LOS ANGELES (December 5, 2007) – The Parents Television Council™ denounced CBS for its plans to bring series from premium cable network Showtime to its broadcast network, as CBS President and CEO Leslie Moonves said yesterday.  Potential shows that could make their way to CBS are Weeds, Dexter, and Brotherhood.

 

“CBS’ plan is purely based on corporate greed, not what’s good for families or in the public interest.  These Showtime programs contain some of the most explicit content on television, period.  Yet CBS has no qualms about putting shows that make heroes of serial killers and revel in sick, graphic violence or those that condone drug use and glorify drug dealers in front of millions of children and families on broadcast television.  These shows are better left on premium cable where children cannot have as easy access and where families are not forced to pay for them in order to get other basic cable networks,” said PTC President Tim Winter.

 

“CBS is funneling in super-raunchy content from its premium cable network onto its broadcast network, providing another powerful example of why the rules concerning media consolidation must not be loosened.  First documented by the PTC in 2006, shows that moved from premium cable to basic cable and to broadcast television are causing families to be exposed to more graphic content.

 

“If CBS goes through with this plan, the PTC will certainly contact every sponsor of the programs.  And if indecent content appears over the public airwaves anywhere in the country prior to 10pm, we will urge the public to let their voices be heard at the FCC.  We hope that CBS will reconsider this act of corporate desperation and put families first.”