BBC - Commissioning - Credit Positioning

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  • OU branding and end credit guidelines
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Credit Positioning

This section explains how End Credits should be delivered for all pre-recorded network programmes for BBC One, Two, Three, and Four.

These guidelines do not currently apply to Sport, Live Entertainment shows, or Children's programmes. CBeebies and CBBC guidelines are listed further down this guide and the special requirements apply for BBC Wales.

End Credits should run over visually interesting graphics or live action but the content must not be editorially critical to the integrity of the programme, or include speech, as they may be squeezed to accommodate promotional messages.

Programme trails, solicits or helplines edited by production into their end credits are no longer allowed and should wherever possible be accommodated within the programme.

Correct End Credits

End Credits should be delivered justified to the centre and may be either cards or a vertical scroller.

End Credits will be reduced to 60% of their original size when squeezed and cropped. Production are advised to test percentage reduction in an edit suite to ensure maximum readability.

N.B. All programmes return to full screen for the closing end board at the end of the credit squeeze process.

Incorrect Layout of End Credits

The following three examples are wrong:

End Credits must not be justified left, justified right, or be horizontal scrollers.

Duration of End Credits

End credits should be 25 to 30 seconds in duration across all genres and channels. The only exceptions are Sport and Live Entertainment shows where credits can be shorter and Children s programmes where they should be 20 seconds. Full credit durations.

The duration parameters mean we need to stick rigidly to our credit guidelines, in particular:

• Credits are solely to recognise significant creative contribution to the programme. No exceptions will be allowed.
• Under no circumstances should credits be given in return for payment, reduced fee, or benefit.

End credit promotion / still / double slide

This type of end credit allows a promotion or publicity still to be placed at the top of the screen.

Once the programme credits roll, the programme is reduced in size and cropped into a space in the bottom of the screen.

End credit caption

This type of end credit uses captions within coloured boxes that build during the end credit sequence.

Helpline Information

This type of end credit uses the caption template for helpline information where it cannot be incorporated editorially into the programme.

Grids - Vertical Scroller

End Credits should be typed within the orange space and justified to the centre.

Layout showing end credit grid after reduction in size and cropping.

Grids - Cards

End Credits should be typed within the orange space and justified to the centre.

Layout showing end credit grid after reduction in size and cropping.

Type Size

End Credits may be in any typeface but where possible the x-height should not be less than 20 pixels in SD and not less than 40 pixels in HD. This is to guarantee legibility after end credits are reduced in size.

CBeebies

All credits should be located within the graphics safe area, also known as the caption safe area.

CBeebies example.

CBBC

CBBC in-house example.

CBBC example with indie logos.