Why is Cartoon Network afraid of TV-PG?

[ClockStomper]

Outside of AS, nothing on CN is rated above TV-Y7FV, except for rare occasions like the recent Osmosis Jones showing. Why is this so? ABC Family and other such channels kids primarily watch air shows rated TV-PG and above, yet CN wants to keep itself a magical curse-free zone outside of AS. But if other competitors haven't gotten complaints, why should CN be afraid of airing TV-PG shows before 11?

It's an interesting discrepancy...ABC Family will air "Full House" with a TV-G rating, yet it does contain cursing and sexuality. But CN edits things to keep to a Y7 standard, no matter how it fluctuates (Guns in some shows? Great! Guns in this other show with the same rating? Nay!)

Why? The rating label appears very quickly and I doubt 99% of parents even check. So airing, say, a TV-PG Toonami show wouldn't really hurt ratings becuause people don't run to check what the TV rating is in TV Guide before each individual episode of a show airs.

Now I don't mean this is a call for them to start airing Futurama and some of the AS anime at 7. They should stay where they belong. But if CN could save itself from hiding in a corner and wetting themselves because there's a light curse in an animated film.

[William C. Maune]

While ABC Family gets a fair amount of kids viewers, it also aims for an older and broader demographic. Unlike Cartoon Network, ABC Family's main target demographic isn't ages 2-11/9-14. The viewers CN targets are more comparable to Nick (not "at Nite") and Disney, neither of which really shows any TV-PG programming.

[Red]

Antz was before 11 and PG I think, and if it was G then Passion of the Christ should be G too [OK maybe not that exagerant ;)]

[Rave Master1]

osmosis jones just aired the other day and it was TVPG.

[ClockStomper]

osmosis jones just aired the other day and it was TVPG.I mentioned it in my original post. It's also of note it didn't air with TV-PG fixed into place like of the CNF airings.

While ABC Family gets a fair amount of kids viewers, it also aims for an older and broader demographic. Unlike Cartoon Network, ABC Family's main target demographic isn't ages 2-11/9-14. The viewers CN targets are more comparable to Nick (not "at Nite") and Disney, neither of which really shows any TV-PG programming.But it's also freely available to children, usually packaged on cable/dish on channels right next to Nick, CN and Disney. Seeing TV-PG on Smallville dosen't make kids change the channel, but it does keep ABC's backs covered from parental complaint.

The point is that they've aired content CN is afraid to air, sans complaints. And as long as they air the programs with the proper TV rating, there'll be no basis for complaint. Take the instances of "damn" slipping onto Toonami. It would have been smarter and cheaper to slap a new TV rating label, rather than edit to fit this "nothing over Y7" ideal CN is trying to push.

So CN shouldn't be afraid of the "big bad wolf known as TV-PG" because nothing bad's going to happen.

[Red]

Well if you read my Antz talkback post after seeing it for the first time, I suggest they keep it the way it is. A TV PG movie passed boundaries big time in my opinion, and in a parents view I'd be mad. Alot of little kids watch Cartoon Network and Nickelodeon only. If its PG keep it in Toonami or AS or else I probably get mad. hi

[CNfan]

Clockstomper, do you need curse words to enjoy your entertainment? Can series not be funny or compelling if they are Y7? I think Billy & Mandy and Fosters are both highly entertaining and highly subversive, but both manage to do so without having characters swear or fire massive amounts of realistic artillery. Showtime has full-frontal nudity and lots of curse words in their late-night anime....perhaps you might enjoy their offerings more.

[Donald Duck 12]

Why should they? Kids will watch older material anyways, it's good some people don't try to make them grow up. I've heard a story from a DARE officer about her 5 year old son who talked about beating anyone up, from watching PPG. CN doesn't need to add to the pressure peers bring. Besides, TV-PG doesn't always add quality. I think they should lighten their shows a little, why harden them for a board full of teen and adult whiners?

[ClockStomper]

Clockstomper, do you need curse words to enjoy your entertainment? Can series not be funny or compelling if they are Y7? I think Billy & Mandy and Fosters are both highly entertaining and highly subversive, but both manage to do so without having characters swear or fire massive amounts of realistic artillery. Showtime has full-frontal nudity and lots of curse words in their late-night anime....perhaps you might enjoy their offerings more.
So animation is either kids stuff or porn? It's black or white? No spectrum?

If CN has aquired or wants to aquire a show, but can't fit it within their arbitrary brackets of T-Y7, why limit themselves? Why have those set limits? They're so desperate to keep them, they've pushed several series to 1 am for the sole purpose of keeping the Y7 label. So many Rurouni Kenshin episodes, already edited to be curse and blood free by WS, are sitting in CN's vault rotting just so CN can keep their "nothing over Y7 before 11" rule. the airing of these latest movies in TV-PG gives me a sliver of hope.

Yeah, and Ants was SOOO risque. :rolleyes:

[Conan-san]

So animation is either kids stuff or porn? It's black or white? No spectrum?
Now your thinkin' the BBFC way!

[CookieS]

Why? The rating label appears very quickly and I doubt 99% of parents even check. So airing, say, a TV-PG Toonami show wouldn't really hurt ratings becuause people don't run to check what the TV rating is in TV Guide before each individual episode of a show airs. I think you're using the wrong words here. You're saying the network AIMS for Y7 ratings, when in reality they don't do that. When they make a lot of their cartoons, they do so with a bigger audience in mind. Even with intended demographics, the network's homespun shows are for everyone. The TV-PG rating is reserved if any of the content of a show is better left with parental guidence. I think the silly or harmless topics covered in most of the programs don't need a parent to be present.

Also, as for checking ratings, I think you're wrong. While a majority of peoople don't actively check ratings, the few that do hold a lot of power over networks. We jokingly call them the "soccer moms of America," because these parents are politically active and embrace censoring technology such as the V-chip and the lock-outs on new digital cable boxes. These are people the network responds to since they are much more motived and unified than most of us that post here. Broadcast channels must answer and adapt to this political machine and bend to passed legislation that soccer moms lobby for.

A show earns a TV-PG rating. On rare occassions the network edits shows because there is a department called "Standards and Pratices" that sets rules as to what type of programming can air on what times of the day. When they sell ads (commercials), they want those advertisers to know that the program they're advertising with is rated Y7, and thus, has a targeted audience to market that product/service to kids. The former VP of the network even said himself that to have a cartoon channel and to alienate yourself from children is bad business. Who's going to disagree with that?

So to give you the short answer, the reason Cartoon Network "tries" to air Y7 is due to sales and standards. The reason most of those shows "earn" Y7 is because not enough of them warrant content to make it TV-PG. Please, let's just drop this subject, since its come up at least a few time every year since this forum has been opened!

[IanC]

Now your thinkin' the BBFC way!
Ignore this guy, the BBFC doesnt think like taht at all (Well anymore at least)

[Red]

Yeah, and Ants was SOOO risque. :rolleyes:
For a 6-11 block it was.

[Wanted]

The former VP of the network even said himself that to have a cartoon channel and to alienate yourself from children is bad business.Well, now I know.

[Yash]

Don't some episodes of Justice League air with a TV-PG rating?

Also, there's one message that could stop all this soccer mom crap. You know what it is? It's seven words long. Give up? Okay, it's...

"Don't imitate what you see on TV."

That message could solve all our problems, however parents don't want to feel that their child is responsible for their actions, not TV. The show gave them the idea, yeah, but the child was the one who went out and did it. The child should be held more responsible than the cartoon. Instead it's the other way around...

[Zyzzybalubah]

TV-PG should be fine. I mean most kids have been watching PG-rated movies have been watching movies since they were 3. I really think most PG movies can air on the channel uncut, unless there is really strong language (the "s" word has been uttered a few times in PG movies) but if it's a minor swear like "damn" or "hell" just let it slide, unless there's going to be a giant fine for one little swear. Movies like Antz, Shrek, The Incredibles, etc. are meant to be viewed by all audiences and CN (well okay not so much Incredibles for trademark reasons) should be able to view all those kinds of movies without having to edit anything. I guess it's not a big deal, but it would be kind of riddiculous that CN would have to edit a movie that is made for kids because some uptight, over-protective parents are scared of their children watching Antz.

[Batman91]

TV-PG should be fine. I mean most kids have been watching PG-rated movies have been watching movies since they were 3. I really think most PG movies can air on the channel uncut, unless there is really strong language (the "s" word has been uttered a few times in PG movies) but if it's a minor swear like "damn" or "hell" just let it slide, unless there's going to be a giant fine for one little swear. Movies like Antz, Shrek, The Incredibles, etc. are meant to be viewed by all audiences and CN (well okay not so much Incredibles for trademark reasons) should be able to view all those kinds of movies without having to edit anything. I guess it's not a big deal, but it would be kind of riddiculous that CN would have to edit a movie that is made for kids because some uptight, over-protective parents are scared of their children watching Antz.
I agree, I mean myself and all my friends have seen PG and PG13 movies long before we even turned 13.What makes it different with other kids?

[Sketch]

I don't think TV-PG movies should be a problem.

And I also think since Toonami wont be airing any earier anymore that it should allow TV-PG content on occasion. I don't think the parents of 9 year olds would mind seeing a disclamer. But maybe they are too hung up on those 6-8's still. But if they put those shows 10-11PM it should be "pretty" safe and within the censors guidelines.

[Zyzzybalubah]

I agree, I mean myself and all my friends have seen PG and PG13 movies long before we even turned 13.What makes it different with other kids?
Sadly just the overprotective parents and stupid FCC I suppose. :rolleyes:

PG-13, I can understand though. I've seen PG-13 movies before I was 13, but there are some parents out there that won't let their kids, and I guess that's understanable.