The State - News from July 17, 1987

Half of all phone calls using California’s 976 extra-billing prefix are for pornographic taped messages or live pornographic discussion, according to newly released state figures. Because such dial-a-porn lines generally cost more to call than other 976 numbers, phone sex accounts for a large majority of revenues to 976 service companies. Of the $64.2 million collected by Pacific Bell between July, 1986, and May, 1987, for 976 calls, $40.1 million went to “adult” services, according to statistics from the phone company recently released to the state Public Utilities Commission. Pacific Bell introduced the 976 service 3 1/2 years ago.