How can parents prevent children from viewing content they feel is inappropriate?
The technology already built into cable’s set-top boxes offers most customers parental controls with a few clicks of the remote control.
Fortunately, with technology that is already built into the set-top boxes, the majority of cable customers already have parental control technology at their fingertips that enables them to block unwanted content. Most cable set-top boxes feature easy-to-use parental controls that enable parents to block channels that may be inappropriate for children. The blocking of specific programs is keyed to information provided by the TV ratings system.
How does the TV ratings system work?
To help consumers make informed viewing decisions, cable and broadcast networks voluntarily apply TV ratings to their programming (news and sports are not rated). Ratings fall into two main categories – children’s programming and general audience programming.
- There are two ratings for children’s programming:
- TV-Y identifies a program designed for children of all ages
- TV-Y7 indicates a program is intended for children over the age of seven, who are better able to distinguish between make-believe and reality
- There are four ratings for general audiences:
- TV-G designates that a program is appropriate for all ages
- TV-PG indicates a program that warrants parental guidance
- TV-14 indicates that a program contains material parents may find unsuitable for children under age 14
- TV-MA denotes a program that is specifically designed for adults and may be unsuitable for children under age 17
Additionally, specific content labels may be added to the ratings, where appropriate (i.e., in children’s programming: "FV" for fantasy violence; and in general audience programming: "D" for suggestive dialogue; "L" for strong language; "S" for sexual situations; and "V" for violence).
How are cable companies promoting these tools?
The cable industry has launched a comprehensive $250 million public service campaign to alert customers about the parental control tools that cable provides. The campaign features the tag line, "Take Control. It’s Easy," to emphasize that parental control features provided by cable operators are accessible and easy to use.
The multimedia campaign includes the airing millions of televised public service announcements in markets throughout the country; hosting 100 "Control Your TV" community events held in conjunction with local PTA chapters; posting materials about parental controls at consumer electronic retail stores; and, providing information directly to customers through a variety of direct tactics.
Another major component of the initiative is a website, www.ControlYourTV.org,
which is a resource for customers to learn all about cable’s parental controls and media literacy. A Spanish-language version of the site – www.ControleSuTelevisor.org – is also available.
Why shouldn’t cable networks be subject to the same fines that broadcast networks face if they air "indecent" content?
Laws governing the communications and media industry have historically treated over-the-air broadcasting and cable differently because of the fundamental distinctions between the services. Specifically, broadcasters deliver unfiltered programming free over the public airwaves, while cable is a subscription-based "opt in" service delivered over a private network that offers its customers tools to block unwanted programming.
The U.S. Supreme Court has upheld the different regulatory treatment between cable and over-the-air broadcast signals because of the channel blocking technology that cable provides. The Court found that for purposes of a First Amendment analysis of indecency restrictions, the "key difference" between cable operators and broadcasters is that "cable systems have the capacity to block unwanted channels on a household-by-household basis."
Why can’t cable customers choose to pay for only the channels they want to see in their home?
Like many other consumer products and services, cable television is sold as a bundle of channels that provide the viewer with a wide array of choices. It is this bundle of channels that provides consumers with the greatest value for their monthly service charge. Consumers do have the choice of subscribing to different bundles, or tiers of cable TV service, such as "Basic," "Expanded Basic," "Digital," etc., as well as to individual premium channels and video-on-demand.
While some have suggested that cable networks should be sold on an unbundled or "a la carte" basis in which customers would only pay each month for the networks to which they choose to subscribe, several economic studies have concluded that a la carte would offer no benefit to the vast majority of consumers and would, in fact, result in higher prices, less choice and diminished programming diversity.