BBC squashing all credits still more

You are missing the point. If I miss a programme originally being broadcast on BBC because I skipped through the promo on their ECP, then I will catch it 6 months later on UKTV. I don't care how UKTV do their ECPs - I already don't watch them....I delete the programme and move on to the next one I have on the disk!

See thats the biggest problem. In the US all channels now play the next episode teaser with the credits. They dont just play trailers to the death - they actually play something worth watching. Channel 7 in Australia did this first when they implemented accelerated flow in 2004. They were going to play promos like the US did but decided against it because;

1) they are irrelevant to the audience
2) wont hold onto viewers as well as the show itself or a next episode teaser.

They don't use split screen credits as a promotional tool. They use it for what it is - to make sure viewers wont change the channel when the credits roll. That is the purpose of an ECP - to stop viewer switchoff to credit sequences. everyone has been to the movies, the instant a credit appears onscreen, the instant people get up and leave. That's just the way it is.

So its funny that the BBC wont let programme makers put interesting things in the credits. Channel 7 push heavilly to have programme makers put "essential content" during credits. This is highly preferable because they wont have to waste time putting a trailer over the cerdits and can thus play the programme as is.

The only reason an ECP is used is to hold viewers and ensure they can catch the next show.

Here is a good example.
http://watelevision.com/site/upfiles/7acceleratedflow.wmv
Greys anatomy ends, straight away the next episode teaser starts while the production company logos are flashed full screen. The trailer continues with the credits re-written on the bottom of the screen. Since you watched greys anatomy, you'd be interested to see what happens next week (just as those who watch Dr Who, watch next ep teasers to the end). Once the trailer ends the next show starts up straight away. Since they moved the production company logos and played them before the credits there isnt anything to effect the flow of programming and hence why it is termed "accelerated flow".

For comparison, here is what five did with greys anatomy .
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6QYropDF-qQ
Do you think the ECP does its job? was it worth the bother to squeeze the credits? Code black was the biggest episode of the season and it came down to just a little voice over!
This is what seven did with code black!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hvuMY_A16r0

So I think what the BBC is doing is just going to annoy viewers. Why bother really. They could have a full screen lineup directly after the credits. They would also play promos to the death during the break anyway. If they are concerned about viewer switch off during the credits, the answer is to put something worth watching at the same time. To force BBC shows NOT to have interesting material play along with credits (like blooper reels) shows that they have no idea what they're doing.

I've just found out that the only exception for not using that ECP is Live programmes.



But this is ridiculous:

10 seconds???!!

http://www.petitiononline.com/bbccspt/petition.html

I petition I found in my travels.

Is Match of the Day "continuing sports coverage" type show? If it's applied to that then it's ridiculous - AFAIK ECPs have never been shown during MOTD and the horizontal credits have always been overlaid over highlights of all the matches - perfect sense.

Regardless of the duration, if the majority of people channel hop within 3 seconds of the credits, reducing credit length is pointless. The solution is either encroach advertising on the programme (ie that awfully designed BBC ONE Next caption) or make the credit sequence interesting - My Family being the perfect example.

What's more important to the BBC - having as many promotions as possible in a junction or holding onto their viewers up until the very last second of a programme and ensuring the following promo (either a trail/coming up/next caption) is sufficiently eye-catching to stop viewers reaching for the remote?

Asa

This is very well worded. Even if it is peeing in the wind.

Within half an hour of my signing, two more signatures followed. If only my GH petition attracted the same signup rate five years ago...

I will make my mind up when it happens but some of it is stupid!

The problem with EPGs is that they require someone to be active and look for what's on next. They're the equivalent of a new consumer good beeing put on the shelf in a supermarket and the maker not advertising because it's on the shelf for all to see.

I don't really understand the problem with these new rules, it's not as if they've gone fom nothing to this suddenly.... they've been credit squeezing and doing ECPs for years

Total signatures now 74. But some are a bit dubious; the latest signatory is a certain Dawn Swan (ie. a character in EastEnders!)

On the other hand, a certain Richard Russell has signed - is this the same guy who designed the 1980s electronic station clocks and is still involved with the annual BBC rebroadcast tests?

Yes UKTV are bad for doing that. But I channel-hop anyway as soon as a programme ends now.

They can stick in as many promos as they like, I won't see them

EDIT:
I was watching "Time Team" on Discovery Civilisations the other day and they completely ruined the last few minutes by playing out the end voice-over 3 times before the credits started rolling. I know it was only a mistake, but there was no apology Grrrrr!

It's funny now how the BBC have kind of gone full circle and now gone back to the style "ECPs" were designed to replace of shrinking credits in a box.


I'm sure it be said already, but it be far better if the credits took up the full width of the screen - the menu/logo bottom left is prett pointless.

I emailed the BBC and got a response back:



Response