UNDERSTANDING THE RATINGS SYSTEM

BEFORE YOU READ THIS

The ratings system required by the US Federal Communications Commission was first put into use in January 1997 by cable and broadcast television, with all shows bearing a rating in the upper left-hand corner, except for news telecasts. This system is used with the new V-Chip control device, which, according to who you ask, can be a way for parents to either keep their kids safe, or could be the beginnings of government censorship.  Again, this is all according to who you ask.

As an extension, the television industry, interest groups, and other government gurus have accepted a new content rating letter to go along with TV-x (x is any rating), accepted by most networks at the addition's inception.  The extra content letters were instituted starting the Fall 1997 TV season.

I will try to tell you about the ratings system in the clearest way possible (since the networks haven't). First, you will be told (in quotes) what the big TV gurus tell you. Next will come the simple, one sentence explanation (as simple as I can, and as short as possible) in the English language.

All of the information obtained herein about the basic ratings system (not the "extra" letters) has been obtained from a locally distributed magazine from the local CBS affiliate in Macon, Georgia--13 WMAZ-TV, in the Spring 1997 issue.  If you want more resources for your research paper, click here.

• TV-Y"ALL CHILDREN. THE THEMES AND ELEMENTS IN THIS PROGRAM ARE SPECIFICALLY DESIGNED FOR A VERY YOUNG AUDIENCE, INCLUDING CHILDREN FROM AGES 2-6." In a nutshell, for little kids.
• TV-Y7 "DIRECTED TO OLDER CHILDREN. THEMES AND ELEMENTS IN THIS PROGRAM MAY INCLUDE MILD PHYSICAL OR COMEDIC VIOLENCE, OR MAY FRIGHTEN CHILDREN UNDER THE AGE OF 7." In other words, the little ones who get a kick out of Barney & Friends may think this stuff is real. Most of these shows come on Saturday mornings or on weekday afternoons on most television networks and local affiliates.
• TV-G"GENERAL AUDIENCE. IT CONTAINS LITTLE OR NO VIOLENCE, NO STRONG LANGUAGE, AND LITTLE OR NO SEXUAL DIALOGUE OR SITUATIONS." Sugar and Spice and Everything Nice. For everyone to watch, if you trust the broadcasters in their judgements.
• TV-PG"PARENTAL GUIDANCE SUGGESTED. THE PROGRAM MAY CONTAIN INFREQUENT COARSE LANGUAGE, LIMITED VIOLENCE, SOME SUGGESTIVE SEXUAL DIALOGUE AND SITUATIONS." This is the most confusing rating of all. This is the reason why the new "ratings letters will be added."  Some parents may think one show is okay, whilst others think it should be rated "TV-14" or "TV-M." The most important thing about this rating is that the producers meant for the parents should choose what their children should watch, and they're the true judges, because everyone's standards are different. This show was not meant for a kid to watch by him/herself.
• TV-14"PARENTS STRONGLY CAUTIONED. THIS PROGRAM MAY CONTAIN SOPHISTICATED THEMES, SEXUAL CONTENT, STRONG LANGUAGE AND MORE INTENSE VIOLENCE." This rating could be compared with "PG-13." This is a level below TV-M or rated R, in which it is not advised that a person under 17 watch the program or movie. However, as with "TV-PG," standards are different amongst different people. As for letting a 13 or 14-year-old watch the show, it depends on the maturity level of the person. Little kids under 7 should not watch this stuff. 8-14 year-olds should watch it with their parents.
• TV-M "MATURE AUDIENCES ONLY. THIS PROGRAM MAY CONTAIN MATURE THEMES, PROFANE LANGUAGE, GRAPHIC VIOLENCE, AND EXPLICIT SEXUAL CONTENT." The "R" of television. The first network televised program that recieved this rating was Schindler's List, for its gruesome scenes of the Holocaust.  However, cable TV is not as restricted in its content as broadcast television, and thus, more programs and movies with the M rating have been shown on cable.  The most vivid example is Comedy Central's South Park.  This rating is generally rarer on broadcast television, because advertisers have a fear that a program with an M rating would either not be watched, or family groups would boycott their related companies. Any rate, this show is not for kids under 17.

• V is for violence
• S is for sex
• L is for offensive language
• D is for dialogue... sexual innuendo
• FV is for fantasy or cartoon violence

Thank you for your support. This webpage is a labor of love that I have been working on since 1997.

I first created this webpage when I was 16 and in high school. It has been heavily edited since then (to edit out personal opinion and amateurish language), and now, I'm 26 and once worked in journalism. Now I'm in PR. Go figure. I can't believe it's been 10 years.

If you're doing a research paper, click here. (some of these links may be old or outdated. I will update as soon as possible.)

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© 1997-2005 by Jeremy Craig. Updated 22 June 2007 with raw HTML, baby!

This text remains the intellectual property of Jeremy Craig.