length of ads vs length of programme.

[showcatbenga]

What is it with the commercial breaks? At 'peak' viewing times the commercials are on for longer than the programme! I noted recently that after only 5 minutes of programme we were subjected to 7 minutes of adverts! This was repeated throughout the programme. I had suspected as much but just put it down to ads being an annoying interuption, but my friend got a sky+ box & we were sad enough to time it on a recorded programme. In the middle of the night there are as few as four adverts each break so whats with the overload of over 14 ads at peak times. Are there regulations on the times ratio & who do you complain to?

[cado]

open your own TV station. you could then view and also allow us to see shows without commercials interruptions.

[tigerlily11]

In the US they have them straight after the opening titles. They are doing it here now on some of the satalite stations.

[bimbo123456]

Adverts putting on more during peak viewing times. Can't imagine why. THEY'RE TRYING TO SELL STUFF!!!!! I get most irritated by Virgin station 20 on Freeview, they have five minutes and then an advert break. And I can't do my usual trick and video and fast forward cos I haven't figured out how to do it. Sometimes the ads are more well made than the programmes.

[Ethel]

That's why I stopped watching Desperate Housewives - I couldn't bear the adverts - even during the opening credits.

The authorities have recently said we can have more adverts. Ofcom is the responsible to complain to:
http://www.ofcom.org.uk/consult/condocs/rada/s ummary/

I now watch commercial tv either on Virgin tv on demand (advert free) or record the programme and skip the adverts

[tigerlily11]

Sorry slightly off track but I hate it when the crdits go on for about 5 minutes into the show as well. You can get almost half way through the first half of a show and the credits are stil rolling. Even after the first ad break.

[kempie]

Ofcom regulates the advertising on UK commercial TV stations thus:

ITV, Ch4 (S4C) & Five - The total amount of advertising in any one day must not exceed an average of seven minutes per hour of broadcasting. Because it is an average figure there is certain freedom to have increased breaks throughout the day balanced by shorter breaks at other times. However, between 6pm-11pm (and 7am-9am) the maximum break is limited to 8 minutes per hour.

Other channels under Ofcom control - The total amount of spot advertising in any one day must not exceed an average of nine minutes per hour (15 per cent) of broadcasting. This may be increased by a further three minutes per hour (5 per cent) devoted to teleshopping spots, but this additional 5 per cent must not be used for other forms of spot advertising.

http://www.wwww.radioauthority.org.uk/tv/ifi/c odes/advertising/rules/rules.pdf

It makes sense for channels to increase the length of breaks at peak times i.e. when most viewers are watching.

Ofcom are currently considering a change in the rules.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/1582288 /Ofcom-considers-increase-in-TV-adverts.html

[Rtaxron]

I quite agree, they seem to be getting longer, and when they have finished, we have the programmes sponsor taking up more time.

Even the BBC advertises their up and coming programmes to often and to long now.

I never buy the advertisers products that get on my nerves, especially that stupid guy with scraggy long hair who shouts, '' BOGOF '' trying to sell us double glazing.
I could mention many more, but it would take up to much time.

[cruella]

They seem to be foloowing in the footsteps of the USA.
I remember years ago while in the States, I got so confused as there was no warning when going straight into adverts. I though they were part of the programme I was watching.
Also, we have started to watch "Celebrity Mr and Mrs" and my Husband pointed out the adverts were all aimed at products for ladies. Good advertising strategies or not?

[pug100]

Ofcom are the ones in charge of advert durations. Adverts on satellite can be much longer than on terrestrial. Sky runs 2 Simpsons episodes in an hour long slot, each episode is no more than 23 mins so you watch 15 mins of ads and filler per hour on Sky

They recently discussed increasing the advert times according to this article.

http://blogs.guardian.co.uk/organgrinder/2007/ 09/ofcom_prepares_to_loosen_tvs_a.html

Buy a PVR and never watch an advert again.