Why Do The Credits At The End Of Tv Programmes Appear As Roman Numerals?

[Stargazer]

The year a documentary was made is often relevant and I always try and catch the date at the end (haven't got a pause on my tv). Sometimes it comes and goes so quickly that I am still working it out especially if it involves C L X V and I's. It is easier post millenium.

Also it is really annoying at the end of a cinema film when I am waiting to see the actors names the screen suddenly divides in half to that the credits are too squeezed together to be legible. Then it goes to full screen when it is too late (ie listing make up artists etc.)

[Buenchico]

There seems to be no definitive answer to this question (it might jut be nothing more than tradition) but, when I was a kid, my father always checked the dates of every film and programme shown on TV - and his explanation was the same as the 'Best Answer' here (which I'm also happy to go along with):
http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20070403033223AAHvgvH

[FredPuli43]

A very useful practice when films could spend years touring the States as first run showings in each town. It's rooted in publishing practice. In the early days of cinema books were always dated in Roman numerals. And, to an American crowd, it looked classy. Why else would Super Bowl be numbered in figures which would only make immediate sense to a classicist or ancient Roman ?

[Baldric]

Borrowed from Chris's link ^^^

///Why do movie credits use Roman numerals for the date of the movie?///

Because most of the programmes shown were made when the Romans were in charge!

(what did they ever do for us anyway eh?)

[sandyRoe]

I sometimes thought they were in Roman numerals so that people couldn't easily see hold old the programme was that they were watching.

[Canary42]

Apparently lots of people have complained about the split screening, but the greedy TV companies still insist on the scope it gives them to advertise.