FX Network’s Castration Scene Shows Urgent Need for Consumer Cable Choice

LOS ANGELES (September 22, 2008) - The Parents Television Council™ renewed its call on the cable industry and on Congress for families to gain access to cable choice, where consumers would choose and pay for only the cable networks they want, after a graphic castration scene aired on FX’s “Sons of Anarchy.”

The castration scene aired on Thursday, September 17. The viewer is spared little as the main character, Clay, uses a cattle castration knife to remove a rapist’s genitals, which are then shown lying in a pool of blood on the ground.

“This graphic castration scene that FX chose to air on its basic cable network is the ultimate reason why consumers need the ability to choose and pay for only the cable networks they want. This horrific and sickeningly violent scene demonstrates the depths of depravity of some cable networks to shock and offend while knowing that their product bundle insulates them from any consumer recourse,” said PTC President Tim Winter.

“This ‘Sons of Anarchy’ episode is just the latest of countless examples why the proposal offered by the American Cable Association for wholesale programming changes must be acted on quickly by the FCC. Was there consumer demand from the basic cable television viewing market to show a screaming rapist’s testicles being cut off? If so, then let that market subscribe - and pay for - such content, but don’t force consumers who want other entertainment products to underwrite depictions of such inhuman behavior.

“We repeat our calls on the cable industry to provide a real solution for consumers who find this type of content offensive. The cable industry’s “solution” - that consumers should avoid their product but still pay for it - is no solution. The free-market solution is to allow families and other consumers to be able to pick and pay for the cable networks they want. The cable industry could provide this solution, but as their words and deeds will show, instead they will spend countless millions fighting against what their own market forces are demanding.”

“Just like the calls for change by the presidential candidates, we urge the cable industry to change its monopolistic stronghold and put consumers first.”

For more information about cable choice, visit www.HowCableShouldBe.com.

To speak with a representative from the Parents Television Council, please contact Kelly Oliver (ext. 140) or Megan Franko (ext. 148) at (703) 683-5004.

The Parents Television Council™ (www.parentstv.org®) is a non-partisan education organization advocating responsible entertainment. It was founded in 1995 to ensure that children are not constantly assaulted by sex, violence and profanity on television and in other media. This national grassroots organization has more than 1.3 million members across the United States, and works with television producers, broadcasters, networks and sponsors in an effort to stem the flow of harmful and negative messages targeted to children. The PTC also works with elected and appointed government officials to enforce broadcast decency standards. Most importantly, the PTC produces critical research and publications documenting the dramatic increase in sex, violence and profanity in entertainment. This information is provided free of charge so parents can make informed viewing choices for their own families.