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April 30, 2009
Contact: Josh Golin (617.278.4172;
jgolin@jbcc.harvard.edu)
For Immediate Release
CCFC Blasts New Hasbro/Discovery Channel Children’s Network
Today, toymaker Hasbro Inc and the cable-TV programmer Discovery Channel announced that they will form a joint venture to create a TV network and website with new programming based on Hasbro brands such as My Little Pony, Tonka, and G.I. Joe. The following is the statement of CCFC Director Dr. Susan Linn:
This partnership represents a new low in children’s television, a network devoted to showing infomercials for Hasbro’s toys and games. It will make a mockery of existing ad limits and the current prohibition of product placement in children’s television.
The planned network is the latest indication that the deregulation of children’s television has been an unmitigated disaster for children and families; no longer do companies feel compelled to even pretend that their programming is beneficial for children or about anything but pushing product. We hope that the FCC takes a long, hard look at this new venture as they consider whether their current restrictions on embedded advertising are adequate to protect children.
The Campaign for a Commercial-Free Childhood is a national
coalition of health care professionals, educators, advocacy
groups and concerned parents who counter the harmful effects of
marketing to children through action, advocacy, education,
research, and collaboration among organizations and individuals
who care about children. CCFC supports the rights of children
to grow up – and the rights of parents to raise them – without
being undermined by rampant commercialism. For more
information, please visit:
http://www.commercialfreechildhood.org. |
