PTC: “The Walking Dead” Demonstrates Why Families Need Cable Choice

The Parents Television Council called for greater consumer Cable Choice, following the season premiere of AMC’s The Walking Dead. “Last night’s season premiere of The Walking Dead was one of the most graphically violent shows we’ve ever seen on television, comparable to the most violent of programs found on premium cable networks. It’s not enough to ‘change the channel,’ as some people like to advocate, because cable subscribers – regardless of whether they want AMC or watch its programming – are still forced to subsidize violent content. This brutally-explicit show is a powerful demonstration of why families should have greater control over the TV networks they purchase from their cable and satellite providers,” said PTC President Tim Winter. “For those who say there is no societal impact from media, I urge them to contemplate the presidential election for a few minutes. And while The Walking Dead has found unquestionable Nielsen success for a cable program, most Americans do not want that kind of ultra-graphic and violent content coming into their homes. But if they want to watch a football game on Sunday night, or if they want to watch the Chicago Cubs clinch their first Pennant in three generations, or if they want to watch news coverage of the election, they are forced to underwrite The Walking Dead as part of their programming bundle. “Programs with violent content are proven to be harmful, especially to children; and most parents agree that having greater control over violent content coming into their homes is vital to protecting their family. When a basic cable network like AMC edges or even surpasses the premium networks in terms of explicit content, consumers must be afforded more control over which networks they purchase and which networks they don’t.”