WASHINGTON, DC – The National Association of Broadcasters issued a statement today responding to an analysis of children's educational programming on broadcast television.
The study, unveiled today by Children Now during a press conference in Washington, did not include any digital multicast channels programmed by broadcasters, notably excluding ION Media Network's qubo Channel, a digital broadcast channel that boasts around-the-clock children's educational programming.
Commenting on the study and Children Now's claim that the findings raise "serious doubts about broadcasters' commitment to the nation's children," NAB Executive Vice President Dennis Wharton issued the following statement:
"Local broadcasters have a deep commitment to serving children, whether it be through educational programming, public service announcements focusing on children's issues, or our voluntary AMBER Alert initiative that has rescued hundreds of kidnapped children.
"We're pleased that Children Now acknowledges that all children's educational programming on broadcast television has educational value, and that more than three-quarters of the shows are either 'moderately' or 'highly' educational. As we transition to all-digital broadcasting, these efforts will only be strengthened by a rule that would prohibit cable and satellite TV operators from removing free multicast programming like ION's 24/7 qubo Channel from their program line-up."
About NAB
The National Association of Broadcasters is a trade association that advocates on behalf of more than 8,300 free, local radio and television stations and also broadcast networks before Congress, the Federal Communications Commission and the Courts. Information about NAB can be found at www.nab.org.