How & Why

[davebro]

do TV stations program their adverts at exactly the same times? Is this in the nature of a cartel warranting investigation?

[douglas9401]

It happens in groups from the same provider but not neccessarily universally to try and stop channel surfing, thereby losing viewers.

[douglas9401]

And modern programmes are produced to a template, that's why you get a full two minute recap after ads.

At least the ones destined to advertise equity release and cheap funerals.

[barry1010]

I don't think it is anything to do with cartels but regulations which limits the amount of advertising that can be shown in an hour. These adverts should be spread equally throughout the hour, not in one big block or ten small blocks.
Broadcasters prefer their programmes to start on the hour or half hour so the 'rhythm' of adverts will be much the same across all commercial stations.

[dave50]

Yes and after every break , a recap of what we've just seen 5 minutes since, as if we have the memory of a gold fish.

[barry1010]

To be fair, dave, many of the viewers of Four In A Bed, Come Dine With Me etc do have the memory of goldfish :D

Those recaps and 'coming ups' drive me berserk. I record everything that I watch on commercial channels so I can skip through that and the ads.

[davebro]

The only anomaly is the snooker where ads come between frames so the timing is random.

[barry1010]

I first noticed the 'coming up' and recap before and after each ad break in a C4 renovation programme some years ago - could have a Sarah Beeny series.