Why do tv shows have intros

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Last updated: April 8, 2026

Quick Answer: TV show intros serve multiple purposes including establishing brand identity, providing credits, and setting the tone. The iconic 'Friends' intro with its fountain scene and theme song became a cultural phenomenon in the 1990s. Modern streaming platforms like Netflix have experimented with 'skip intro' buttons since 2017, with data showing approximately 85% of viewers use this feature. The average TV intro length has decreased from 60-90 seconds in the 1970s to 15-30 seconds today.

Key Facts

The first TV show with a dedicated musical intro was 'Dragnet' in 1951
Netflix introduced the 'skip intro' button in 2017
Approximately 85% of Netflix viewers use the skip intro feature
The average TV intro length decreased from 60-90 seconds in the 1970s to 15-30 seconds today
The 'Friends' intro fountain scene was filmed at the Warner Bros. Ranch in Burbank, California

Overview

TV show intros have evolved significantly since television's early days. In the 1950s, intros were primarily functional - simple title cards with minimal music, like 'I Love Lucy' (1951) which featured just the show title. The 1960s saw more elaborate sequences with 'The Flintstones' (1960) using animation and 'The Andy Griffith Show' (1960) featuring whistling. The 1970s brought longer, more cinematic intros like 'M*A*S*H' (1972) with its 90-second sequence. The 1980s introduced synth-driven themes for shows like 'Miami Vice' (1984). The 1990s featured iconic intros including 'Friends' (1994) with its fountain scene and 'The Simpsons' (1989) with its evolving couch gags. The 2000s saw shorter intros for shows like 'Lost' (2004) with its 15-second minimalist sequence. Today, streaming platforms have further transformed intro usage patterns.

How It Works

TV show intros function through several key mechanisms. Creatively, they establish visual and auditory branding through distinctive music, graphics, and imagery that become associated with the show. Legally, they fulfill credit requirements by displaying cast and crew names, production companies, and copyright information. Psychologically, they create mood transitions, signaling to viewers that the show is beginning and helping them shift attention. Technically, intros are produced using various methods - live-action filming (like 'Game of Thrones' locations), animation ('The Simpsons'), or CGI ('Stranger Things'). Distribution-wise, broadcast networks traditionally required consistent intros, while streaming services like Netflix and Hulu have implemented 'skip intro' buttons that use metadata tagging to identify intro segments. Production companies typically create intros during post-production, often working with composers for original scores and graphic designers for visual elements.

Why It Matters

TV intros have significant cultural and practical importance. Culturally, iconic intros like the 'Cheers' bar scene or 'The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air' rap become embedded in popular consciousness, often outlasting the shows themselves. Commercially, intros help with brand recognition and marketing - memorable themes can increase show identification and merchandise sales. Practically, they provide necessary legal credits while giving viewers time to settle in. The 'skip intro' feature matters because it reflects changing viewing habits in the streaming era, where binge-watching makes repeated intros potentially disruptive. This has led to shorter intros and creative adaptations, like 'Stranger Things' varying its intro visuals seasonally. The evolution of intros also reflects broader television history, from broadcast constraints to digital flexibility.