DirecTV goes 'family friendly'

WASHINGTON, Jan. 18 (UPI) -- Satellite TV provider DirecTV has followed the lead set by some cable companies and Wednesday announced "family-friendly" packaging.

DirecTV said its family package will include 40 channels deemed suitable for "family" viewing such as Boomerang, Disney, PBS Kids Sprout, National Geographic, Noggin and 12 public-interest channels, The Hollywood Reporter said.

"The new DirecTV Total Choice Family programming package is appropriate for viewing by family members of all ages and includes popular children's, religious and general family entertainment programming," DirecTV's Dan Fawcett said. "We have answered the call from concerned parents and policymakers and have designed a programming package to meet the needs of DirecTV families."