Subscribing to a Dish Network provides the viewers with a number of entertaining channels which are delivered in quality picture and sound. All these entertaining programming enhances the viewer’s TV viewing experience. But some channels may be a matter of concern for viewers especially for working parents with teenagers at home, because the programming includes a number of adult programs which are not suitable for children. To overcome this difficulty, Dish network is equipped with an advanced feature called Parental control.
The ‘Parental Controls’ provided by Dish Network ensures viewers that their teenage children could not tune in to the inappropriate channels in the absence of their parents. It is a way to block the access of specific channels that parents do not wish their children to be watching. Thus, due to the Dish Network Parental Controls, the viewer can be rest assured that there is no way for their children to view inappropriate content. It is very easy for anyone to setup this feature.
There are two ways to activate the Parental Controls feature in Dish Network Satellite TV service. They are named and explained below:
Parental Control by ratings
Parental Controls by ratings are based on Motion Picture Association of America ratings. Certain programs provided by the Dish Network are given specific ratings. These programs, based on their rating, can be blocked from viewing by children. Parental Control by ratings includes a preset choice of channels to be blocked, based on their ratings, from the broadcasting board. When this setting gets activated, only those channels which are not present on the preset list can be viewed or only those channels get delivered to the viewer’s television. Once the lock feature is activated, the system will require a 4-digit PIN number (created by the viewer) to get access to any programs that contains the ratings locked out earlier by the viewer. The ratings Dish Network can be categorized under three headings which are as follows:
- Certain ratings: PG 13, R, NC-17 etc.
- Certain expanded ratings: Violence, nudity etc.
- Certain channels: HBO, ESPN etc.
Parental Control by channels
In Parental Control by channels, viewers must manually go through each of the channels and select the channels that are to be included in the list of blocked channels. The viewer is also able to access the setup later and add or remove channels in and from the list of blocked channels. With the help of this option, viewers can lock any channel, including movie channels, Pay-Per-View and local channels. In order to update this option, the viewer needs to press the menu button on the Dish Network remote control and then select the Lock option followed by the selecting the Channel Lock option. The channel that is to be blocked, must be highlighted and checked. Once this is done, the Save option needs to be selected. Once the channel is locked viewers must also lock the system. This can be done easily by selecting the Lock System option. This will be promptly followed by an instruction to create a 4-digit password wherein the viewer must enter a password. Now the blocked channels cannot be viewed until the password is entered. In case one forgets the password, one can get help from the Customer Service Center where the previous password will be cleared up and the viewer gets to enter a new password. But when a new password is entered, the list of blocked or undesired channels needs to be re-entered.
The ‘Parental Control’ option is a significant feature provided by Dish Network. This option is of great value in the present time when parents are working outside the home and therefore, remain away from their children for much of the day. This option can be regarded as the only barrier between children and inappropriate channels. It enables the working parents to safeguard their children from viewing unsuitable channels and allow their mind focus towards more progressive and creative things. It also enables viewers to decide what is allowed to be viewed at home.