter week.
UK press release timing best practice
- Best days: Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday.
- Best time: 9am-10am UK time.
- Avoid: Monday morning (inbox chaos).
- Avoid: Friday afternoon (no reporting cycle).
- Avoid: mid-August UK parliament recess.
- Avoid: Christmas week through early January.
- Avoid: Easter week.
Sector-specific timing
- Financial services: avoid Budget days unless announcement is Budget-related.
- Consumer lifestyle: Sunday magazines have Friday/Monday deadlines.
- B2B trade: Tuesday-Wednesday strongest.
- Broadcast: early morning (6am-9am) for day’s news cycle.