Violence and cruelty in television programmes are still worrying parents, according to a survey carried out for TV Times. They were less worried, however, about the portrayal of sex and only 8 per cent of 500 mothers who were questioned gave it as a reason for concern. Parents seemed reluctant to ban particular programmes. Of those they felt should be taken off, the BBC's Dr Who came at the top of the list; but was mentioned by only 6 per cent of people questioned.
European Marketing Surveys found that nearly all the mothers they spoke to said their children watched television every day; 67 per cent agreed that it was a useful way of holding their children's attention.
Just under half the children between five and eight years old watched right up to their bedtimes and 34 per cent in the same group were allowed to watch later at weekends.
As for the programmes their offspring enjoyed mast, 82 per cent of mothers singled out The Muppet Show. Blue Peter was also rated highly.
Among the programmes mothers disapproved of were a number screened after the 9 pm " watershed " when television companies allow shows of a more adult nature to be screened.
These included The Professionals, Quatermass and Starsky and Hutch; but adventure series before 9 pm like Chips, Charlie's Angels and Hawaii Five-0 were more acceptable.
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