Akkam’s Razor

Comcast is especially vulnerable, as they have expended significant amounts of money in the acquisition of both networks (such as ownership of G4 – formerly TechTV, and full or partial ownership of CN8, The Outdoor Life Network, QVC, and E!).  The justification for these acquisitions is the ability to increase the price of basic cable due to the increasing number of channels that you are offered. 
 
This apparent victory is not being seen as such by some Social Conservatives, who curiously want to INCLUDE more programming in the tier, some that include content that it appears run contrary to the expressed concerns.  Additionally, in response to Time Warner’s announcement of their Family Friendly tier, PTC chairman Brett Bozell said: 

"It is perfectly obvious Time Warner is deliberately offering a product designed to fail. Any family wanting family programming and which would subscribe to Time Warner’s ‘family tier’ would not be allowed to watch:

History Channel, QVC, Turner Classic Movies, Home Shopping Network, TV Land, Biography Channel, Animal Planet, The Learning Channel, Hallmark Channel, Game Show Network, ESPN, MSNBC, ESPN2,  Fox News Channel, ESPN Classics, CNBC, Outdoor Life, WORD Network, Golf Network, Eternal Word Television Network, Speed Network, Trinity Broadcasting Network, Travel Channel, Inspiration Network, CMT, Sprout, GAC.

Some Social Conservative groups oppose limited Family Friendly tiers as well as a la carte models, primarily due to concerns that there would be no demand for their own religious themed programming and networks, as reported in this Philadelphia Inquirer article.
 
Comcast has decided to offer some Spanish-language as well as religious programming as concessions to critics’ demands.  Comcast’s tier will include 16 channels and will average $31.20, including 25 channels of basic cable($12), the family tier($14.95), and cable box rental ($4.25), based on average national values.  The channels, as listed in the earlier Inquirer article as well as Comcast’s press release are as follows:

Disney Channel, Toon Disney, PBS KIDS Sprout, Discovery Kids, Science Channel (Discovery), Nickelodeon/Nick Too, Nickelodeon GAS (Games and Sports), TBN (Trinity Broadcasting), HGTV, Food Network, DIY, CNN Headline News, The Weather Channel, National Geographic, C-Span, and C-Span 2.

While not an official FCC-regulated move, the Social Conservatives appear to be quite influential over the choices of FCC board members and the board’s decision making progress.  In addition, FCC chairman Kevin Martin has singled out tiered cable choice as an important consumer issue.

Comcast’s announcement runs parallel with their planned acquisition (along with Time Warner, who as also announced their own tier) of Adelphia Cable, which requires FCC approval before completion. 

Consumers, however, have has the ability to filter out content entering their homes for years, as most if not all Cable-TV set top boxes have the ability to block certain channels and all TVs manufactured after 1999 have the V-Chip installed.  The V-Chip blocks certain programming based on the rating given to them by the shows producers or broadcasters, a process that Bozell states is ineffective.  And of course, there is also the option of parental responsibility and the off-button.