What would Americans do without television?
TV-Free America, a newly established national organization, wants Americans to switch off television sets for a week and find out for themselves whether there's life beyond TV.
The organization, which raises awareness about the harmful effects of excessive viewing on productivity and literacy, for example, and encourages Americans to watch less television, is sponsoring National TV-Turnoff Week, April 24-30.
What does it suggest people do without Oprah, Roseanne, the Power Rangers and the NBA games of the week?
"We're recommending 40-plus suggestive substitute activities that people can do during the week," said Henry LaBalme, an environmental consultant and co-director of the Washington-based nonprofit organization, which is funded through corporate grants and private donations.
"Americans collectively watch 120 billion hours of television a year. This is an enormous productivity sink," added Mr. LaBalme, 34, who is single and doesn't own a television set.
On the average, according to data gathered by the A.C. Neilsen Co., preschool children watch 30 hours of television a week. Educators and experts in child development and behavior suggest that more than 10 hours a week can have a detrimental effect on children's attention span, language and communications skills and creative abilities. Television turnoffs have been held in individual towns and counties around the country since the early 1980s. Follow-up surveys indicate that a majority of people who participated either reduced their viewing or became more critical of what they watched.
TV-Free America's effort marks the first time the entire nation has been asked to pull the plug. The crusade has been endorsed by such groups as the American Federation of Teachers, the American Medical Association, Literacy Volunteers of America, the National Parenting Association and Weekly Reader magazine, whose Feb. 17 cover story promotes the idea. Thousands of schools, libraries, churches and community organizations will join in a coordinated effort to encourage families and individuals to turn off their sets.
Broadcasters and, for the most part, major advertisers have turned away from the turnoff, which, if successful, could become a ratings nightmare.