Credits

The BBC and other broadcasters speed-up the credits on feature films because they want to keep the audience. That's the only reason they do ECPs too. Some feature films will have 5 mins of credits which most people will not sit through (think how many people stand up and leave at the end of a film in the cinema).

For its own programmes the BBC ordered producers to get through the credits as quickly as possible. That's why EastEnders had more than a minute and a half of credits when it started and now has just over 30".

Most broadcasters would love to see the end of credits altogether - allowing them to crack on with their next junction and get into the next programme - keeping their audience with them. But producers will never allow that - afterall, they do love to see their names on the tele!

I wouldn't be surprised if they start running the end crdits across the bottom of the screen during the final scene just to gain abit more time to stick a comercial or promo in.

that's what 'some mothers do 'ave em' used to do, scroll the credits across the bottom of the screen

I think you're absolutely right. I'm surprised it hasn't happened already. It's commonplace in the States.

Some programmes on E! USA, superimpose the credits at the start of the programme (after the opening titles).

The crucial difference with the UK though is that generally speaking there is a commercial break after the credits and before the next programme - rather than going into the next programme.


Therefore, arguably it's too the broadcasters advantage that people leave the TV sets as soon as the credits begin - that way they're back in time to catch some of the ads!


I think also that's why US programmes have the credits at the end of the first part (before the ads) - and also why they are quite lengthy compared to what you'd see in the programmes. You watch the opening scenes, then as soon as the titles roll you go and do what you need to do - and then you're back in front of the TV to catch a few of the ads before the programme continues.

On most American networks, the credits are sped up and scrunched into a shape on the side or bottom.

http://northpine.com/broadcast/captures/il/week10pSa05212005_01refocr.jpghttp://northpine.com/broadcast/captures/ca/kabcnx1refocr_11pfr02072003.jpghttp://northpine.com/broadcast/captures/il/wfld9pSa04092005_01refocr.jpg
From Northpine

That is sooo old! They don't do that anymore.
http://img410.imageshack.us/img410/9261/image10151224tv9id8.jpg

ABC:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FZtpOdbFjk8

NBC:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fx9Y1ElgKXk

I bet ITV would get a kick out of this seeing their generic credits changed to suit another broacasters. This is from the ITV drama life begins. Notice that the granada production slide flashes for a split second at the start of the credits (not at the end). Includes a home and away promo for the recent season return.
http://watelevision.com/site/upfiles/7credits_lifebegins.wmv

A "show it as we've supplied it" clause in the license would be the first logical course of action!

Seeing the horror that is Australian pres makes me grateful for the way we do things, even if I do moan

Speaking of ITV, you never guess what I've found..
http://www.itv.com/uploads/files/1144858930353_0.03145124695158169.pdf

A PDF containing guidelines for their credits.

ITV would have given seven the permission to reformat the end credits. Infact they would have supplied the credit list allowing seven to do so.

If you thought that was bad, then chacek out the credits from sevens showing of finding nemo. They were too lazy to do a page by page credit and opted to scroll them at lightspeed!
http://watelevision.com/site/upfiles/7moviecredits.wmv

And you thought the BBC was gutsy. I still say the reformatting is much much better than squeezing them to one side, making the credits unreadable (which is what most UK broadcasters do to imported shows).

It depends..

BBC - They tend to make a request to the production company for the credits to scroll up on one side, to incorporate space for their ECP graphic. (They do that for Neighbours as well)

ITV - They ask the production company for it to be centred on their graphics so they can crop it for whatever their promoting.

Channel 4 - Same as the BBC

Five - Worst offender for squeezing credits:
http://www.tmf.ecwhost.com/extra/media/FIVE-FIVE-ECP-2006.rm

Example (E4's Skins)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rr_xBQbzovo

Uploading another example as I speak..
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2uP_7HqVKxU