Question about TV and commercials in Germany?

Question

In the United States, during a one hour program there is roughly 43 minutes of actual program footage and 17 minutes of commercials. Usually it is divided up by a 4-5 minute commercial break every 7-10 minutes. Does German TV have the same amount of commercials as TV in the U.S.? Whether they do or do not, what is the break structure like there? How many minutes of program do they show until the station shows commercials? And how long do the commercials last? Also, in the U.S. virtually every network schedules there programs on the :00 or :30 of the hour. Is it the same in Germany? If not, wouldn't it be hard for the station to schedule shows with "weird" start and end times?

Answer 1

Actually I have not counted the commercials but they do have them for sure, it is their scheduling of shows that is really the big difference than us.

We start our main shows for example at 8pm 9pm where they often will be 8:15 or 9:15 instead. Also they are a lot more explicit on some stations in the evening so be careful if you have kids with you.

I am not sure if they have as many as we do or not but they definitely have them!! Those are the things I really noted there, plus the cost is a lot less expensive than it is for us too!

Answer 2

It depends on the show.

King of Quenns for example has one commercial break (correct me if i am wrong).

Soccer matches aren't interrupted with commercials (like NFL games).

They discovered a new habit here: The show one single commercial with a not at the bottom "Just one clip and we'll continue" - these are the best ones because i can easily remember which product i should avoid during my next shopping trip - i HATE THAT!!

Cheers,

Sirius

Answer 3

Commercial breaks in Germany are limited on (if I'm not wrong) 12 minutes per hour in not more than two hourly breaks with 8 minutes maximum in one, so it's usualy two breaks of about 5-6 minutes per hour. Exceptions are major sport events like soccer matches, when channels are allowed to show longer breaks (within half-time break) and special shows, that consist of advertisement, like wheel of fortune or teleshopping shows; those must be labeled as "Dauerwerbesendung" = permanent advertisement broadcast. Other kinds of product placement in shows are rather restricted. State channels don't show commercials after 8 pm.

Private channels try to synchronize their breaks in the evening hours to make zapping rather senseless.

Especially in TV programms for kids, it must be shown clearly, when a commercial break starts and ends.

Shows and movies are tried to be started at a full quarter of an hour. Evening programm starts at 8.15 pm, which is the only really fix date each day (except at the german-french state channel arte, which starts 8.45). 10.15 pm is also popular, but might not be used, if the movie or show before has overlength. But something starting at another time, like... let's say, 4.25 pm, is not too unusual too. A "weird" time would be one not ending on 0 or 5. About the rest, it's kind of flexible. It only would be hard for a station, if the start or end of a programm overlaps with a very popular one at another channel.

Greets from Germany

Answer 4

Jerry has got it right. Nothing to add.

Answer 5

Prime time starts at 8:15 (20:15) and the commercials always come at different intervals, sometimes you get a commercial 10 minutes into the show and sometimes 45 minutes, they break for commercials about 3 - 4 times depending on whats on. I don't know the exact length of the commercials, but it's enough time to go to the bathroom, make a cup of coffee or have a smoke. Just before the end of a program, they'll go to commercial (this one is relatively short) and then show the last 3 minutes of the program or role the credits. speaking of credits...they only show a very short version, actors and director mostly. As far as other programs other than prime time...some programs start at 10 minutes past the hour, 20 past the hour or 15 before the hour. Station like ARD and ZDF don't have commercials (we all pay television/radio tax - about 210 Euro per year for these two channels - North American counterpart would be close to Public Broadcasting System). And yes we have about if not more commercials and they are always the same. The biggest difference is, there are virtually no local commercials, so you won't see commercials for 'Honest Johns Car Lot' or the supermarket down on the corner. The commercials here are mostly for Autos, Beer, Handy's (cell phones), perfume, MacDonald's, Burger King, Igloo Frozen Foods, Cheese and phone s*x (after 11 pm). Hope this answers your question.