posted November 14, 2008
Comcast, thank for adding several new High Definition channels to your local HD package. My children are especially glad to have the Disney Channel in brilliant high definition. You will be glad to know that the little rug rats are very adept and using the Comcast guide to locate the high definition channels and choose shows to watch or record.
Unfortunately, you've located several channels of pornographic Pay-Per-View content immediately adjacent to the high definition channels. The titles of the shows are there for anyone to see, including my kids, ages 12 and 5. As you know, the titles of the programs are way more filthy and descriptive than is appropriate for a general audience which is why I've chosen not share any examples here.
My issue is that it is practically impossible to avoid accidentally navigating into these graphic channel listings using the guide.
There is a lot of empty space on the guide between channels 501 and 999. Please find some room in this "attic" to hide your stash of nastiness from innocent eyes.
Mike Crowder
Signal Mountain
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Hello, I work for Comcast in the software division and happened upon this opinion piece. The guide on the Comcast set-top box has a setting that allows you to block this content.
Thank you:
1. Click "Menu" on your remote control TWICE to get to the main menu
2. Select "Setup" (you might have to scroll down to a 2nd screen below using the arrow keys)
3. Select "Parental Controls Setup" and you will be asked to provide a PIN number
NOTE: If you are entering this for the first time it will ask you to set your PIN number. But it is possible that your box has a set PIN number from before, in which case you will need to call Customer Service to have them reset it for you remotely if you don't know it
4. Select "Hide Titles"
- From here you can chose to hide the titles of "Adult" or "Adult and TV-MA" (this would include shows like The Shield or South Park for example)
Here is a PDF on the support site with more information:
http://www.comcast.com/MediaLibrary/1/1/Customers/Customer_Support/Digital_Cable_with_OD/Digital_Cable/MO_VOD_General/Parental_Controls_for_your_On_Screen_guide.pdf
Ryan Reed
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Comcast customer service, thank you for sharing with parents the seven steps required to block pornography from HD, located next to Disney. It seems that the people that sit at home and watch pornography would have to enter a pin number to view others having sex on television, rather than parents trying to raise children.
Comcast should adopt a policy that the people that want to access violence and pornography have the burden. Children viewing pornography is highly damaging to them, and without a doubt are a priority over Comcast's market that has time to sit around to watch pornography.
Allen Edmonds
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While I think Comcast is priced a little high for what you get, I do believe they are being unfairly portrayed by Mr. Crowder, albeit probably unknowingly.
In today's times there is much more to TV viewing than just turning on the ole tube. Just like new cars, you really have to read those owner's manuals to understand how to operate some of the finer points - Comcast Cable is no different.
Indeed, while they must provide content to a very wide and diverse audience, they do have programming in place, as Mr. Reed suggested for you to customize your viewing experience. I personally have blocked all adult titles, and also blocked (locked) individual channels that I don't want my family exposed to. If anyone at our house wants to see MTV, they have to bribe me for the PIN first.
Comcast shouldn't be portrayed as trying to present unacceptable viewing to minors. As in most aspects of parental responsibility, it falls to us as parents to take time to learn and sort through what we deem appropriate for our children to have access to, at home and otherwise.
Now you can let your kids watch with confidence.
Charles Graham
Cgraham@aol.com
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Thanks for chiming in, Ryan. I have a comment about On Demand as well. I submitted it to Comcast's comment mailbox but never heard back, so here's a try in case you can funnel it to the right person.
We use On Demand mostly for our young kids (2 and 4), to let them watch a very limited inventory of cartoon series that we think are suitable for them.
A problem we've found is that when the program ends, the screen reverts to the On Demand menu, which features a looping preview set in the top right part of the screen. If we are not in the room at the exact moment to turn it off, we sometimes come in to find our little boys subjected to previews that we consider completely inappropriate for them.
We'd appreciate it if you'd program in a way to filter that out too.
Scott Brown
Signal Mountain
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