How do shows decide who will be in the opening credits?

Question

sometimes charcters that are in every show are not in the opening credits.

What makes it so some people are in and some are out?

Answer 1

I think it is eventually decided by contracts, but in general the "lead" characters are in the opening credits as well as any guest stars or new characters who are critical to that particular episode

Answer 2

Well, I know that on y&r they have a couple of different opening credits and they just rotate them cuz there are so many characters

Answer 3

usually only actors that are On Contract are on the Opening

Contract players are guaranteed a certain number of days work and salary- vacation time etc

"Recurring " actors usually are not--

Recurring means they only get Paid for When they work and no work  load guaranteed

the order is made by the Head Producer

( with probably some input from the actor's agent/contract)

Some soaps like GH don't change their opening often enough to reflect the characters actually on the show-