Family viewers have been aware for some time that they are a low priority when it comes to television networks, but never was that fact made more clear than when CBS, which considers itself the "family-friendly" network, announced recently it was removing Dr. Quinn Medicine Womar from its schedule for six weeks to launch a very male-oriented, violent program called The Magnificent Seven.

In September, CBS Entertainment President Les Moonves proclaimed to the joy of his family-viewing audience that not only would his network embrace them, but that as a sign of this commitment, CBS would broadcast only family-friendly programming between 8 p.m. and 9 p.m. every day.

Moonves' promise seems to have been short-lived. Replacing one of television's most family-oriented programs with one which, to judge by the ads blatantly shown during Dr. Quinn, has themes full of violence and sex, is a direct affront to families everywhere and to anyone who cares about the values our children are being taught through the media.

This is not the sort of viewing in the "family hour" promised by Moonves in September! At that time, Moonves cited Dr. Quinn Medicine Woman as one of the family shows his network was so proud of. No more. Now it seems the only demographics that interest Moonves are the "guys in the garage."

Families who have congregated in front of their televisions to watch Dr. Quinn on Saturday nights, with its wonderful message of hope and family commitment for the past six ,years, will have to find their entertainment elsewhere. Now, viewers are about to be treated instead to Moonves' version of America - one that abounds in sexual stereotypes and violent images.

Is this what television has come to? Do content and quality no longer matter as long as the "right" demographics are watching? When was it decided that the disposable income of the over-30 viewers or the female viewer was of less value than the 18- to 20 year olds'?

Dr. Quinn Medicine Woman appeals to viewers of all demographics. It has been endorsed by, among others, Viewer's Voice, Viewer's for Quality Programming and the Parents TV Counsel and has brought families together on Saturday nights.It is a program that espouses the values we want our children to learn, one which portrays marriage and relationships in a positive light and dares to proclaim the "family" as something of value and not just a subject for a sitcom.
It's time to let the networks and the sponsors know we will no longer allow our programming choices to be dictated by demographics. If not, family programs like Dr Quinn may become our next endangered species

Mary Ann Marino
Norwood, MA