[IslandNiles]

Yesterday I e-mailed ITV's duty office about the stupid 'coming next' banners on Coronation Street. Here is what I said:

"I have noticed over the last few weeks to my dismay, that you have started to display large 'Coming Next' banners during Coronation Street. I would like to make it clear that I find these in-programme advertising techniques distracting, irritating, and unnecessary. Furthermore, they serve only to discourage me from watching the next ITV programme, such is my strength of feeling towards this technique.

For a number of years now, ITV has been using such banners, in a format at the top of the screen, to advertise other programming. However, until a couple of weeks ago, Coronation Street and other dramas were fortunately not subjected to this treatment. Presumably, this is because common sense prevailed and it was perfectly clear that audiences did not want to have the storylines interrupted by such advertising techniques. However, the thoroughly detestable banners have not only returned and been applied to Coronation Street, but have also been redesigned so that they take up the bottom third of the screen. One episode last week had an advertising banner seconds after the commercial break, and another one around thirty seconds before the closing credits. This is totally unnecessary, particularly as ITV programmes are already routinely advertised during the commercial break and during Coronation Street's closing credits.

Furthermore, ITV (or at least, the Granada region) has been completely inconsistent in the implementation of this deplorable technique. Consequently, some episodes have the banner and others do not. As I mentioned above, one episode had two banners in a 30-minute programme. I am hoping that a decision will be made to permanently remove these banners from all future episodes of Coronation Street and other dramatic programmes given the extent to which they serve as an interruption. In an age of programme advertising within the commercial breaks, during the station idents via the continuity announcers and during the closing credits, and electronic programme guides for all Sky, Cable and Freeview customers, viewers are perfectly aware of ITV's schedule and certainly do not need to be reminded during a dramatic programme. As such, I urge you to reconsider the implementation of this technique.

I look forward to your reply."

And here's their pathetic response.
"Thank you for your email.

We find ourselves in a multi-channel broadcast world and welcome any such attempt at keeping our viewers advised of broadcast intentions. It is also a growing trend that more and more viewers ‘channel-hop’ across a plethora of broadcasters, taking a more relaxed attitude towards their viewing choices. With this in mind we need to try and maximise any potential audience for any given programme.

We have however made a note of your concerns, and your comments have been noted here at ITV.

Once again thank you for taking the time to write to us.

Regards
ITV Duty Office - SR"

So they've pretty much said that they are desperate for viewers and will use any attempt to advertise, even if it's in the middle of the programme.

[5 a day]

I had a similar reply. Idiots.

It was even worse last night; we had a banner for The Bill, then 30 seconds later the silly voiceover woman reminded us that The Bill was next (well, we do all have a goldfish memory, don't we?)

They'll be writing it into the script next...

Steve in pub: "Same again, Eileen?"
Eileen: "No thanks Steve, I've got to dash, The Bill's on next".

[summer_ste]

Originally Posted by pconno1

They'll be writing it into the script next...

Steve in pub: "Same again, Eileen?"
Eileen: "No thanks Steve, I've got to dash, The Bill's on next".

The scary thing is, I actually see that happening in the not too distant future.

[dd68]

Hate them!

[[]tter\/\/ard]

Doesn't bother me

[Kevnaldo]

I don't really notice them. There only 5 second notices!!

[CharmedLassie]

I caught Corrie last night for the first time in ages and was really annoyed! I mean, what happens if it's a scene where someone is sat at the bottom of the screen?! It's like the interpreter on sign language episodes- they get in the way!

[F.I.O.]

I hate them as well, people have managed for decades without them so why do they need them now

[Dancc]

It's a lot worse in the US. Over there there isn't just now/next type banners, but also banners for shows coming up later in the day or even later in the week and this usually happens at various intervals through the programme. We should count ourselves lucky.

[Pete Callan]

I can't stand those banners either. Surely after 20-odd years we know The Bill is on next!

Nice email, shame it wasn't more effective. I know if I'd wrote it'd just be a load of expletives.

[Hollo and Gonch]

I despise them.

What ITV fail to realise is that in this "multi-channel broadcast world" they are rapidly becoming like any old tacky, rubbish channel. They should be emphasising their differences from the poor quality channels elsewhere, not joining them.

What happened to the proud ITV of old, that considered itself to be the best? I bet the people who work on Corrie aren't too delighted with this development.

[Malik24]

I consider it an abruption to the programme content. Advert breaks are annoying but can be convenient to hop off and get some tea, check the food etc.
They don't disturb the content, these banners do and it lowers the integrity of ITV.

[Alex91]

I dislike them also. Grr.

[debraaa_x]

they dont bother me in the slightest
i didnt know they started doing them to be honest
don't see what all the fuss is about

[mr_scotty2hotty]

I have to admit i don't like them at the bottom of the screen so big - i don't mind the one's at the top of the screen cause they are not big and don't really cause a problem. I hope they take notice of viewers concerns!!

[dejavue]

It's strange that they need them considering 80% of homes have digital tv with a now/next function. (Many of which will come up as soon as the channel has changed.)

[IslandNiles]

Originally Posted by dejavue

It's strange that they need them considering 80% of homes have digital tv with a now/next function. (Many of which will come up as soon as the channel has changed.)

Yeah, I did make the point about EPGs in my e-mail, but alas they didn't take much notice.

[Agent F]

I personally find the banners to be tacky, intrusive and more than anything, distracting. I can tolerate, if not be happy, with them during entertainment shows such as The X Factor but I draw the line with dramas and soaps. Last night I completely missed the dialogue during the time the banner was on screen because I was so distracted, and when it finally went I lost track of what was going on. Not only is this an insult to the writers, but an insult to the viewers. It also proves itself to be completely pointless when the same show is advertised once again during the end credits.

I understand the need for ITV and other such channels to keep hold of the audience - but a) if the programming is good enough, then people will watch regardless of how often you advertise the show and b) if Mr. Grade is so insistent on broadcasters not treating their audiences with contempt, then why not ditch one of the many things that is doing just that.

[vegan]

I very much envy those viewers who do not mind or do not notice the 'next' banners, but I find them extremely intrusive, distracting and unnecessary.
I too wrote an email similar to the OPs but only received a standard 'thank you for your email, your comments will be made available for viewing by senior management' reply.

Rather than the situation improving it is actually gradually becoming much worse and I note that Thursday's Emmerdale actually had two 'next' banners after the break, spaced several minutes apart (for maximum distraction) informing the viewer as to what was coming up at both eight and Nine that evening.

As has been mentioned, Coronation Street now seems to regularly have the banner and I notice that they are even creeping into the occasional film (completely ruining the atmosphere for me).
All programmes nowadays have announcements at the end of the programme as to what is on next anyway.
In my opinion the inclusion of the banners during non-drama programmes is just about tolerable, but including them during peak time dramas is most certainly not.

It would appear that ITV really has no respect for it's flagship programmes to interrupt them in this way.
Viewers are not treated as though they have a modicum of intelligence, in the days of the EPG it is very easy to plan an evenings viewing. There are of course also television magazines. If I intend to switch channels then no amount of on screen nagging will prevent me from doing so.

The only way that ITV will even consider not showing the banners is if enough people complain, and sadly I do not really see that happening.

Unfortunately I believe this to be the small end of a very big wedge. With todays multi channel arena the station IDs and next banners are becoming more and more prevalent.
Satellite television is awash with on screen clutter showing the station name, what you are watching(!), what is on next and even what is coming in a few days time. Not to mention the ubiquitous red dot.
With the analogue switch off I foresee even more on screen clutter displayed far more regularly and what may not be distracting to some viewers now, may very well be later when TV companies take the lack of complaints as a green light to plaster adverts all over the screen. (Some other countries have so much extraneous information on the screen that the actual programme virtually takes second place).

With televisions becoming bigger, flatter and with high definition I would have thought that it would make sense to improve the viewing experience by having less clutter on screen. Unless of course viewers want to see station IDs, next banners and other on screen clutter in glorious high definition of course.

Naturally this is all my opinion, but I know of many people who find the next banners annoying. I would imagine though that most viewers who do find them so simply can't be bothered to complain or consider it would do no good anyway.

In closing I would just say that I consider the banners to be an insult to the intelligence of the viewer and an insult to the programme makers themselves.

[lolly-licker]

Originally Posted by pconno1

I had a similar reply. Idiots.

It was even worse last night; we had a banner for The Bill, then 30 seconds later the silly voiceover woman reminded us that The Bill was next (well, we do all have a goldfish memory, don't we?)

They'll be writing it into the script next...

Steve in pub: "Same again, Eileen?"
Eileen: "No thanks Steve, I've got to dash, The Bill's on next".

hahahahaha! LMAO!

hang on-in emmerdale, Betty once said something about how she likes watching the Bill!

[RosamundStreet]

I hate them. Although it is a standard thing in Oz and the US. I once watched a Home and Away on Youtube and a huge banner was in the middle if the screen advertising a programme and then the lottery resuklts were in it fro about a minute! Thye are putting me off watching TV never mind persuading me to watch it.

[Pink5]

I hate these ridiculous coming up banners, they take up the bottom third of the screen and can be very distracting. All they serve to do is put me off watching the next programme.

And they'll come a point where they'll end up totally blocking something out eg. if a character is sitting down or something. And a few years from now I can see them being even bigger, knowing ITV and how desperate they are for ratings, Corrie will soon be relegated to a small box in the corner for 2 minutes while we have the listings for the next two hours taking up two thirds of the screen!

But when you're getting two of these banners in the space of one half hour programme it really is beyond ridicule.

They're big, intrusive, distracting and annoying. They completely ruin the viewing experience for me and it's already ruined enough at the moment by Antony Cotton without these idiotic banners popping up everywhere.

Until now Corrie has always been free of this kind of stuff or they've only used a small banner at the top of the screen which was tolerable but these new bigger banners really take the biscuit.

Using two in one half hour and then still telling us whats coming up over the end credits is enough to piss anyone off. At the end of the day you're only going to watch whatever you want to watch, what you like etc so it makes no difference them begging you to tune into the next programme.

If you want to watch something on the other side then you will! And 9 times out of 10 with ITV that's usually the scenario anyway, people tune in for Corra and one or two other shows and then abandon them again because they've got sod all else worth watching. (Not that Corrie is all that watchable at the moment anyway, thanks to AC!)

[Bid-tv]

Do you people have nothing better to do with your lives than complain about something so insignificant? It's funny because you're the same people who moan when others complain about Dawn's scenes in EE being 'distressing'.

[Gambit_is_ace]

Originally Posted by Bid-tv

Do you people have nothing better to do with your lives than complain about something so insignificant? It's funny because you're the same people who moan when others complain about Dawn's scenes in EE being 'distressing'.

run like the wind! they will hunt you down for making that assumption!

[Malik24]

Originally Posted by Bid-tv

Do you people have nothing better to do with your lives than complain about something so insignificant? It's funny because you're the same people who moan when others complain about Dawn's scenes in EE being 'distressing'.

From an acorn a tree grows.