Common event embargo patterns
- Keynote reveal: Embargo lifts the moment the exec says the words on stage. Convert to every zone the stream reaches.
- Festival lineup: Lifts at a set moment (often 10:00 in the festival's local timezone) so global fans see it at once.
- Conference schedule: Speakers and sessions embargoed until the site update goes live. Give press 48 hours notice.
- Award nominations: Lifts at the ceremony announcement, exact moment scripted.
Anchor to one timezone
Pick the event's home timezone as the anchor. Everything else is converted from there. This avoids the classic "the keynote is at 10:00 but the embargo is at 09:59" fencepost error.
Countdown pages help
For a big lineup or launch, spin up a shareable countdown page and drop the link in the press email. Journalists in every zone see their local time without doing the math.
The template line
Embargo lifts when the announcement is made on stage. Expected announcement time: • 10:15 CET, Thursday 5 November 2026 • 09:15 GMT, Thursday 5 November 2026 • 04:15 ET, Thursday 5 November 2026
If the on-stage timing may move, make the announcement itself the agreed trigger. Treat the clock time as an estimate, not the embargo.