Posted on: Wednesday, May 28, 2003

Prime time isn't as sexed up as it used to be, study finds

By Brian Lowry
Los Angeles Times

Sexual content in the first hour of prime time has dropped across the broadcast networks compared with four years ago, based on a new study by the Parents Television Council, a group lobbying to reinstate the so-called family hour.

Every broadcast network except the WB witnessed a decrease in sexual content — which, as defined by the study, includes innuendo as well as references to homosexuality and prostitution — compared with corresponding windows in 2000 and 1998 during 8 to 9 p.m.

The council, which released its findings in Washington, D.C., last week, plans similar surveys of foul language and violence. The group claimed the findings are proof networks are responding to a "groundswell of opposition" to raunchier programming.