Parenting On Television: Why There Should Be A Dedicated TV Network For Parents

The age of information has brought forth different niches of interest to tap and tackle every topic or subject under the sun. Flipping through the hundreds of channels on television, one will find there's a category for nearly everything — world news, science and technology, entertainment and celebrities, food and home, pets, kids, hobbies, travel or fashion.

There is, however, no particular TV network dedicated to parenting. Nat Berman of TV Overmind, who has two kids, questions the lack of such a channel.

Berman doesn't know the answers to why there is no parenting network on television. He suggested, however, that a specialized programming for parents should exist to help moms and dads.

A parenting channel can be scheduled with educational shows about the basics of installing car seats and cribs, for example. There could also be shows about understanding the psychology of toddlers or teens, where therapists and experts can share their insights to help struggling parents.

Apart from educational or talk shows, a parenting network could air reruns of well-loved family series. Shows like "Seventh Heaven," "Parenthood," "Brothers & Sisters," "Eight is Enough" or "Family Ties" can entertain moms or dads, and it can also help them process their real-life situations better. A study published in the Family Relations journal revealed that parents draw plenty of insights from what they watch in family-oriented shows.

A parenting network on television would also be a profitable venture. "Parenting is far and away one of the biggest businesses in the world," Berman wrote.

On the internet, several dedicated parenting channels have sprouted on YouTube. Channel Pages has a list of 43 Top Parenting YouTube accounts to follow and the number indicates there is indeed an audience for this niche.

Much has been said about screen time exposure and its effects on all users, be it a parent or child. The fact is, however, television remains one of the most effective tools for learning and information. Would you be tuning to a parenting channel, if there was one?