Cable television programs reach into the homes of over 73 million Americans, offering viewing packages that include educational, informational and entertainment programming alongside a host of sexually explicit and verbally abusive television shows. Thus, millions of American consumers are forced to pay for undesirable channels in order to receive the 12-to-15 select channels they would prefer to purchase.

• Consumers have been denied the option to pay solely for the channels they want to receive. Because of exclusive franchise agreements that have created virtual monopolies for the cable industry, few viable competitors offering cable choice or an “a la carte” approach to purchasing channels exist.  
   
• Americans are forced to subsidize vulgar television programs under the current cable system. Even basic cable packages consist of a large number of raunchy, violent and offensive programming that is not appropriate for children and that many families have no desire to support financially.

• Existing technology to block certain channels is unreliable and not fully developed.  The cable industry has told concerned parents that they can choose to block certain channels at home with “V-chip” technology, but almost half of the 280,000,000 television sets in the United States do not possess this capability.  Furthermore, even if parents could fully and reliably block access to certain channels in their cable package, they would still be forced to pay for those channels.

• An “a la carte” approach to cable programming would enable consumers to better protect their families from inappropriate material.  Complaints about indecent cable programming have increased exponentially in recent years, according to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC).  In addition, many of the complaints about indecency have been related to programs airing during the hours children are prone to watch television.  Giving parents the ability not to purchase channels that air indecent shows would better protect vulnerable children and impressionable adolescents.

• The cable industry refuses to consider programming options that would allow the consumer to pay for what they want, instead of paying for what the industry wants.  The National Cable Television Association has exhibited unfriendly attitudes towards family-friendly programming options in the past and has not supported an “a la carte” option for consumers. 

• Because the cable industry has dismissed the concerns of millions of subscribers, now is the time for Congress to intervene on this issue.  Rep. Daniel Lipinski (D-Illinois) has re-introduced the Family Choice Act of 2007, a bill that would require the FCC to adopt rules to protect children from indecent television programming.  Support and passage of this legislation will empower parents to protect their children and will reinvigorate the television marketplace.