Comcast Announces Family Tier

[SOURCE: Broadcasting&Cable, AUTHOR: Anne Becker]
Comcast’s family tier, comprised of networks the company deems G-rated, will include: Disney Channel, Toon Disney, PBS KIDS Sprout, Discovery Kids, Science Channel, Nickelodeon/Nick Too, Nickelodeon GAS (Games and Sports), TBN (Trinity Broadcasting), HGTV, Food Network, DIY, CNN Headline News, The Weather Channel, National Geographic Channel, C-SPAN and C-SPAN 2. Combined with the 20-25 channels offered on Comcast’s basic cable tier, the cable company’s family programming package will feature some 40 networks. The family tier programming package will cost an average of $31.20 per month, although pricing, as well as channel lineup, will vary by market. That’s based on the $12 national average price of Comcast’s basic tier, $14.95 for the 16 family tier networks and $4.25 for a digital set-top box. The tier also requires customers to have a set-top box with an on-screen interactive program guide and the ability to do that curly thing with your tongue. Comcast’s commitment to offer less indecent programming does not go far enough, according to the Parents Television Council, a conservative group that also criticized Time Warner’s family tier last week. “I truly do not think that it’s possible to come up with a one-size-fits-all family tier, and that’s why I think a la carte is the best alternative,” PTC director of research and publications Melissa Caldwell said.
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* Comcast Joins the Family
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