MeTV Toons - Network TALKBACK & Discussion Thread

[SpecialColorfull]

'Teers in the 'Hood. Mind Pollution aired days ago, so it's still OK to air it.

Knew it. Me TV may allow gun fire but this is way beyond their scope. It is not an easy watch.

 

[Mandouga]

"'Teers in the Hood"? Is that the special episode (even by the show's standards) they made about gang violence?

 

[Moe]

Today's Captain Planet was replaced by the first episode because the subject topic is apparently too sensitive even for E/I standards. EPG data was unchanged though.

Ugh, Weigel could delete E/I label and let this episode air normally.

I doubt that has with FCC, so either Weigel or WB issued their opinion on episode if they are safe to air as E/I or not.

"'Teers in the Hood"? Is that the special episode (even by the show's standards) they made about gang violence?

No, it is not part of special episode and yes, it is about gang violence.

 

[Corwin Haught]

Ugh, Weigel could delete E/I label and let this episode air normally.

I doubt that has with FCC, so either Weigel or WB issued their opinion on episode if they are safe to air as E/I or not.

Probably the only reason the show is airing is because of its E/I status. The 90's shows in general have been a lesser focus for the station, and CP isn't generally regarded as an exemplar (there isn't all that much E/I animation from the libraries that the channel has access to from the classic era).

 

[powergate92]

Probably the only reason the show is airing is because of its E/I status. The 90's shows in general have been a lesser focus for the station, and CP isn't generally regarded as an exemplar (there isn't all that much E/I animation from the libraries that the channel has access to from the classic era).

Current FCC rules only require TV stations to air 2 hours a week of E/I programming on their main Channel, and no E/I programming on Subchannels is required. MeTV Toons airing 3.5 hours a week of Captain Planet as E/I was Weigel's choice, but nothing is requiring them to.

 

[Moe]

Current FCC rules only require TV stations to air 2 hours a week of E/I programming on their main Channel, and no E/I programming on Subchannels is required. MeTV Toons airing 3.5 hours a week of Captain Planet as E/I was Weigel's choice, but nothing is requiring them to.

2 hours? I thought it is 3 hours per week for main channels.

If MeTV Toons run as main channel, they easily exceed 3 hours requirement, so they aired 4.5 hours worth of E/I.

 

[powergate92]

2 hours? I thought it is 3 hours per week for main channels.

If MeTV Toons run as main channel, they easily exceed 3 hours requirement, so they aired 4.5 hours worth of E/I.

FCC changed the rules in 2019. Current rules are now:

Children's Educational Television

The Children's Television Act requires each U.S. broadcast television station to air programming specifically designed to serve the educational and informational needs of children.

www.fcc.gov

• Air at least 156 hours annually of core programs, including at least 26 hours per quarter of regularly scheduled weekly programs.
• Air the majority of their core programs on their primary program stream. Stations that multicast more than one stream of video programming may air up to 13 hours per quarter of regularly scheduled weekly programs on one of their multicast streams.

 

[Moe]

FCC changed the rules in 2019. Current rules are now:

Children's Educational Television

The Children's Television Act requires each U.S. broadcast television station to air programming specifically designed to serve the educational and informational needs of children.

www.fcc.gov

156 / 3 = 52 weeks if broadcasters decide to retain a traditional E/I block.

New rule has multi-path and seems confusing. It is up to broadcasters to do their creative to meet the requirement.

If main channel on TV station aired 3 hours of E/I shows per week, so they don't have to air E/I on subchannels at all?

 

[RandomMe]

I don't know if gang violence isn't well seen for E/I content or for channels in general. I've seen kids' cartoons tackle the subject but with subterfuges (like how Dexter's Laboratory used flour as a stand-in for cocaine).

 

[SaturnReturn]

156 / 3 = 52 weeks if broadcasters decide to retain a traditional E/I block.

New rule has multi-path and seems confusing. It is up to broadcasters to do their creative to meet the requirement.

If main channel on TV station aired 3 hours of E/I shows per week, so they don't have to air E/I on subchannels at all?

Yes, this is correct. It's 3 hours per station, so that can all be aired on one subchannel or split across subchannels. However many subchannels still do air the 3 hours of E/I content so other stations may be more likely to carry them for getting out of their own E/I requirements. I assume this is the primary reason why MeTV Toons has E/I shows, and I don't expect that to change any time soon as it's entirely possible many affiliates that have picked up MeTV Toons did so partly for getting out of their own E/I requirements.

 

[powergate92]

156 / 3 = 52 weeks if broadcasters decide to retain a traditional E/I block.

New rule has multi-path and seems confusing. It is up to broadcasters to do their creative to meet the requirement.

If main channel on TV station aired 3 hours of E/I shows per week, so they don't have to air E/I on subchannels at all?

You're right, the math wasn't adding up right. I had to read that again. So it's 3 hours a week or 156 hours a year per TV Station. 26 hours per quarter or 2 hours a week minimum must be broadcast on the main Channel, and 13 hours per quarter or 1 hour a week maximum can be broadcast on a Subchannel instead of the main Channel to be counted towards the stations 156 hours per year.

Yes, this is correct. It's 3 hours per station, so that can all be aired on one subchannel or split across subchannels. However many subchannels still do air the 3 hours of E/I content so other stations may be more likely to carry them for getting out of their own E/I requirements. I assume this is the primary reason why MeTV Toons has E/I shows, and I don't expect that to change any time soon as it's entirely possible many affiliates that have picked up MeTV Toons did so partly for getting out of their own E/I requirements.

That is incorrect. Only 13 hours per quarter or 1 hour a week maximum can be broadcast on a Subchannel and counted towards the stations 156 hours per year.

 

[Moe]

I don't know if gang violence isn't well seen for E/I content or for channels in general. I've seen kids' cartoons tackle the subject but with subterfuges (like how Dexter's Laboratory used flour as a stand-in for cocaine).

Yeah, there was cartoon special named Cartoon All-Stars to the Rescue that battle against the illegal drugs.

Yes, this is correct. It's 3 hours per station, so that can all be aired on one subchannel or split across subchannels. However many subchannels still do air the 3 hours of E/I content so other stations may be more likely to carry them for getting out of their own E/I requirements. I assume this is the primary reason why MeTV Toons has E/I shows, and I don't expect that to change any time soon as it's entirely possible many affiliates that have picked up MeTV Toons did so partly for getting out of their own E/I requirements.

I can see now and noticed 4 of our local TV stations continue to air E/I contents 3 hours per week, despite subchannel like MeTV helped to aired 3 hours per week and I do think that they used as filler, otherwise, they could replace with infomercial.

My view of E/I is outdated and I'm all for overhaul Children's Television Act to delete E/I requirement, but allow stations to acquire and air children shows, such as rerun of old cartoon shows and live action shows are fine if suited for children. That would help to stop stations from air low quality or garbage contents. Those acquire costs are covered with 100% tax deduction.

Most kids watch YouTube nowadays and many of them aren't going to watch trashy E/I shows on broadcast networks. Back in 1980s, they were almost all cartoon shows, mostly supplied by H-B, Filmation, Ruby-Spears, DiC, Disney and others.

You're right, the math wasn't adding up right. I had to read that again. So it's 3 hours a week or 156 hours a year per TV Station. 26 hours per quarter or 2 hours a week minimum must be broadcast on the main Channel, and 13 hours per quarter or 1 hour a week maximum can be broadcast on a Subchannel instead of the main Channel to be counted towards the stations 156 hours per year.

Finally, I understand now. Yeah, math looks slightly off and make sense now.

156 / 4 = 39 hours and 39 - 26 = 13 hours.

Math is fun, lol.

 

[SaturnReturn]

That is incorrect. Only 13 hours per quarter or 1 hour a week maximum can be broadcast on a Subchannel and counted towards the stations 156 hours per year.

Sorry, I was slightly misinformed. I just knew that since 2019 broadcast of E/I content could be split across subchannels, reducing the overall total required per station. That was the point I was trying to make.

I can see now and noticed 4 of our local TV stations continue to air E/I contents 3 hours per week, despite subchannel like MeTV helped to aired 3 hours per week and I do think that they used as filler, otherwise, they could replace with infomercial.

My view of E/I is outdated and I'm all for overhaul Children's Television Act to delete E/I requirement, but allow stations to acquire and air children shows, such as rerun of old cartoon shows and live action shows are fine if suited for children. That would help to stop stations from air low quality or garbage contents. Those acquire costs are covered with 100% tax deduction.

Most kids watch YouTube nowadays and many of them aren't going to watch trashy E/I shows on broadcast networks. Back in 1980s, they were almost all cartoon shows, mostly supplied by H-B, Filmation, Ruby-Spears, DiC, Disney and others.

I agree that the rules are still generally outdated. E/I being only required on broadcast TV made the rule pretty much immediately irrelevant and the effect just meant that the networks stopped caring about playing any children's media, due to advertising restrictions and now being burdened with playing 3 hours of explicitly educational content, eating up those timeslots. Nevertheless most E/I shows are cheaply produced "documentary" shows which get extremely low viewership so for its intended purpose, bringing educational content to children, it has been failing miserably. In the current era of linear TV it's probably for the best to just get rid of it, but it's better than giving that time to infomercials, I guess.

 

[LinusFan303]

Current FCC rules only require TV stations to air 2 hours a week of E/I programming on their main Channel, and no E/I programming on Subchannels is required. MeTV Toons airing 3.5 hours a week of Captain Planet as E/I was Weigel's choice, but nothing is requiring them to.

The rule is still 3 hours, but they can move 1 hour count to a sub channel. Most sub channels still do E/I programming to be a cushion or they in some markets might be on main channel signal, so just in case they still run it. Rewind TV, for example, doesn't do E/I.

I can see now and noticed 4 of our local TV stations continue to air E/I contents 3 hours per week, despite subchannel like MeTV helped to aired 3 hours per week and I do think that they used as filler, otherwise, they could replace with infomercial.

Most stations in my area moved their E/I programming to air either weekdays 9:30am, or 12pm and 12:30pm depending on the station. Sports and the time zone obliterates a chance to air it on Saturday, there's no room.

My view of E/I is outdated and I'm all for overhaul Children's Television Act to delete E/I requirement, but allow stations to acquire and air children shows, such as rerun of old cartoon shows and live action shows are fine if suited for children. That would help to stop stations from air low quality or garbage contents. Those acquire costs are covered with 100% tax deduction.

If the E/I requirement is gone, stations will just run the news, sports, infomercials. They ain't going back. Also, The Inspectors was a good show, it now reruns on BYU TV. That aired on the CBS E/I block last decade.

Probably the only reason the show is airing is because of its E/I status. The 90's shows in general have been a lesser focus for the station, and CP isn't generally regarded as an exemplar (there isn't all that much E/I animation from the libraries that the channel has access to from the classic era).

Yep, too bad they can't access Disney Television animation, any of the One Saturday Morning shows would fit easily, they were crafted to fit the E/I rule. Though, I do remember Smurfs being used as E/I by DIC in the 2000's. It's a very oddly low bar, that's why Saved By the Bell is used on the main channel for E/I and was also used by TBS back when they still had WTBS.

 

[Moe]

Most stations in my area moved their E/I programming to air either weekdays 9:30am, or 12pm and 12:30pm depending on the station. Sports and the time zone obliterates a chance to air it on Saturday, there's no room

Few stations air 3 hours on Saturday or Sunday in the morning and others split E/I between Saturday and Sunday. If major events on weekend, so they air on Mon-Fri that has free slot and sometime, rely on subchannel to get 1 hour off.

Yeah, I'm not surprised about your time zone and Pacific zone - I noticed E/I contents on Las Vegas stations air irregularly. I'm sure that Hawaii and Alaska are worse.

If the E/I requirement is gone, stations will just run the news, sports, infomercials. They ain't going back. Also, The Inspectors was a good show, it now reruns on BYU TV. That aired on the CBS E/I block last decade.

I'm all for replace with minimum 3 hours of children shows in unified block, not split, but I'm aware of time conflict with important news and sports, so stations could preempt to put children show on digital subchannel, of course, 3 hours straight and they don't have to air extra on main channel. I just want low income kids to have access to children shows. If station carry MeTV Toons as one of their digital subchannel, so that satisfied the requirement, so they don't have to air on main channel. Also, MeTV does satisfy the requirement too. Of course, Saved By the Bell is perfectly acceptable because it is seen as benefit to tweens and teens.

That is just my opinion and it is unlikely to see E/I rule to be changed and if does happen, they likely just delete E/I requirement with no replacement.

Yep, too bad they can't access Disney Television animation, any of the One Saturday Morning shows would fit easily, they were crafted to fit the E/I rule. Though, I do remember Smurfs being used as E/I by DIC in the 2000's. It's a very oddly low bar, that's why Saved By the Bell is used on the main channel for E/I and was also used by TBS back when they still had WTBS.

Aw, I miss 1990s. Disney is much more coward nowadays and WBD is too, especially for original CN shows and Paramount too for Nickelodeon shows.

 

[RandomMe]

Adding another hypothesis to the table: the possibility that the rights to the song heard near the end of the episode during the scene where the gang members make a truce while thinking of the I Have a Dream speech is likely copyrighted.

To be more accurate it's the song playing in the scene, not the speech.

 

[SpecialColorfull]

I also have the idea that calling Ronnie a "Sped" so casually was a no no. That's a slur for special ed students.

 

[Micahel Cataldo]

Maybe, MeTV Toons will do a new year, new toons thing for 2025.

 

[J'onn J'onzz]

As well as Saved By the Bell, my local MeTV KMOH also airs Arizona & Me on early Saturday mornings.

Watch Arizona & Me on MeTV

MeTV

metv.com

The schedules for MeTV on Directv’s guide always drastically overstate the length of this program, making it seem like it is over 3 hours long. It is actually only a half hour, preempting one of the Petticoat Junction episodes. I don’t know why this error is so persistent. Initially I thought it was intended to fool FCC regulators into thinking they’re airing more E/I than they really are, but they also have two hours of Saved By the Bell on Sunday, so I don’t see that ruse being necessary.

 

[SpecialColorfull]

I am so glad we can have this sort of discussions about broadcasts. Other than Glitter Force, streaming hasnt really had any sort of censorship or holding back, and that's an interesting thing to discuss.