WASHINGTON Ending a bitter six-year battle, federal regulatorsadopted rules Thursday requiring TV broadcasters to air at leastthree hours of educational shows for children each week.
In a 4-0 vote, the Federal Communications Commission accepted aWhite House and TV industry plan aimed at boosting the quantity andimproving the quality of shows for America's kids.
The three-hour requirement, which doesn't apply to cabletelevision, takes effect in September, 1997. However, TV stationsbeginning Jan. 2 will have to promote shows they classify as"educational" in TV listings.
Children's TV advocates predict the new rules will eventuallylead to more and higher-quality shows for children. "It's very goodfor kids because kids like choices just like adults," said PeggyCharren, a children's TV activist.
Some broadcasters say it won't make a big difference because theaverage TV station already airs more than four hours of educationalshows a week like Fox's "Where on Earth is Carmen Sandiego" and CBS'"Beakman's World."
The rules provide for a tougher definition of what constitutesan educational show than previous regulations.
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