Why did the anime stop having ending songs since episode 279?


Since episode 279, the _One Piece_ anime doesn't have ending songs. Instead,
it has long openings: almost 3 minutes, instead of the usual 1:30 openings.

What was the reason for this change?




I don't think any official explanations were given (I tried to search but
there are only speculations).

I think the most probable reason is the fact that when you're watching
broadcasts on TV, as soon as the ending theme song pops up you change to
another channel. Almost nobody watches the ending credits/openings and this is
true also for other things. Think about when you go to the movies: when the
credits starts rolling, is there someone that will stay sit there? Maybe, but
that's quite rare. Same for movies on TV, you usually change it because... you
really don't care, unless you need to look up some actor/character in those
rare occasions.

For this reason, and I'm quite convinced this is the case, they cut the ending
theme song, made the opening longer and put the credits there instead. More
people are likely to watch it, not just those that like the song, but also
once you get to the channel, you're less likely to change it _just because_ it
hasn't started yet.

Along with the recap, this makes the "opening part" much longer, even cutting
from the usual ~24 minutes of actual episode time.




I don't think any official explanations were given (I tried to search but
there are only speculations).

I think the most probable reason is the fact that when you're watching
broadcasts on TV, as soon as the ending theme song pops up you change to
another channel. Almost nobody watches the ending credits/openings and this is
true also for other things. Think about when you go to the movies: when the
credits starts rolling, is there someone that will stay sit there? Maybe, but
that's quite rare. Same for movies on TV, you usually change it because... you
really don't care, unless you need to look up some actor/character in those
rare occasions.

For this reason, and I'm quite convinced this is the case, they cut the ending
theme song, made the opening longer and put the credits there instead. More
people are likely to watch it, not just those that like the song, but also
once you get to the channel, you're less likely to change it _just because_ it
hasn't started yet.

Along with the recap, this makes the "opening part" much longer, even cutting
from the usual ~24 minutes of actual episode time.

