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Press Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 1, 2002
Each year, the
PTC rates the best and the worst of family fare on
primetime television for the seven major broadcast networks. The criteria
include not only the frequency of foul language, sexual content and violence
on the series, but also the time slot, target audience, themes and plotlines
of the programs. In 2001, the PTC expanded its monitoring activities to
include original expanded basic cable series.
expanded basic cable is a
package of channels that most cable providers offer at the minimum
subscription level. These are distinct from premium cable channels, which
can only be viewed if the cable subscriber pays an additional fee to access
those channels. As of 2000, expanded basic cable was reaching more than 75% of
American households.
"For those who
think that raunch and vulgarity are found on only premium cable channels,
this is a wake-up call," said L. Brent Bozell III, Founder and
President of the PTC. "expanded basic cable is worse than ever before. In a
tasteless attempt to boost ratings, basic
cable has begun to target children
with programs that clearly push the envelope. "
Many parents welcome
expanded basic cable into their homes, trusting the content of the many
family-friendly options provided on networks such as the Disney Channel,
Nickelodeon, ABC Family and the Discovery Channel. However, these same
parents are often unaware of the inappropriate material expanded basic cable makes
just as easily available to their children.
"MTV is leading expanded basic cable's plunge into the sewer with five of the top ten
worst programs," Bozell continued. "In an affront to families
everywhere, MTV and other expanded basic cable programmers are trying to attract
younger audiences with violence, sex and titillating language."
Top Ten Best & Worst
Cable Shows of
the 2001/2002 TV Season
The Best and . . .
. . . the Worst!
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1) State of
Grace
(ABC Family)
2)
The Brothers
Garcia
(Nickelodeon)
3)
SpongeBob
SquarePants
(Nickelodeon)
4) So Little
Time (ABC Family)
5)
Lizzie McGuire
(Disney)
6) Caitlin's
Way (Nickelodeon)
7) Powerpuff
Girls (Cartoon Network)
8)
Even Stevens
(Disney)
9)
Making the Band
(MTV)
10) Nero Wolf (A&E) |
1) The Shield
(FX)
2) Undressed
(MTV)
3)
South
Park (Comedy Central)
4) The Real
World (MTV)
5) WWE Raw is
War (TNN)
6) The Man
Show (Comedy Central)
7)
Celebrity Deathmatch
(MTV)
8) The Andy
Dick Show
(MTV)
9) Witchblade
(TNT)
10) The
Osbournes (MTV) |
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