ABC affiliates refusing to show 'Saving Private Ryan'

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

Published on November 11, 2004 By historyishere In Current Events

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)

Comments (Page 1)

Texas Wahine

on Nov 11, 2004

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?

historyishere

on Nov 11, 2004

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.

Texas Wahine

on Nov 11, 2004

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!

kingbee

on Nov 11, 2004

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?

historyishere

on Nov 11, 2004

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.

iamheather

on Nov 11, 2004

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.

historyishere

on Nov 11, 2004

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.

kingbee

on Nov 11, 2004

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.

InfoGeek

on Nov 11, 2004

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

Dr Guy

on Nov 11, 2004

Add Richmond! Damn, and I didnt even see the stupid nipple! I was on the potty!

historyishere

on Nov 11, 2004

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)

Pam Johnson

on Nov 11, 2004

. . . 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

kingbee

on Nov 11, 2004

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).

historyishere

on Nov 11, 2004

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)

CrispE

on Nov 11, 2004

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!

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