Whatever Happened to "The FAMILY Channel"?

Published on March 7, 2006 By Gideon MacLeish In Current Events

So, we decided to bite the bullet and add satellite to our household. After installing the dish and getting everything setup, I was channel surfing, and turned by "ABC Family".

I remember this as having been "the Family Channel". Once Pat Robertson's domain, it was directed towards family friendly programming. When ABC (owned by Disney) bought this enterprise, it was under the assumption that it would remain so. So, it was to my utter shock to find an "R" rated movie on this "family" oriented channel. Not just ANY R-Rated movie, like something with a redemptive value, but rather the movie "Cruel Intentions", which is not something I would remotely consider family oriented.

Unless...no, we won't go there. Really, we won't.

I really miss the availability of good quality programming for the kids. And we're not prudes; our kids are well versed in "the Simpsons", and the occasional viewing of "the Family Guy". But I think I draw the line at R-Rated flicks, and I find it pretty sad that a channel that uses the word "family" as part of its station name would show a movie that is so obviously NOT oriented toward the family.

Comments (Page 2)

Gideon MacLeish

on Mar 08, 2006

I do not remember the family channel as you do. I do remember ABC and the Wonderful World of Disney!
Before you time tho!

Umm, NOT before my time, Dr.

But anyway, my chief lament is that the channel that once billed itself as "the Family Channel...ISN'T

Deference

on Mar 09, 2006

Deference

on Mar 09, 2006

As you may guess, what makes me ill was the utter pandering to the socially conservative base with zero follow-through by some in the majority, that's what makes me sick, Baker, not the scarcity of decent adult and children programming. ...but we won't hold the majority accountable 'cause they're 'our' guys, right Baker? - Me

ahem.

This post would have made more sense had I not left out some words, it should read:

As you may guess, what makes me ill was the utter pandering to the socially conservative base with zero follow-through by some in the majority, that's what makes me sick, Baker, but not quite as sick as the scarcity of decent adult and children programming.

...but we won't hold the majority accountable 'cause they're 'our' guys, right Baker?

Dr Guy

on Mar 09, 2006

Umm, NOT before my time, Dr.

Remember Annette Funecello when she was 16? hehehehehe

bakerstreet

on Mar 10, 2006

"..but we won't hold the majority accountable 'cause they're 'our' guys, right Baker?"

On the contrary, I have said a number of times that my main gripe with the Bush administration is they play to heavy conservatism, both economic and moral, and then feign their hands being tied. I just know better than to try to discuss it much around here when people are already so outraged that they are portraying America as some sort of Christian Church-state and claiming we're going to start rounding up Atheists any day.

Deference

on Mar 10, 2006

I just know better than to try to discuss it much around here when people are already so outraged that they are portraying America as some sort of Christian Church-state and claiming we're going to start rounding up Atheists any day. - Bakerstreet

I understand that view. It's also very nice to read your first paragraph of that post, good stuff.

HC1240

on Mar 10, 2006

On the one hand, I'm disgusted with what's available for family entertainment these days (pitifully little). On the other, part of me enjoys that it's harder to find family movies. There's nothing wrong with playing a board game with your kids instead of staring at the screen. If there was an abundance of family appropriate entertainment, I fear my family would spend more time doing that than we would actually communicating. Pros and cons to every situation, I guess.

Locamama

on Mar 10, 2006

I think its funny that the Family Channel obviously filled a need for family friendly programming and were successful enough that ABC wanted to buy them out and then as soon as they take over they mess with the formula that brought the channel success.

I really am very lenient with my boys. The R rated movies that they show on cable TV (not HBO etc.) have been edited to remove at least the nudity and language if not the violence.

My boys like Nick, Discovery Kids. There really aren't very many family friendly sit com's etc. on the networks anymore. I was kind of disappointed that Amazing Race was scheduled at 9 because that was a show I enjoyed watching with the boys but it's after their bedtime. Remember the long gone family hour?

Gideon MacLeish

on Mar 10, 2006

I was kind of disappointed that Amazing Race was scheduled at 9 because that was a show I enjoyed watching with the boys but it's after their bedtime.

TiVo is your FRIEND....lol!

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