The Campaign for a Commercial Free Childhood is blasting Time Warner over their recent launch of Tickle U, a two hour block of Cartoon Network programming aimed at 2-5 year olds. The advocacy group says what the network is doing is trying to put not only their shows but also the messages of kid-hungry marketers in front of impressionable eyeballs. Cartoon Network executives say they have made the distinction between the programs and the advertising clear, even citing a ban they imposed on product placement within the shows.

I think it would be reasonable, though, to wonder whether 2-5 year olds can make that distinction, no matter how well drawn it is to a network executive. Being the father of one who is in the 2-5 age group I can tell you he's just as likely to sing a commercial jingle as he is a song from one of "his shows." Does he know the difference or does he think whatever's on TV is there to entertain him? I think both sides of this issue have a point and am honestly not sure which I agree with more. Opinions from the parents in the audience?