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Quick Look-up to check the durations for your programme
Enter the channel and slot duration of your programme (you may also need to enter the genre).
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Programme Durations
Your commissioning documentation will specify a slot duration for the programme.
The physical programme you deliver must conform to the actual duration requirements shown below.
Slot Duration: the length of the slot in which your programme transmits e.g. for Watchdog this will normally be 30 mins (1930-2000)
Actual Duration: the running time at which you should deliver your programme
The actual duration is less than the slot duration to allow for promotions and previews e.g. for Watchdog this would be one minute less than the slot duration (29 mins).
BBC THREE: durations changed for deliveries after 1st January 2008. All programmes will be for these new durations. Independent producers should contact their BBC Business Affairs Manager.
| Channel |
Slot Duration |
Actual Duration should be: |
BBC ONE Peaktime,
BBC TWO,
(excluding CBeebies and CBBC)
BBC FOUR
BBC ONE/TWO Scotland,
BBC ONE/TWO N. Ireland,
BBC ONE/TWO Wales,
BBC 2W
|
All Slots |
1 minute less
than slot duration |
| BBC THREE |
15 minutes |
14 minutes |
| 30 minutes |
28 minutes 30 seconds |
| 45 minutes |
43 minutes |
| 60 minutes |
57 minutes |
| Other slots |
To be advised |
| BBC ONE Daytime |
15 minutes |
13 minutes |
| 30 minutes |
27 minutes 30 seconds |
| 45 minutes |
43 minutes 30 seconds |
| 60 minutes |
57 minutes |
| Other slots |
To be advised |
| CBeebies and CBBC |
10 minutes |
10 minutes |
| 15 minutes |
14 minutes |
| 20 minutes |
19 minutes |
| 30 minutes |
28 minutes |
| 45 minutes |
44 minutes |
| 60 minutes |
58 minutes |
Notes:
The actual durations quoted include opening and closing titles
Occasionally the actual duration of your programme may need to vary from the guidelines above - in this case your commissioning executive or CBBC on-air will advise you of the actual duration to which you should deliver.
Any variation to the agreed duration must be formally agreed (by writing or email) as specified here.
The reduced durations for BBC THREE programmes are to allow for BBC THREE news 60 Seconds which will play directly after programmes
 Open University slot and actual durations should be as detailed for the transmitting channel in the table above
Why This is Important
Programme tapes must be delivered at the correct duration - this is essential in order to ensure that schedules can be made to work to time and that key juntions are met (e.g. with live News).
Programmes delivered which are not at the correct duration will be returned to the programme department or company for re-editing to the correct length and will require a new Transmission review and copies to be re-run at production expense.
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Opening Credit Durations
Opening credit sequences for programmes for BBC THREE must not exceed 10 seconds. This should be taken into account when commissioning any music or graphic intended to accompany them:
End Credit Durations
End credit sequences must not exceed the following durations, which should be taken into account when commissioning any music or graphic intended to accompany them:
| Channel
| Slot durations
| Maximum credit duration
|
BBC ONE,
BBC TWO,
BBC THREE,
BBC FOUR,
BBC Scotland,
BBC N. Ireland |
All Durations |
25 to 30 seconds |
| BBC Wales (except Drama) |
All Durations |
15 seconds |
| BBC Wales (Drama) |
All Durations |
30 seconds |
| CBeebies, CBBC Channel |
All Durations |
20 seconds |
End Credit durations for programmes such as daily quizzes, magazines and continuing sports coverage should not exceed 10 seconds.
They may be longer for first and last editions provided they do not exceed the timings listed. This must be agreed in advance with the Commissioning Editor.
These durations are not targets to be achieved, but maxima which must not be exceeded. There may be occasions when the credits can be shorter, bearing in mind the need to ensure credits are fully legible (see Readability). There may even be occasions when credits are not necessary.
Open University end credit durations should be as detailed for the transmitting channel in the table above
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