FCC Partying Like It's 1999! TV Stations Get Overdue Fines

[DToTheJ]

The FCC has issued fines to two television stations for running certain commercials during childrens' programming - mind you, these instances occurred over ten years ago.

KATV in Little Rock was fined for airing spots during the show "Doug" on ABC, for the theatrical movie based on the Nickelodeon cartoon (is "Doug" even on Nick anymore?).

And KEB in Tulsa was hit with fines for running ads during an unnamed show, for toys based on characters from this program.

Full story:
http://www.broadcastingcable.com/ar...wo_Stations_Over_Ads_During_Kids_Programs.php

 

[azumanga]

I'm surprised that the FCC bothered to issue fines now, instead of soon after -- what kept them from fining them right away?

Also, there is (or was) no such Tulsa station as "KEB" (it's B&C's fault) -- they probably meant "KGEB", the now-religious station owned by Oral Roberts, who was fined for an offence that happed during its last days as KWMJ, a family-oriented commercial indy that became KGEB in 1999.

 

[Mario500]

This is another example why the Children's Television Act of 1990 is unnecessary and must be repealed.

 

[azumanga]

That, and the fact that there should be a statute of limitations for FCC regulations violations -- the phrase "you snooze, you lose" should apply to everyone, including the FCC.

 

[FreddyE1977]

Your Government At Work

(not like they should be worried about jobs or terrorists or anything)

 

[dave73]

I don't see what the problem is with airing certain commercials that look innocent (though commercials aren't really innocent). I don't see the big deal with a commercial for a movie version of a TV cartoon being aired around the time the TV cartoon is aired. Or that a cereal based on a cartoon character at the time the cartoon is aired. This was rather common that I noticed in the 80's. Why is this a problem now? What would the FCC rather have for commercials: male enhancement drugs (Vigra, Cialis, or the herbal enhancement pill, Extenze), women's products: maxi pads or tampons, ******,, or other feminine products. I'd rather see commercials that are kid friendly than commercials that are aimed at adults during children's programming. The only other option would be for TV stations to seek sponsor half hour blocks blocks (almost never happens these days) to keep E/I programming commercial free. That won't happen by a long shot. Otherwise, advertisers wouldn't have backed out of sponsoring shows back in the late 60's to no later than 1971. I get the impression that the FCC would rather see no commercials at all during E/I programming than see family oriented commercials (even if the commercials are really aimed at children). Commercial TV stations already have trouble getting advertisers for this programming, or most TV stations (especially NBC at the network level) wouldn't have eliminated Saturday morning back in the 90's.

 

[mescutia]

That, and the fact that there should be a statute of limitations for FCC regulations violations -- the phrase "you snooze, you lose" should apply to everyone, including the FCC.

No kidding.

Your Government At Work

(not like they should be worried about jobs or terrorists or anything)

This is part of why I believe in limited government.

 

[FreddyE1977]

. Why is this a problem now? What would the FCC rather have for commercials: male enhancement drugs (Vigra, Cialis, or the herbal enhancement pill, Extenze), women's products: maxi pads or tampons, ******,, or other feminine products.

You've hit on one of my biggest pet peeves....commercials for Cialis, Viagra and related products that run
at 2PM on a Saturday during sports programming. Thank God I do not have an eight year old son who likes baseball.
I would be really sick and tired of dancing around his questions by now.

 

[azumanga]

You've hit on one of my biggest pet peeves....commercials for Cialis, Viagra and related products that run
at 2PM on a Saturday during sports programming. Thank God I do not have an eight year old son who likes baseball.
I would be really sick and tired of dancing around his questions by now.

Didn't the FCC toss around the idea of limiting such ads to late night last year?

 

[landtuna]

. Why is this a problem now? What would the FCC rather have for commercials: male enhancement drugs (Vigra, Cialis, or the herbal enhancement pill, Extenze), women's products: maxi pads or tampons, ******,, or other feminine products.

You've hit on one of my biggest pet peeves....commercials for Cialis, Viagra and related products that run
at 2PM on a Saturday during sports programming. Thank God I do not have an eight year old son who likes baseball. I would be really sick and tired of dancing around his questions by now.

Isn't that what mom's are for? ;D

 

[landtuna]

This is part of why I believe in limited government.

We already have limited gubbermint. Just think where we'd be if they were efficient! ;D

 

[EricStein]

I agree that E/I rules are outdated and unnecessary these days with all the cable choices out there. However, I don't think stations should just replace the E/I shows with infomercials (which they would most likely do).

 

[DToTheJ]

... commercials for Cialis, Viagra and related products that run at 2PM on a Saturday during sports programming. Thank God I do not have an eight year old son who likes baseball. I would be really sick and tired of dancing around his questions by now.

Just explain to him that the reason those commercials are on the air are because of the business of television advertising and... well, theirs is bigger.