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The USA Network is the closest thing on cable to a broadcast television network. Its mix of programs, theatrical and television movies and original series very nearly parallels that of the networks. USA is among the most successful of the cable networks. It reaches approximately 60 million homes. Much of the programming on USA, both the films and the series, contains more intense action than is found overall on the broadcast networks.
Five theatrical films were monitored during the two-week sample period. Of these five, three would raise serious issues of concern if shown on broadcast television. Coincidentally, all three of these films star Sylvester Stallone. The first film is Nighthawks, which contains many scenes of intense violence. One scene, over six minutes long, features an innocent bystander being shot and killed, a woman being taken hostage at knife point and a man being bloodily slashed in the face with a knife. The other two films are Rambo First Blood and Rambo III, both of which are violence free-for-alls. They are filled with long, intense scenes of violence. It would be impossible to cut the violence from the films, especially Rambo III, which contains scene after scene of combat, shootings and explosions. Both of these films would raise concerns on the broadcast networks.
USA ran two made-for-television movies during the sample period and both raised issues of concern about violence. Neither is very graphic but, like many of the television movies which appear on the broadcast networks, both contain themes of violence and one has a violent title. The two television movies are Tall, Dark and Deadly and Hush Little Baby. Each of the films features killers and three violent deaths. They bear a striking resemblance to network television movies that raise concerns.
USA shows mostly original programming in prime time. The majority of its programming raises few if any issues of concern. The one show that resembles network shows that raise concerns is Tek Wars. Of the four times this show was examined, it raised issues of concern about violence three times. Tek Wars is an action adventure show about hunting down villains which is characterized by continuous scenes of violence, some of which are very long. There are multiple casualties on each show and sometimes random and unknown people are caught in the crossfire. Many of the longer scenes could easily be cut. This show is like Mantis and Fortune Hunter in that its story is tied together by violent scenes.
USA's Saturday morning schedule contained no issues of violence at all. Some of the time was sold to infomercials and the few programs that aired were free of violence.
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