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Title 47, Telegraphs, Telephones, and RadiotelegraphsRelease 119-110

§561 Scrambling of Sexually Explicit Adult Video Service Programming

Title 47 › CHAPTER 5 — WIRE OR RADIO COMMUNICATION › SUBCHAPTER V–A — CABLE COMMUNICATIONS › Part IV — Miscellaneous Provisions › § 561

Last updated Sep 22, 2026|Official source

Summary

Cable and satellite TV providers must completely block or scramble the picture and sound of any channel mainly showing sexually explicit or indecent adult content so people who do not subscribe cannot see or hear it. Until they do that, these providers must not air that programming during the hours the Commission sets when many children are likely to be watching. "Scramble" means changing the signal so the picture and sound cannot be understood.

Full Legal Text

Title 47, §561

Telegraphs, Telephones, and Radiotelegraphs, Source: USLM XML via OLRC

(a)Requirement
In providing sexually explicit adult programming or other programming that is indecent on any channel of its service primarily dedicated to sexually-oriented programming, a multichannel video programming distributor shall fully scramble or otherwise fully block the video and audio portion of such channel so that one not a subscriber to such channel or programming does not receive it.
(b)Implementation
Until a multichannel video programming distributor complies with the requirement set forth in subsection (a), the distributor shall limit the access of children to the programming referred to in that subsection by not providing such programming during the hours of the day (as determined by the Commission) when a significant number of children are likely to view it.
(c)“Scramble” defined
As used in this section, the term “scramble” means to rearrange the content of the signal of the programming so that the programming cannot be viewed or heard in an understandable manner.

Legislative History

Notes & Related Subsidiaries

Editorial Notes

ConstitutionalityFor information regarding the constitutionality of this section, see the Table of Laws Held Unconstitutional in Whole or in Part by the Supreme Court on the Constitution Annotated website, constitution.congress.gov.

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date

Pub. L. 104–104, title V, § 505(b), Feb. 8, 1996, 110 Stat. 136, provided that: “The amendment made by subsection (a) [enacting this section] shall take effect 30 days after the date of enactment of this Act [Feb. 8, 1996].”

Reference

Citations & Metadata

Citation

47 U.S.C. § 561

Title 47, Telegraphs, Telephones, and Radiotelegraphs

Last Updated

Sep 22, 2026

Release point: 119-110