C4, Adverts and US drama

OK - this is the situation. American hour-long programmes are only around 44 minutes long, split into 7 parts - with the first break immediately after the opening credits.


Now, C4 like to make these shows last an hour, split into four parts. Generally they show parts 1/2 then have a break, then part 3, then part 4/5 and then parts 6/7.

However, with Lost there have been complaints (on the likes of Chatterbox and to OFCOM) of short parts, due to C4 trying to only have ad breaks at points where they occur in the programme - meaning one part of around 8-10 minutes.

C4 then experimented with inserting breaks at points other than where they occur on the original US transmission - but this led to the annoying situation of the programme fading to black (on a cliffhanger), then one scene being played before C4 took their break.


So C4 have now tried a new strategy - taking the first break after (or in Lost's case, before) the opening credits.

Breaks here are nothing new to American audiences (or fans of ABC1) - but I've already read some complaints! What it does do though is ensure Lost is within the 20-minute rule, as the combined parts 2/3 and parts 4/5 form the internal parts of the programme!


So what do you think?

Personally, I think the existing method worked fine. I think C4 were right to insert breaks at the natural points - and found it incredibly annoying when they were inserted just one scene later / earlier.

Though I've championed ABC1's ad structure to some extent, I do think that if you forget about the complainers, the vast majority of viewers would rather have one internal part of the programme just 8-10 minutes long rather than having the first break immediately after the opening credits!

Basically reflecting your own views here. I beleive the current system works well. I find having to many breaks tends to destroy any story line which is developing.

I noticed the ad break after the titles of Lost on Sunday's repeat and in all fairness it really did add to the sense of anti climax, if thats the right word...

I really do hate the US system of 7 breaks, admittedly they do fly through quicker, but there again thats another problem completly, Where's the time to make a cuppa?

I personally think it should stay as it is, I think it works fine and a lot of US Friends (No Jokes!) actually like having a good intro to a programme.

Someone understood what I was on about then!


I guess though one silver lining amongst the cloud of ad breaks on US TV is that you actually get a decent opening titles sequence, rather than just a quick 15 second intro as many UK programmes have. I guess the idea is that people leave their sofas as soon as the titles begin - but they're so long that they are back in time to watch the ads!


I guess also the problem with regards to UK stations is that the likes of C4 try and stretch the programme out to 1hr 5 minutes, when really a 55 minute slot with just two ad breaks is sufficient - but means loss of ad revenue!

However, this does mean you get nice long trailers at 10pm on a Wednesday night like the More4 one tonight!

If an hour long program began on the hour, I think that the first break should be at 20 past, and another at 20 to

at exactly that point? slicing the parts in half?

Well, like it or not hour long programmes now have three internal commercial breaks - so do you prefer a short first part then longer second and third parts - or a longer first part but shorter parts later in the hour!

why not take the natural breaks and be done with it?!