[custom_adv] Kids' show hosts are supposed to be squeaky-clean, perfect role models for your little munchkins. But sometimes, behind-the-scenes, these hosts aren't as lighthearted as they appear on the screen. Sometimes they are downright the opposite. They are human, after all. [custom_adv] Fifty years ago this month, a soft-spoken man walked into a TV living room, changed into a cardigan sweater and sneakers, and spoke directly to the children of America, talking about creativity, imagination, fears and individuality. [custom_adv] Some of these shows were truly unforgettable, with catchy theme songs that are instantly recognizable decades later. Others were bizarre oddities that made you wonder what creators’ were smoking. [custom_adv] 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. It also limits the amount of time broadcasters, cable operators, and satellite providers can devote to advertisements during children's programs. [custom_adv] Commercial TV stations are required to file with the FCC annual reports identifying the station's core programs and other efforts to comply with their educational programming obligations. These reports - Children's Television Programming Reports (FCC Form 2100 Schedule H) – must be available to the public. [custom_adv] The reports can be obtained from the station's online public inspection file at publicfiles.fcc.gov or from the FCC's Children's Educational Television Reporting page. Also, commercial TV broadcasters, cable operators, and satellite providers must maintain records to verify compliance with commercial time limits and make these records available for public inspection. [custom_adv] Commercial television stations must provide information identifying educational programs for children to publishers of program guides and TV listings. In addition, commercial television stations must identify core programs by displaying the symbol E/I throughout the program.
