01/18/2006

Concerned Women for America Urges Senate: Take Bold Action Against TV Indecency

WASHINGTON, Jan. 18 /Christian Newswire/ -- Concerned Women for America’s (CWA’s) Lanier Swann, Director of Government Relations, will be available Thursday to speak to the media about the increasing prevalence of inappropriate and violent programming and the ongoing refusal by the cable TV industry to offer real solutions to reduce children’s exposure to this material.

CWA is encouraging the Senate to act decisively when it broaches the issue of cable monopolies and the rampant problem of offensive programming on cable airwaves. The Senate Commerce Committee will conduct hearings tomorrow, Thursday, January 19, 2006, examining these issues.

Several groups will testify before the Senate on the need for the cable industry to offer a la carte cable programming, an option that would offer consumers the choice to pay for only the specific cable programs they wish to view instead of a one-size- fits-all program-bundling packet that often includes adult or indecent programming. CWA has key questions for the U.S. Senate as it addresses the issue of television indecency:

Cable companies have suggested that channel bundling helps less-popular channels stay on the air. Does this supposed benefit outweigh the rights of consumers who want more choice in television programming?

In family households, television programs are selected by viewers of varying ages. If a particular show is popular with parents, but getting this program means subscribing to unsuitable bundled channels, how can "family-friendly channel tiers" actually help parents weed out inappropriate programming but still allow each family member to choose their favorite channels?

Because the notion of "family friendly" is subjective, how could cable companies possibly believe such one-size-fits-all package offerings would meet the needs of all cable consumers?

Although parents may block channels they find unsuitable, they are still subsidizing those channels through channel bundling. How do cable companies justify placing this burden on its consumers?

For years, cable industry executives have been deciding how television programming will be delivered to its consumers. Can you explain how the cable industry is thriving while failing to mold its products and services to meet consumer demands?

FCC Chairman Kevin Martin said a la carte offerings "could be economically feasible and in consumers’ best interests." So why are cable companies failing to reach acceptable terms with entertainment conglomerates that would make a la carte channel offering economically sound for all?

Concerned Women for America (CWA) is the nation's largest public policy women's organization.