TV & VIDEO - Aug. 17, 1987

U.S. television programs shown in Britain depict three times more violence than British-made programs, according to a British survey of trends in TV violence since the 1960s. The survey said U.S.-made TV series and films contained an average 3.6 violent acts an hour, compared with 1.1 an hour in British programs. The survey was commissioned by the British Broadcasting Corp. and carried out by psychologists at Aston University in Birmingham. The survey counted accidents and catastrophes shown on newscasts only if victims were shown. Violence in such sporting events as boxing and wrestling was excluded.