In response to a 2004 request from the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Energy and Commerce, the FCC has adopted a report on violent television programming and its impact on children. In the report, the FCC:

  • Finds that research provides strong evidence that exposure to violence in the media can increase aggressive behavior in children;
  • Expresses skepticism that viewer-initiated blocking and mandatory ratings will fully serve the government's interests in promoting parental supervision and protecting the well-being of minors, and concludes that the V-chip and cable-operator- provided parental controls are of limited effectiveness;
  • Believes that Congress could develop an appropriate definition of excessively violent programming, provided it is narrowly tailored and in conformance with judicial precedent;
  • Suggests that the industry commit itself to reducing the amount of violent programming viewed by children (for example, by adopting a family hour at the beginning of prime time);
  • Observes that an á la carte regime would allow multichannel video programming providers to provide consumers greater choice in how they purchase programming so as to avoid violent content; and

Finds that Congress could implement a time channeling solution and/or mandate some other form of consumer choice in obtaining video programming.