PTC applauds NBC for returning to 'family hour'

One News Now ^ | April 8, 2008 | Allie Martin

[Tolerance Sucks Rocks]

The Parents Television Council is commending NBC for announcing its commitment to the so-called "family hour."

NBC has promised to show family-friendly programs during the family hour, which will run from 8:00-9:00 p.m. (Eastern). The network recently unveiled a 52-week schedule of primetime programming for advertisers and marketers. NBC's family-hour programs next fall will include such programs as Chuck, Biggest Loser, Knight Rider, and Deal or No Deal.

Melissa Henson, with the Parents Television Council (PTC), says while her organization has not previewed all of the new shows that have been announced, it is refreshing that one of the major networks recognizes the hunger for quality entertainment.

"There has been a growing demand for more family-friendly programming over the years. Groups like the American Family Association and PTC have been instrumental in coordinating those voices and making sure that they were heard by the executives of the networks," Henson points out.

The PTC released a report recently that showed the family-friendly hour has typically been flooded with adult content on all television networks.

"We have seen, in theatrical releases, G- and PG-rated films doing much better in terms of box office numbers, and I think that the same is certainly true on television. We've seen advertisers shying away from programs that have high levels of mature content [as well as] graphic sex and violence and profane language," Henson contends.

Henson believes NBC's profits will increase during the family-friendly hour.

At the same time the network announced its intentions for next fall, it also designated the 9:00-10:00 hour as the "blockbuster" hour. The 10:00 hour has been designated the "adult themes" hour.

[Tolerance Sucks Rocks]

Here are the comments I found below the article:

• "Deal or No Deal is soft porn with the women they show-not family friendly for a home with teenage boys"
• "Why do I not trust them to keep their word or even know what family friendly programing means?"
• "Depends on if NBC is redefining the family."
• "I am glad someone is at least trying, but it seems they do not understand what decent programing is. Of the programs mentioned the only one I have ever viewed is "Deal or No Deal" but I choose to no longer view it for the scantily clad women that are a main part of the show. If this is what they call family programming then they need to re-evaluate."
• "But, If the shows really are 'family friendly', we need to show support. If it is profitable for them, other networks will follow."
• "Would someone please do away with reality tv shows!!! They are retarded!!!"
• "If you have seen Chuck, a good show by the way, you will know that no reader of this site is going to be happy with the result of this family friendliness on the screen."
• "I dont believe Chuck and Knight Rider should fall into the family hour. Chuck is pretty "adult" in its content and Knight Rider has an openly lesbian cop as a character. I only saw the first epi of Knight Rider so I am not sure if she is a mainstay in the series."
• "I wouldn't exactly call 'Chuck'and The Biggest Loser family shows. What kid wants to watch people try to lose weight?"
• "This is great news and we need to let them know. THANK YOU NBC"
• "NBC will include "Knight Rider" in its "family friendly hour". One of the characters is a lesbian and the hero sleeps around. Doesn't sound real family friendly to me."
• "WOW, let's have "family" hour followed by immorality the rest of the night!!! That's pretty hypocritical I'd say. We barely watch TV anymore, it just isn't worth it!!"
• "We are still waiting also. We used to watch NBC all the time, not now, CBS is what we watch. I sure hope they put families first and do the right thing. God is watching all of us."
• "I enjoy a lot of programs on NBC and am very grateful for this commitment to action for the family. Sherry"
• "Family hour, thank you. At least Knight Rider is good. What is the "Blockbuster Hour?""
• "Ha! Those aren't family shows. On the Biggest Loser they have to bleep out every other word out of the contestants' mouths, and on Deal or No Deal the women holding the briefcases are typically wearing very revealing clothes. I don't know about you, but I'm not too comfortable letting my kids watch that stuff."
• "Now if they would only ensure that their commercials were "family friendly" too... :-\"
• "It is about time the network thought of family and should continue to back further away from adult themes, such as sex, language that are unbecoming to most people."
• "This is great, except, will they keep the commercials for their "adult-themed shows" out of the family hour? Often, the commercials show waaay too much!"
• "Deal or no deal is going to have to change the costumes of the young women who hold the cases for it to be family friendly viewing."
• "I would be happy to see the more family-friendly programming as long as the commercials are also family-friendly. Most of the commercials for their other programming are not."
• "Thanks NBC!!!!"
• "To quote the old Max Headroom take on the lawyer joke, "How can you tell when a network president's lying? His lips move." I'll believe it when I see it, and I think they'll need more than game shows."
• "We will see I dont trust any thing they say"
• "Too little, too late. We abandoned the major networks long ago."
• "Wonderful, now, about the 7:00-8:00pm hour! I'd love to have more family friendly TV shows, which have no sex or foul language."
• "Wow, all of those shows they listed are bad shows. I guess I'll stick with "Countdown with Keith Olbermann" during the 8:00 time slot."

[Tolerance Sucks Rocks]

PING!

[Darren McCarty]

Knight Rider? David Hasselhoff and KITT are back? Or is some BS remake that just isn't the same (cough cough - American Gladiators)

PTC sucks anyway. I'll stick with UFC and COPS.

[C210N]

Given the choice, I'd much prefer watching a test pattern.

For a few hours, instead of NBC/CBS/ABC, even for a minute.

[DoughtyOne]

I didn’t read them all, but at least some of those comments are spot on.

Deal or No Deal puts an awful lot of emphasis on T&A. I like the show, but I have a real problem with enforcing young men’s objectification of women. (not that they ever needed any help ;-) )

As for Chuck, one of my favorite shows on television, showing someone get shot dead in the head isn’t exactly what I’d call child friendly.

[donna]

Just so you know: It’s going to be gay family hour.

[Westlander]

Has the sex and guts been moved up to the 8am time slot?

[swmobuffalo]

Folks ever hear of an OFF button?

[donna]

Yeah, but the crazed teenage boy next door hasn’t.

[chiller]

I guess I'll stick with "Countdown with Keith Olbermann" during the 8:00 time slot." This messenger doesn't know obscene TV when he watches it.

The last graph notes they're introducing "adult themes" in the 10-11 hour, so the added spin on family hour is obviously an attempt to cover their arse. It'll be an excuse to do virtual porn later at night. Any bets?

And of course, in flyover country 10 to 11 is 9p to 10.

[Proud_USA_Republican]

"KITT, I want you to scan that building." KITT with lisp voice - "Super Duper Michael! And where did you get those jeans, they are just faaaaabulous?!!"

[swmobuffalo]

“the crazed teenage boy next door hasn’t”

Never lived next door to one, not even in the big city.

[Question_Assumptions]

I like Chuck a great deal but I wouldn't exactly call it family friendly. They could probably dial it back to make it family friendly and it would still be a great show, since it has 1980s vibe to it. But as is, I don't think I'd consider it wholesome family fare.

[fieldmarshaldj]

I think it’s way too late now. There’s no way to put that genie back in the bottle. Most of primetime is ghastly now, anyway.

[newfreep]

A few months ago, a new Knight Rider debut with a lesbian as one of the main characters. That was enough for me and the “family hour”.