A study by the Parents Television Council (PTC) finds that television shows depicting fights, shootings, and blood and gore are increasing, the Associated Press reported Dec. 10.

For the study, the PTC analyzed prime-time shows that aired on the six major broadcast networks, ABC, NBC, CBS, FOX, WB, and UPN, during the first two weeks of November in 2002.

They found 534 episodes of violence, up from the 292 during the same time period in 1998. Fox had the most shows with violence, followed closely by CBS.

"In both quantity and quality it is getting worse," said Brent Bozell, founder of the conservative media-watchdog group. "I think it is a cause for concern."

NBC was the only network where shows with violence declined.

The PTC said that preliminary data from last month's television shows indicates that the violence trend is continuing.

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December 2003