Radio listeners and television viewers are often told to “stay tuned (to this station)” for the next program or for breaking news reports. The used of “stay tuned” dates to the 1920s.
“Stay tuned” has had a broader meaning (outside of radio and television) of “stay alert” or “pay attention” to developments.
From the operation of dial-tuned radio receivers.
1.(idiomatic, informal) To not tune to another broadcast radio station or television channel.
Don’t touch that dial! Stay tuned for more Make-Believe Ballroom after a word from our sponsors.
2.(idiomatic, usually as imperative) Pay attention for future developments about the topic.
Having one’s radio or television tuned (in) to a particular station; esp. in imp. phr. stay tuned, go on listening to this station.
1956 Amer. Speech 31 258 Stay tuned for Roy Neal and his program.
1970 Wall St. Jrnl. 15 June 1/1, 13 million American homes are tuned in via ABC-TV to a previously taped episode of Mr Welk’s 15-year-old show.
I wish that, through the columns of your paper, you would invite the people of Harrison to tune in on us and to stay tuned in for the greatest radio party in history.
This development of radio speechmaking offers wonderful opportunities to politicians—if the audience will stay tuned in.
The first returns will be announced over KGW beginning about 8:30 o’clock. Those who stay tuned in to The Oregonian’s station will therefore be kept posted with accurate news hot off the griddle virtually until midnight.
WE DON’T KNOW WHAT SHE MEANS BUT IT SOUNDS INTERESTING! LET’S STAY TUNED IN!
Tell ‘em to tune in, an’ stay tuned in.
Famous last words: Stay tuned to this station.
New York, NY: W. Morrow & Co.
The world is doomed! Stay tuned to this station!
Stay tuned for the next depression; brought to you by the government.
Publisher: [Mishawaka, Ind., Freedom of the Press] 1973.
Stay tuned : a concise history af american broadcasting.
Publisher: Belmont, Calif. : Wadsworth, 1978.
Publisher: New York, N.Y. : Columbia, 1985.
Publisher: Tallahassee, Fla. : Naiad Press, 1993.
DES MOINES — Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton on Friday would not rule out running campaign advertisements that criticized her opponents by name, telling journalists to “stay tuned” to what her campaign had planned.