Venezuela TV punished for airing ‘Simpsons’

Station to run ‘cultural and educational messages’ for airing cartoon show

	A Venezuelan TV station will have to air public service annoucements as punishment for showing "The Simpsons" during a time slot reserved for kids' programs.
FOX via AP

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updated 8:52 p.m. ET June 30, 2008

CARACAS, Venezuela - Venezuelan regulators are forcing a local TV station to show public service announcements as punishment for broadcasting "The Simpsons" during a time slot reserved for children's programs.

The Televen channel yanked the animated hit from its lineup in April after regulators said its 11 a.m. showing violated broadcast rules intended to protect young viewers. "The Simpsons" returned to the air at night, and was replaced in the morning with "Baywatch Hawaii."

Venezuela's National Telecommunications Commission on Monday said it will choose short segments, including two 30-second "cultural and educational messages" per day, that the station must broadcast for 30 days as a sanction.

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