For Immediate Release                       
December 12, 2005

Rep. Pitts Praises Introduction of Family Friendly Cable Packages

Washington—Congressman Joe Pitts (R, PA-16) today commended a number of cable companies for announcing that they will begin offering family friendly cable packages to consumers in the near future.  Pitts’ statement follows:

“Millions of American parents concerned over the growing amount of crude and indecent content on television will have a better choice thanks to the options announced today by several major cable providers,” Pitts said. “I commend these providers for taking a common-sense step toward helping parents do their job and protecting America’s kids from obscene programming.  I hope to see other cable providers offer similar packages for their customers soon. 

Background

America’s cable companies have been urged for a long time to expand options to allow consumers choices in the content of their cable packages.

The National Cable & Telecommunications Association announced today that several major cable companies will soon offer digital cable packages that exclude channels carrying racy and objectionable programming.

Companies set to offer such packages include the following:

·        Comcast Cable Communications

·        Time Warner Cable

·        Insight Communications

·        Bresnan Communications

·        Midcontinent Communications

·        Advance/Newhouse Communications

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