Best time to send press release: updated for 2026 (UK). 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 in 2026
- 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.
Why the best time to send a press release matters
Journalists receive large numbers of emails every day. A release that arrives when a reporter is planning the day’s stories has a far better chance of being read than one that lands during a deadline rush or on a quiet holiday week. Timing will not rescue a weak story, but it can make a good one much more effective.
Best time to send a press release by media type
- National daily news — early morning, so the story can be considered at morning planning meetings.
- Online news sites — weekday mornings, with follow-up comment available throughout the day.
- Weekly trade titles — check each title’s press day and send a few days before.
- Monthly magazines — months ahead, as features are planned well before publication.
- Regional press — early in the week, giving time for local photography and interviews.
Plan around big news moments
Check the news diary before you choose a date. Major events such as a UK Budget, elections, big sporting finals or royal occasions dominate coverage. Unless your story is linked to them, it is usually better to move your release.
Checklist before you press send
- Is the news genuinely new and relevant to the journalists on your list?
- Is a spokesperson available for interviews that day?
- Are images and supporting facts ready to share?
- Have you personalised the email for each journalist?
FAQs
Is there one perfect time for every press release?
No. The best time to send a press release depends on the outlets you are targeting and their deadlines. Use these guidelines as a starting point and adjust based on results.
Should I send releases at the weekend?
Usually not, although some weekend and Sunday titles plan earlier in the week. Our guide on how to write a press release covers the content side. The CIPR also publishes guidance on media relations best practice.