TV show end credit Trailers/Spoilers

[LeMarchand]

Why do so many programs feature a trailer that gives away most of the next episode's story? I end up muting the sound and turning away, as I'd rather not know what is going to happen next week. Do the channel's think that we'll forget the show is on next week, or that we'll have a heart attack if surprised by a plot development?

 

I'm also curious as to why people search out details of upcoming plots - most shows are designed so that future revelations are supposed to be a surprise, but a lot of people enjoy knowing everything that is going to happen in advance. I'm not knocking those people (as long as they keep their spoilers to themselves/where they can't be seen by casual browsers), but could someone explain the appeal? I can see that years ago folk may have felt that they were in an elite "in the know" club, but with the widespread use of the net that's not really the case these days...

[sddsddean]

I'm with you. I especially hated it on the double episodes of the recent Dr Who (like the one in the London blitz). I don't want the story spoilt and I am quite capable of waiting a week to find out what happens.

[acw]

I don't have a TV at the moment (but it's only been a few weeks) so I'm not sure which trailers in particular you're referring to.  I have, however, recently bought Spooks Season (yes, they call it Season not Series :( ) 2 on DVD.  At the end of each episode is a taster, but not a spoiler, for next week's "show". 

I don't think they think we'll forget what's on, but they want us to make a point of watching THEIR channel and not being drawn into another series on the other side.  3,4, and 5 rely on ratings figures to get their revenue, and the BBC has to justify the fee through viewing figures too.  A bit of a taster may make us say "oooh - gotta remember to watch that next week", and when it comes round it may encourage us to switch on to that, rather than something else. 

Also - just a thought - if I turn on at 8:55 for a show that's on a 9pm, I might catch the trailer for next week's edition of the 8pm show and might choose to watch that the following week, even if it's something i'd never seen before. 

I do wholeheartedly agree with the spoilers/knowing in advance comments though - seems utter madness to me!  I too don't mind if people want to ruin the surprise for themselves, so long as they don't spoil it for others.  That applies to books too!!

[LeMarchand]

I've recently been catching up on "Desperate Housewives", and have seen things (even when fast-forwarding through the credits) that I'd rather not know about in advance. I dread to think what they'll do with "Lost" (though their overly-arty trailer suggests they may be sensible with spoilers). "ReGenesis" on SciFi also has way too much information in the trailers.

I'm not convinced that it's to keep you from switching channels (or at least that it works in that regard) - surely if you enjoy a show you'll tune in next week, and if you don't a trailer won't convince you otherwise. or maybe i'm just not easily swayed!

[acw]

LeMarchand - my point was that if you're torn between two shows, knowing that there's a big explosion, or a kidnapping or something dramatic in one might sway you to stick with that one next week. 

Also, whilst most of US are smart enough etc to remember that a show exists week to week, other people maybe aren't.  TV viewers as a body are VERY fickle people - I'm sure it works otherwise they wouldn't keep doing them! :-)