The Purpose . . .
To provide wholesome, uplifting movies to patients in every children’s hospital in America. This entertainment is free to the patient.
The Background . . .
Most people agree that daytime network television consists mostly of “soap operas” and adult-theme talk shows. It is also generally acknowledged that this type of programming is unsuitable for young children. Dick Rolfe, Chairman and co-founder of The Dove Foundation was quoted on the front page of USA Today, calling for the television networks to “clean up their houses.” Most parents can screen what their children watch in the home. However, there is a very large population (800,000) that is a captive audience of this programming, with few options to choose from; the children in our nation’s hospitals.
Entertainment is an important escape for these unfortunate youngsters, especially during such trying times. Hospital staffs rarely have the time or resources necessary to protect the children from unsavory television programming. While many hospitals offer alternatives such as premium cable channels, they are usually available to patients for a fee not covered by insurance. The program content on many of these cable channels is also questionable where children are concerned, leaving them in need of more appropriate programming. In some cases, where video libraries are available, hospital staffs complain that the tapes and VCR’s or DVD players are frequently lost, stolen or damaged. Videos and DVDs are occasionally donated by well-meaning family members or friends. These items are usually not screened, and are often unsuitable for their intended audience: sick, traumatized young children.
The Program . . .
The Dove Movie Channel® is a natural extension of The Dove Foundation, whose mission is, “to encourage and promote the creation, production, distribution and consumption of wholesome family entertainment.” The Dove Movie Channel® is a simple, straightforward program that provides entertainment especially selected by The Dove Foundation for hospitalized children. These films are shown right on each patient’s television sets, not on separate DVD players or VCRs. Each participating hospital receives a catalog of over 100 movie titles from which to choose.
