• by Wayne Friedman , March 11, 2009

Although many TV pressure groups have criticized programmers for violent, sex-filled, or inappropriate content, one now accuses a network of going in a different direction--TV shows that lull kids to sleep.

The Campaign for a Commercial-Free Childhood (CCFC) has complained that PBS Kids' Sprout network, which programs to 2- to-5-year-olds, can make kids all too ready for bed--and not in a good way.

In particular, the group is concerned about the early evening programming block called "The Good Night Show," which airs every evening from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Sprout, and features cartoons like "Thomas the Tank Engine" and "The Berenstain Bears."

"We urge you to stop packaging your evening program as a sleep aid for children," said the letter, which was addressed to Sprout President Sandy Wax.

Wax responded, in a report, that the programming block was designed for parents and kids to unwind together.

"Parents trust that programming on PBS and its affiliated networks will be beneficial to children," said CCFC's Director Dr. Susan Linn. "Sprout is exploiting that trust by implying that its programming will ease children into sleep when research suggests that screen time before bed undermines healthy sleep habits."

The CCFC comprises a coalition of some 28 kids and parent advocacy groups including the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and the California Center for Public Health Advocacy.

Messages to PBS were not returned by press time.