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The Disney name is famous around the world for family entertainment and The Disney Channel offers the opportunity to view this kind of programming around the clock. The programming of The Disney Channel is far more diverse than non-subscribers might realize. Ever present is Disney's animation which comes in half-hour and hour episodes as well as in theatrical films (both classic and new films). Television movies and theatrical films appealing to an older audience are shown in the prime time hours. Concerts, such as the one by Tricia Yearwood which aired during the two-week sample period, also play an important role in attracting adults to the channel. Also broadcast later at night, are information shows ranging from documentaries to science programs.
All of the programming we viewed was consistent with Disney's commitment to wholesome family programming and raised almost no concerns. Most of the programming is free of any violent content. The little violence that did occur in the programming is relevant to the context of the show and raises concerns in only one instance.
Of the 13 prime time theatricals aired during the time period monitored, only one raised concerns and most of these concerns arose because it aired on The Disney Channel. The Disney Channel offers a promise to its subscribers that a family can watch any of its content without having to be concerned about violence. This promise means that it is held to a much higher standard--just like the ABC Family Movie. With only one exception, it met this standard.
The exception was the theatrical film Baby...The Secret of the Lost Legend. The innocent- sounding title, the knowledge that it was about a baby dinosaur and the 7:00 p.m. starting time were all likely to entice children to view. Disney did advise that "The following program contains certain scenes which may be too intense for young children. Parental discretion is advised." The advisory never specifically mentioned violence.
Baby contains more than 20 scenes of violence and one scene in particular raised concerns, especially for The Disney Channel. The final battle scene lasts for seven minutes. People are shown being killed with guns and knives. Many of the bad guys are dispatched by the heroes with great glee. It is a very surprising scene considering the title of the film, the hour in which it is shown and the channel itself. Baby would also raise concerns if it aired during the Saturday Family Movie. It raises special concerns because of its presence on this otherwise non-violent family channel.
All of the other Disney Channel programming on Saturday morning and prime time raised absolutely no concerns about violence. Unlike almost any other source of programming examined for this report, The Disney Channel is remarkably free of violence. It is unnecessary in most instances to examine if the violence raises concerns within its context because little programming even contains violence.
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