Talking Blue TV Yanked From Time Warner Cable

Viewers of Talking Blue TV in the West San Fernando Valley under the Time Warner Cable system are less one cable access show about the adult film industry.  Earlier this month, while Time Warner was coming under fire for withdrawing the ABC channel amidst Sweeps Weeks, the local Time Warner Cable affiliate in Chatsworth, CA pulled the plug on our own Talking Blue television show.

Programming coordinator Javier Moreno would not disclose details for rejecting the broadcasting of the show other than to state that the show did not fall within the guidelines of acceptable programming for the community channel.

Talking Blue TV has played on the West San Fernando cable system for the past six years without interruption.

Show producer Dave Michaels notes, "It was only after the recent change in management at Time Warner Cable did the show suddenly become unacceptable."

Under terms set forth by the Federal Communications Commission, cable systems are required to carry community access programming.  Such programming does not fall under the restrictions of normal FCC rules, but rather a loose definition of "community standards".  It is through the cloudy definition of the term that allows cable access shows to carry programming that would include language deemed unacceptable on network television, as well as depictions of sexuality.  Even such television taboos as nudity are considered within "community standards" in many areas.

"It really is a violation of our rights of free speech for them to be doing this to us," says Michaels, adding, "I would hope that fans of the show in that area, or any area where censorship is an issue, would call into Time Warner and complain."

Time Warner Cable of the West San Fernando Valley can be reached at (818) 998-2281.  Ask for program director Javier Moreno.