Basic Characteristics

• Dimensions: 640x360 pixels (HD 16:9 episode) or 640x480 pixels (SD 4:3 episode).
• Initial upload can be any type (png or jpg). It will convert to the required type for this format (.jpg).
• The initial upload needs to be at least the dimensions listed above. This is an attempt to force higher quality.
  • Each series is now pre-set to require either an HD or SD image. If you believe that the series you're working on has the wrong image size selected, please create a ticket to let the mod team know.
• Max upload size is now 10MB, but post-crop the file size will be aligned with our current images. We compress .jpgs at 90% compression, which should almost never appear lossy.
• Available on: episodes.

Guidelines

• Each episode is limited to one image.
• Use an official episode image when available. The image should be indicative of the content of the episode without revealing any spoilers. Official images must still follow the text and logo rules below.
• Wherever possible, especially for newer series, the image should not contain the network watermark/logo.
• The image should not be a title card and ideally will have no writing on it whatsoever. 
  • Episode images are supposed to be language-agnostic and applicable for all translations.
• Images should be uploaded in their original aspect ratio: If the show is 16:9, then that should be the ratio of the image, even if your local network broadcast it in 4:3. Nearly all programming from the mid 1990s to today will have been produced in 16:9 format.
• Images shouldn't just be a title shot from the episode. We already know the episode's name, we don't need to see it again.
• Do not just use the same image for every episode. Once again the image should reflect the content of that specific episode.

Additional Guidelines for Web Series & Podcasts

• For web series, i.e. shows hosted on YouTube, DO NOT just use the thumbnail image from the episode, unless there is NO writing on it whatsoever.
• Podcasts don't normally have screenshots, being audio-only in format. Therefore podcasts should not have episode images added unless they have released official episode images, such as in the case of Criminal. Again, official images must still follow the text and logo rules.

Image Removal

If an image on the site needs to be replaced, you will have to create a ticket request for an admin to do so.

Good Examples

These would be considered the images that best meet our rules. They maintain the original aspect ratio and are clear of text, logos and other image flaws.

16:9 Broadcast Format

4:3 Broadcast Format

Secondary Examples

Below are additional images in styles we regularly find on the site. They include descriptions of their acceptability for inclusion on the site.

Broadcaster Logo Visible

This image is rarely acceptable. For very old shows images without the original broadcasters logo may be hard to find. For modern series the presence of this logo is unacceptable.

Overly Dark

This image is rarely acceptable. Only if the the episode is largely in the dark would this be an acceptable image. Otherwise please find one that contains more visible detail.

Blurry

This image is not acceptable. It is blurry either as a result of fast motion in the scene or from being scaled up from a lower resolution.

Show Logo

This image is not acceptable. Images should be representative of the episodes content. We already know the show's title and don't need to see it again.

Compression Artifacts

This image is not acceptable. This image is very noisy and contains artifacts from an overly compressed original image or other low resolution source.

Subtitles Visible

This image is not acceptable. As shows may be broadcast in many languages, the image needs to work for all languages.

Broadcast Title Card

This image is not acceptable. As shows may be broadcast in many languages, the image needs to work for all languages.

YouTube-Style Title Card

This image is not acceptable. The same text rules apply to Web Series as they do to broadcast shows. Images should be text free where at all possible.

Letterboxing

This image is not acceptable. Episode images should represent the original broadcast format. If a series broadcast early seasons in 4:3 and switched to 16:9 later — The Simpsons is a good example of this — then early seasons would be 4:3 with later seasons as 16:9.

Pillarboxing

This image is not acceptable. Similar to letterboxing, episode images should represent the original broadcast format. Do not add bars to the sides of a 4:3 image to make it 16:9.