VQTV - TV Turn-On Week

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TV Turn-On Week

On April 2-8, 2001, millions of children and adults around the country (and abroad) will do what they do every week of the year -- be moved to tears, learn, love, and laugh, all thanks to the beneficial and inexpensive technology called television.

But the sad fact is, millions of people watch only a few hours of television each day. And still more watch almost none. We feel that these people are simply misinformed. If they knew what they were missing -- if they knew about the vast amount of educational programming, dramas, comedies, and more that can be found on television -- they would watch far more than they do now.

To get involved in the Seventh Annual National TV-Turn-On Week, consider ordering a copy of our comprehensive Organizer's Kit.

This year's kit includes two booklets: "From WB to UPN: Alternative Networks and the Additional Entertainment Opportunities They Represent!" and "12:00 No More: A Guide to Using Most Major-Brand VCRs As a Way To Record Programs and Increase Your Entertainment Time," three full color posters designed by Jim Davis of "Garfield" fame, three bumper stickers, facts/figures, position papers, articles, essays and many other items.

The kit provides virtually everything needed to organize a successful local event... except a television, of course! The $15 cost is arguably tax-deductible. A Spanish-language version of the kit, "Televiso No Esta El Diablo!" is also available.

Beyond TV-Turn-On Week, there are several steps we can take to get people to watch more TV over the long run. Here are a few simple suggestions to help you spend more time with TV and enhance your life:

TV-Ize Your Home

1. Move your television set to a much more prominent location. TV is far more tempting when it is conveniently located. If possible, buy an extra set.

2. Buy programmable remote controls and leave them throughout the house, so that if you lose one remote, you'll find another quickly.

3. Consider investing in your child's future by purchasing a TV set for their bedroom. A television in the bedroom can enhance homework, thinking, reading, and sleeping.

4. Keep the TV on during dinner. It can be a great way to spur conversation.

5. Set up clear time zones for television viewing, guaranteeing a minimum number of hours your family will be watching TV each night. It's okay to start small -- one or two hours a night -- and work up from there. Explain your rules in positive, concrete terms. Try replacing, "You can't read that book," with, "Let's see what Buffy and her friends are up to tonight!".

6. Take advantage of TV's astounding use as a babysitter. It engrosses children, preventing them from causing trouble through its hypnotic power.

7. Designate certain days of the week as book-free days (e.g. school nights) -- the kids are getting plenty of reading in school as it is.

8. Use TV as a reward or punishment. By threatening your children with loss of TV privileges, you bring home just how important television really is.

9. Remove records, tapes, CDs, and radios from your home.

10. Increase your cable subscription to cover premium channels, where there's always something entertaining on!

11. Don't fret if children claim, "I'm bored!" Just point them to the warm glow of the TV.

12. Don't let discussion about what's on TV displace what's important: the programs themselves.

13. Again, consider buying more televisions.