Who puts the restrictions on basic cable? Why can't they have swearing or

[Bombtrack]

nudity?

Anyone know? I thought that the FCC only had juristiction over free broadcast media.

Can someone explain to be what law or who makes the rules on basic cable?

[Benhurst]

1. I don't know. My guess is it's a marketing ploy. If you want

uncensored films and entertainment, you have to pay more for it.

[KurtNYC]

2. Some goverment and some self-imposed

Like indecency, profane speech is prohibited on broadcast radio and television between the hours of 6 a.m. to 10 p.m.

More at: http://www.fcc.gov/cgb/consumerfacts/obscene.html

It is a whole ball of wax. When I worked on a soap opera ("Santa Barbara") we would get memos back from the broadcast network after they had reviewed the scripts. They would say things like:

"On page 32, Cassandra WILL NOT SAY "You bitch, you evil bitch!" The network expects that this scene will be re-written in accordance with network standards and practices guideline."

So there is control at the network level which is short of what they could do. Broadcast channels which get carried by cable providers fall in this category -- almost entirely self-censored by the network.

Pure, cable-only channels, like Comedy Central and even pay channels like HBO, still have the time window to worry about. You can't swear until 10 o'clock local time.

[MemphisTiger]

3. They are still under the influence of advertisers

these are the people that say "We won't put our ads on something racy" where HBO can put anything they want because the only answer to their viewers. And everybody needs their Sex in the City or Sopranos.

[HootieMcBoob]

4. I have the Independent Film Channel on basic cable

and they don't ever seem to censor anything.