BBC - Commissioning - Programme duration

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Programme duration

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: Has reduced durations to allow for BBC THREE news 60 Seconds which will play directly after programmes.

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 with your BBC Commissioning Editor.  

 

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 junctions are met (e.g. with live News).

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 maximum  durations 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.