Definition of off the air in English English dictionary
(Telekom) 1. In radio communications systems, pertaining to a radio station or television station that is completely shut down, i.e. that is not transmitting any signal, not even an un-modulated carrier wave. Other terms in this context include "dark" or "silent", though those terms were typically used for a station that has left the air for an extended period of time, or permanently; while "off-the-air" is generally used for a brief period of time, or for a station that has recently stopped broadcasting.2. In a radio station, pertaining to a particular source of modulation, such as a specific microphone, that is disconnected, i.e. is no longer capable of modulating the carrier