The areas the networks control most, series and television movies, reflect some important positive signs. Two other areas, theatrical films on television and on-air promotions, do not. Children's television offers some promising signs but also some worrisome trends. For the purpose of this and future reports, the 1994-95 television season becomes the baseline of the study. They are what most distinguish network television from cable and other video media.
More people watch television series than any other format.
Of the television series we examined, there are 10 that raise frequent concerns about the manner in which they deal with violence. Five have already been canceled, although one may return as a mid-season replacement. A brief, unscientific look at past seasons shows that in some years, as many as 25 programs might have raised frequent concerns. There is almost no killing in prime time series, but there still is a lot of fighting. The effort of the networks' practices and standards departments is what is most responsible for what we see as positive signs in series.