The following research study, sponsored by the Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation and conducted by the University of California- Santa Barbara, is described as the most comprehensive study of sex on TV. According to this news study of sex on TV, over half (fifty-six) percent of all programming contains sexual content. In prime time, over two- thirds (sixty-seven) percent of all shows deal with sex. Sitcoms, surprisingly, deal with sex, only (fifty-six) percent of the time. The study also found that most of the sexual content is talk. About one- fourth of the shows (twenty- three) percent actually depict sexual behavior- usually passionate kissing- and three percent show the characters having intercourse. Eight percent of the shows include sexual content involving teenagers.

Another competitor that helps contribute to the vast amount of sex on TV, is cable. "During the late fifties through the end of the seventies, CBS, NBC, and ABC, ruled prime time programming. (Campbell, 136). "Prime time audiences were and are still those people who tune in between eight and eleven P.M.(Campbell, 120). During this era of supremacy, networks accounted foe ninety-five percent of all prime time viewing. However, by 1995, the previous statistic, had dropped down to fifty-five percent. (Campbell, 136). Certain technological advances such as the VCR along with government regulations and the emergence of new networks such as, Nickelodeon hurt the major networks. The main reason for this decline though, was the increased popularity of cable television. Cable as most people know, offers a wide array of nudity, sex, and many other similar issues that make it more exciting and appealing to a wider audience. By putting more sex on Network sitcoms and television, the networks are just trying to catch up with their competitor.

The seventies were a little different however. A television show that aired on CBS in 1971, was part of a new type of sitcom that advanced sexual content to what at that time seemed extreme to a lot of people. "All in the Family" was a well- written sitcom and it's respected for the pure thought of a typical blue collared, white male, in the 1970's. Due to the fact that 1970's were a time of political and social turmoil, we should not consider Archie Bunker as demeaning to races, but as a middle aged, traditional, and conventional man who had difficulties accepting change in society." (News and Information) Every episode of "All in the Family" may not have been perfect technically speaking, but every episode is powerful. Homosexuality, gender roles, rape, and birth control, (or as Archie would say it, "birth patrol") became new topics to be aired on network television. Many networks had learned of a variation of this show two times in years before. At that time, they agreed that it was humorous, but didn't want to take the risk in airing such questionable material. CBS, however, decided to risk it, and bought thirteen episodes, that started airing in 1971. The show ended up being a tremendous hit, and thus, the issue of sex on television continues to escalate.

On March forth, 1997, ABC announced that Ellen Degeneres' title character on her popular sitcom "Ellen" will reveal that she is a lesbian. This Landmark "coming out" episode aired on network TV, on Wednesday, April thirtieth, 1997. This marked a huge event in TV history. ABC was taking a huge chance in airing a show with lesbianism. There were mixed reviews on this decision with the public. Some were outraged and others thought it should have been done a long time ago. The next season, the show "Ellen" was cancelled. ABC, blames it in the severe decline of ratings, but there were speculations of lesbi

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Approximate Word count = 1962
Approximate Pages = 8 (250 words per page double spaced)