TV Ad breaks

[SeaJayPea]

Does anybody know whether there is an agreement between all commercial TV stations as to the time of their ad breaks? It just seems that when one goes to one and you flip through the others they're all showing them. Or is it just that there are so many breaks these days?

Thanks

[scotman]

I have noticed that they seem very well synchronised on the Freeview channels.

[trt]

I have noticed that too seajay and scotman , and it seems that its every 12/15 minutes at every quarter on the hour.
The worst is Channels Dave, Watch and Gold which sometimes have breaks for 6/8 minutes.

I also have a moan about BBC as they don't have commercial breaks as such but, spend lots of time advertising programmes coming soon or in the future.

[hc4361]

I watch no independent channel live these days - I record what I want to watch and skip through the adverts. Some half hour programmes have only 18 minutes of fresh content.

[tonymclark]

Most channels run their programmes on the hour or half-hour and since they usually have four breaks in that hour, they are going to be pretty much at the same time as the programme makers time their programmes to have breaks something like every 12 minutes.

[webbo3]

Ive noticed this as well, but i also want to know why adverts are MUCH louder than the programme that you are watching.



Dave.

[notasyoungasiwas]

I'm like hc4361. I record most things and then just whizz through the adverts. They are most definitely all played at the same time - crafty beggars !!!

[SeaJayPea]

Yes, Scotman, I'm talking about Freeview as well. I'm glad I'm not the only one who's noticed it. Will have to update the recorder. Thanks for your responses.

[daisya]

Same as hc and notsoyoung, much prefer to record progs on sky+ then whiz through them, cuts time down too with skipping the ads. Only drawback is that when you watch a currently transmitted problem you go to run it on only to realise you can't LOL.

[Messalina]

Webbo3, I seem to remember some "spokesperson" telling us that the ads weren't louder than the programmes, it was only our perception that made us think they were.

[douglas9401]

I remember that too Messalina. Now if that "spokesman" would like to sit on my couch while we wait for the break on Sky Atlantic to blare the Blackberry advert we can witness it together.

[notasyoungasiwas]

I've done that too daisya !!!