British Culture Secretary Chris Smith is expected to issue orders to the country's TV regulators and watchdogs to cut the number of "trashy cartoons" forming the bulk of children's programming and substitute "high-quality educational shows," the London Sunday Express reported. The newspaper quoted a senior government source as saying that the policy is aimed at the "increasing number of cheap American (sic) imports, mainly cartoons and frequently involving product placement. The most obvious examples are Transformers, Power Rangers and Pokémon." In an interview with the newspaper, Broadcasting Minister Janet Anderson said, "The government shares parents' concerns that violent and unsuitable material is being broadcast in ever earlier slots."

Source: Studio Briefing