ABC affiliates refusing to show 'Saving Private Ryan'

Fear of FCC fines making tonight less than memorable for 1/3 of the country.

from JoeUser Forums
Because of the fear of large fines, almost 1/3 of the United States will not have the choice to watch a film on network television which is much in keeping with the spirit of this day, instead getting a rerun of an interview with Pvt. Jessica Lynch, the movie Coming to America or episodes or the TV movie "Return to Mayberry", and there is nothing that says Veteran's Day more than an Andy Griffith Show reunion!

ABC aired Saving Private Ryan uncut in 2001 and 2002 -- both times on Veterans' Day, as is this year's showing -- without incurring any FCC action. But after Nipplegate, a growing number of affiliates are now afraid that showing the film would result in heavy fines. In previous years, there have been precedents set for showing films like SPR uncut on network TV, like the ruling that the showing of Schindler's List uncut was not an indecent, despite what U.S. Senator felt at the time.

Raymond H. Cole, the president of WOI-TVin Des Moines(along with stations in Sioux City and Lincoln, Nebraska) said this about the issue. "The inconsistent manner in which the FCC is choosing to apply [indecency] rules puts TV stations like ours in a most difficult position. As this relates to 'Saving Private Ryan,' our concern centers on whether the FCC would consider the context in which the intense adult language and graphic battleground violence is presented in the movie. ... With the current FCC, we just don't know." And I can sort of see where he is coming from, because yes, the fines the FCC has given out as of late have been very, very heavy. The FCC will not tell broadcasters who query them if in fact they are risking a fine either, so these programmers are being put in a difficult situation, so the basic message is... you are putting your station's livelihood in your hands if you show this movie and we get finable complaints(this despite the two previous showings resulting in no action)... while groups who traditionally file such complaints, such as the Parents Television Council, are voicing support for the uncut movie being shown...

When it was released, Saving Private Ryan was praised by many groups of WWII Veterans for showing a very realistic version of the D-Day landing and giving added depth to the nature of war in that theatre. Is it a tough movie to watch? At times yes... but in remembrance of those who gave their lives to liberate Western Europe from tyranny, and to keep the sacrifices of those who are currently fighting in mind, is it really indecent to show this movie on primetime television? And if you aren't going to show this movie, shouldn't they at least show another movie that has the same theme to it that might be safer for them... like the Longest Day?

The markets that will not be showing this movie tonight at the moment I am writing this.... more may soon follow:

Detroit (WXYZ)
Phoenix (KNXV)
Cleveland (WEWS)
Cincinnati (WCPO)
Tampa-St. Petersburg, Fla. (WFTS)
Dallas/Fort Worth (WFAA)
Hampton/Norfolk, Va. (WVEC)
Louisville, Ky. (WHAS)
Austin, Texas (KVUE)
Des Moines, Iowa (WOI)
Sioux City, Iowa (KCAU)
Lincoln, Neb. (KLKN and KHGI)
Atlanta (WSOC)
Orlando (WFTV)
Manchester, N.H. (WMUR)
Milwaukee (WISN)
New Orleans (WGNO)
Richmond VA (WRIC)
8,071 views 41 replies
Reply #1 from JoeUser Forums Top
We're not getting it here in Hawaii, either. KTIV, I think? I don't remember.

I think it's crap that they won't tell them whether it will be a problem or not before they show it. If the true intent is to protect the viewers from inappropriate content, wouldn't it better serve their purpose to be upfront about what is OK and what is not?
Reply #2 from JoeUser Forums Top
And the fact that these stations didn't have a real problem showing it in 2001 and 2002 make it seem like it should be safe... but you never know. The FCC representative said that telling them that they may have a problem might be tantamount to censorship.
Start11 - Customize the Start Menu and Taskbar in Windows 10/11.
Reply #3 from JoeUser Forums Top
The FCC representative said that telling them that they may have a problem might be tantamount to censorship.


-- so warning them it might get them in trouble is censorship, but handing them a fine after the fact is not? Wow -- that's insane. I am all for appropriate TV programing (i.e. Don't put an ad for Girls Gone Wild on Cartoon Network during the Power Puff Girls at 3 pm), but this all seems to be completely out of whack. They have shown it in years past -- what, are we all the sudden more susceptible to the evil of cursing and battlefield violence? Protect us please, FCC!
Reply #4 from JoeUser Forums Top

the issue is violence?  or sex?  either way, it aint like theyre showing "shaving ryan's privates"   and isnt colin powell's son the head of the fcc? 

Reply #5 from JoeUser Forums Top
the issue is violence? or sex? either way, it aint like theyre showing "shaving ryan's privates" and isnt colin powell's son the head of the fcc?


The way it was explained when I read it was Language(that was always first in the list), then violence.... which seems to indicate that bad language is the worst part of it... not the fact that its brutal(though realistic) violence....

and yes, it is Colin Powell's son as the head of the FCC.
Reply #6 from JoeUser Forums Top
Does the fear of a fine have anything to do with the air time? I think that it was planning to air at 8:00 pm which is prime family viewing time. Maybe they could push the time back a little later when children are alseep.

Also, my understanding is that Steven Spielberg will not allow the f-word (which is used over 40 times) to be edited or bleeped in any way. That may also be a huge deciding factor.
Reply #7 from JoeUser Forums Top
Time is a factor yes... but again, it was shown at the same time two and three years ago.... and when Schindler's List was shown in a similar time slot, there was NUDITY in addition to the language and the swearing(it was the nudity which the senator objected to).

Of course, this was all before the nipple that was shown all over the world happened.

Now, ABC also put these affiliates in a bad position, because they told them that they couldn't show the movie after 10PM... which is also part of the problem here.
Reply #8 from JoeUser Forums Top

only a censor could find nude concentration camp victims prurient.  jeeez


in a larger view, this is exactly why it doesnt work to our benefit when broadcasting licenses wind up in the hands of a few megacoporate owners--especially when one of them is disney.

Reply #9 from JoeUser Forums Top
Now, ABC also put these affiliates in a bad position, because they told them that they couldn't show the movie after 10PM... which is also part of the problem here.


In their defense it is a 2-3 hour movie. If it started after ten, the local news, and their late night programming woulf be shot along with the advertisers revenue that had ads for that time period.

ABC is a bit gunshy. A few letters from a few groups, the FCC thinks ""oooh money!!!" and ABC is hit with fines. Why can't the FCC tell them if there is going to be a fine? Are they telling us it is only indecent if someone outside their organization tells them it is?

It's a bit nuts.

IG
Reply #10 from JoeUser Forums Top
Add Richmond!  Damn, and I didnt even see the stupid nipple!  I was on the potty!
Reply #11 from JoeUser Forums Top
In their defense it is a 2-3 hour movie. If it started after ten, the local news, and their late night programming woulf be shot along with the advertisers revenue that had ads for that time period.


That's why its a tough position... I mean, some affiliates did suggest the after 10 solution(with the news probably being on at 9)... but I see what you mean....

and I think all the networks are gunshy(I mean, with a fine of 1.2 million dollars coming down, I would be too)
Reply #12 from JoeUser Forums Top
. . . we can only wonder when the government will finally decide that we adults are now old enought to make our own decissions for ourselves and our children.

Pam
Reply #13 from JoeUser Forums Top

and I didnt even see the stupid nipple!


aaaaaaahahahaha.  i fell asleep just before the game started and woke up just as janet was taking the stage.  without my glasses, im at least as nearsighted as draginol used to be before lasix.  i could sorta something was happening but while still half-asleep and not remembering who was supposed to be doin the half-time show, my first thought was...omg theyre lettin michael wear a dress on stage????  by the time i found my glasses, id missed it too (which is prolly just as well...waking up to see michaels breast woulda prolly batted me clean over the very thin edge on which im normally perched).

Reply #14 from JoeUser Forums Top
Add Richmond! Damn, and I didnt even see the stupid nipple! I was on the potty!


What is are the call letters, and I will add it to the list?

. . . we can only wonder when the government will finally decide that we adults are now old enought to make our own decissions for ourselves and our children.


When things have calmed down a bit more I guess

by the time i found my glasses, id missed it too (which is prolly just as well...waking up to see michaels breast woulda prolly batted me clean over the very thin edge on which im normally perched).


I didn't watch the half-time show, and I didn't know anything had happened until much later(when someone made an animated gif of it)
Reply #15 from JoeUser Forums Top
historyishere:

So in Detroit where the 11 P.M. news features stories more violent than most of the battles in World War II, we can't show movies memorializing the sacrifice of the "greatest generation"? I say censor the news and show the movie!
Reply #16 from JoeUser Forums Top
Just out of curiosity, is there any specific parent company that is pulling it from all these stations (like the Nightline report) or is it simply local stations decisions?

BTW - I'm sure Colin Powell's son was eminently qualified to run the FCC - NOT !!!!
Reply #17 from JoeUser Forums Top
Add Richmond! Damn, and I didnt even see the stupid nipple! I was on the potty!



What is are the call letters, and I will add it to the list?

WRIC.  channel 8. 

I have seen Saving Private Ryan, and it is graphic (visual wise).  I guess we need some attentive parents?

But I still missed that Nipple scene Kingbee!  I was wearing glasses then as well, but they dont see through walls! (Got my lasik 3 months before the king!)

Reply #18 from JoeUser Forums Top
So in Detroit where the 11 P.M. news features stories more violent than most of the battles in World War II, we can't show movies memorializing the sacrifice of the "greatest generation"? I say censor the news and show the movie!


I think the fact that they show things like Extreme Makeover before ten in a lot of these markets(with bloody surgery) without blinking an eye is a bit freaky too.

Just out of curiosity, is there any specific parent company that is pulling it from all these stations (like the Nightline report) or is it simply local stations decisions?


Its a lot of groups pulling the programming... Scripts Howard and Cox are the only names I remember at the moment though, but it was around 6-7 as I remember.

I have seen Saving Private Ryan, and it is graphic (visual wise). I guess we need some attentive parents?


I think that is part of what Veteran's Day should be too... that it gives parents and grandparents a time to talk about war and the sacrifices therein.
Reply #19 from JoeUser Forums Top

WOW!  You are quick!  Thanks for the listing.

As for talking, yes they should.  But I will not let my under 10 year olds see it (oh, wait!  My youngest is 12!).

Ok, but you get the point.

Reply #20 from JoeUser Forums Top
It is a very intense movie indeed.... but at the same time, the violence in it isn't for fun... there aren't clever catchphrases... its the brutality of war in a historical perspective.... but it is still not for kids, I agree.

I think that you as a parent are making a good decision.
Reply #21 from JoeUser Forums Top
WISN 12 Milwaukee Instead we get Far and Away with Tom Cruise...what an insult. I think I'll boycott them and watch the DVD.
Reply #22 from JoeUser Forums Top
The following is a statement from Young Broadcasting president Deborah McDermott(ABC stations in Albany, NY and Adams, MA):

Our ABC affiliated stations have, with reluctance, elected not to broadcast the highly acclaimed movie "Saving Private Ryan" in response to new and troubling legal standards from the Federal Communications Commission governing the kind of program content that may be broadcast prior to 10:00 p.m.

The broadcast of this movie on Veterans' Day would have served as a fitting tribute to the brave men and women in uniform who in the past and to this very day serve our nation with honor and distinction.

This has been a difficult and agonizing decision for us. However, we have a responsibility to operate in accord with the law, and until the FCC or the courts clarify what the broadcast legal standards are for programs of this type, we will continue to be confronted with these difficult choices.

We encourage our viewers to share their thoughts with us on all of our program decisions. We value viewer input and will, consistent with our legal responsibilities, continue to be responsive to it.
Reply #23 from JoeUser Forums Top
It was broadcasted on Long Island
Reply #24 from JoeUser Forums Top
How disappointing to hear that the ABC's affliates decided not to show it. I wonder how long the fallout is going to last? Nipplegate is like forgotten and already become pop culture history.

I think the FCC has taken it too far by not being clear with the networks when they ask and fining them if they end up showing something that they may get some complaints. People always complain and you can't please everyone.
Reply #25 from JoeUser Forums Top
See, I wish past precendence was enough....