NationMaster - Encyclopedia: Y7

The TV Parental Guidelines system was introduced on January 1, 1997 in the United States in response to public complaints of increasingly explicit sexual content and graphic violence, and the use of scatology, in television programs. It was established by the Federal Communications Commission but, unlike the MPAA film rating system, only as a voluntary-participation system with ratings to be determined by the individually participating broadcast and cable networks. January 1 is the first day of the calendar year in both the Julian and Gregorian calendars. ... 1997 (MCMXCVII) is a common year starting on Wednesday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Scatology, or coprology, in medicine, biology and paleontology, is the study of feces. ... The FCCs official seal. ... The MPAA film rating system is a system used in the United States and territories and instituted by the Motion Picture Association of America to rate a movie based on its content. ...

Additionally, it does not apply to documentary, news or sports programming, or commercials. The ratings system was specifically designed to be used with the V-chip, which was mandated to be built into all television sets manufactured after 2000, but the guidelines themselves have no legal force. V-chip is a generic term used for a feature of television receivers allowing the blocking of programs based on their ratings category. ... This article is about the year 2000. ...

TV-Y (suitable for young children)

Whether animated or live-action, the themes and elements in this program are specifically designed for a very young audience, including children from ages 2-6. This program is not expected to frighten younger children.

TV-Y7 (may not be suitable for children under 7)

It may be more appropriate for children who have acquired the developmental skills needed to distinguish between make-believe and reality. Themes and elements in this program may include mild fantasy or comedic violence, or may frighten children under the age of 7. Therefore, parents may wish to consider the suitability of this program for their very young children. Note: For those programs where fantasy violence may be more intense or more combative than other programs in this category, such programs will be designated TV-Y7-FV.

TV-G (suitable for all audiences)

This rating does not specifically mean the program is geared towards children, though many parents will find it suitable for children.

TV-PG (parental guidance suggested)

The rating may find unsuitable for younger children, but parents may want to watch it with them. The rating may be accompanied by one or more of the following subratings:
- V for moderate violence
- S for mild sexual situations
- L for mild coarse language
- D for suggestive dialogue

> Many uncut animes are labled as TV-PG. TV-PG V if needed. Image File history File links Tvy. ... Image File history File links Tvy7. ... Image File history File links Tvy7fv. ... Image File history File links Tvg. ... Image File history File links TV-PG.gif Summary The TV-PG icon appears in the first 15 seconds of every television program that contains suggestive content. Retrieved from [1], and (inverted) edited with photoshop. ...

TV-14 (parental guidance suggested for children under 14)

Parents are strongly urged to exercise greater care in monitoring this program and are cautioned against letting children under the age of 14 watch unattended. This rating is very broad and common so it is often accompanied by one of the following subratings:
- V for intense violence
- S for sexual situations
- L for coarse language
- D for highly suggestive dialogue

Interestingly, most programs that air after 11:00pm are rated TV-14, including programs such as The Tonight Show. Most American daytime shows have this rating as well. Disney movies rarely recieve TV-14 ratings, although the 1981 movie Dragonslayer (rated for violence), the 1983 movie Trenchcoat (rated for dialogue and violence), the 2000 movie Remember the Titans (rated for dialogue, language, and violence), and the 2003 movie Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl (rated for violence) have recieved TV-14 ratings. Image File history File links TV-14-V.gif Summary The icon that appears during the first 15 seconds of a program, to signify content unsuitable for viewers under 14. ... The Tonight Show is NBCs long-running late-night talk and variety show, currently hosted by Jay Leno in Burbank, CA (near Los Angeles). ...

TV-MA (suitable for mature audiences or adults only; originally TV-M until October 1998)

This program is not intended and should not be viewed by audiences under the age of 17. The program may contain extreme graphic violence, strong profanity, overt sexual dialog and/or explicit sexual acts. South Park always carries a TV-MA rating, with the syndicated version receiving a TV-14 rating. The film Schindler's List (aired by NBC in February 1997) was the first network TV program that ever accorded this rating. The rating may be accompanied by one of the following subratings:
- V for highly graphic violence
- S for explicit sexual situations
- L for strong coarse language

The "D" sub-rating is not used for TV-MA. Image File history File links TV-MA.gif Summary Re-done TV-MA icon, retrived and edited from [1]. Licensing File history Legend: (cur) = this is the current file, (del) = delete this old version, (rev) = revert to this old version. ... South Park is an animate series created by Matt Stone and Trey Parker. ... Schindlers List is a 1993 fictional movie based on the book Schindlers Ark by Thomas Keneally, published in the United States as Schindlers List and subsequently re-issued in Commonwealth countries under that name as well. ... The National Broadcasting Company or NBC is an American television broadcasting company based in New York Citys Rockefeller Center. ... February is the second month of the year in the Gregorian Calendar. ... 1997 (MCMXCVII) is a common year starting on Wednesday of the Gregorian calendar. ...

For the first 15 seconds of every rated program lasting a half-hour or less, a large rating icon appears in the upper-left hand corner of the TV screen. For every rated program running an hour or longer, a rating appears in the upper-left hand corner of the TV screen at the beginning of each half hour.

Starting in 2005, a rating icon is now displayed after every commercial break. ABC was one of the first television networks to display the program's rating after every commercial break in addition to at the beginning of the program. 2005 (MMV) was a common year starting on Saturday of the Gregorian calendar. ... The American Broadcasting Company (ABC) is a television and radio network in the United States. ...

Beginning in February 2006, a rating icon is later displayed after every commercial break. All white rating icons will appear and disappear (As you did currently on Cartoon Network and TNT) in upper-left hand corner of the TV screen in all channels (except local channels and premium channels). February-James Pattersons 5th book in the Womans Murder Club Series comes out; it is called The 5th Princess. ... Cartoon Network is a cable television channel created by Turner Broadcasting and dedicated to showing animated programming. ... One third of the hardcore Detroit rap trio, Natas. ...

The ratings can be detected by a television set device known as a V-chip. V-chips are built into all television receivers manufactured since 2000. Older sets can be retrofitted with external set-top boxes. However, the V-chips have to be activated by the set's owner, and provide only a blanket blocking for programs displaying the owner-selected primary rating(s): subratings cannot usually be selected for exemption from V-chip blockage (there are some television sets which can block subratings, however). V-chip is a generic term used for a feature of television receivers allowing the blocking of programs based on their ratings category. ... This article is about the year 2000. ...

Some famous exceptions of live programming that got past by the censors were Bono's "this is really, really fucking brilliant" on the Golden Globe Awards, Nicole Richie's "get a cow to shit a Prada purse, not so fucking simple" on the Billboard Music Awards and one of the most infamous scene in the history of American television, Janet Jackson's exposed breast on the Super Bowl XXXVIII Halftime Show. Bono Paul David Hewson (born May 10, 1960), nicknamed Bono Vox, stage name Bono, is the lead singer of the Irish rock band, U2. ... The Golden Globe Awards are American awards for motion pictures and television programs, given out each year during a formal dinner. ... Image:Nicole. ... The Billboard Music Awards, held annually in December, is one of four major music awards shows presented each year (the others being the American Music Awards, the Grammys, and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony). ... This article does not cite its references or sources. ... Date February 1, 2004 Stadium Reliant Stadium City Houston, Texas MVP Tom Brady, Quarterback Favorite Patriots by 7 National Anthem BeyoncÃ© Knowles Coin toss Earl Campbell, Ollie Matson, Don Maynard, Y.A. Tittle, Mike Singletary, Gene Upshaw Halftime show Janet Jackson, Justin Timberlake, P. Diddy, Kid Rock, and Nelly Attendance...

Canadian ratings

In the wake of the American ratings system, the Canadian TV Classification System was created for English-language programmers to use in conjunction with the V-chip. This system differs somewhat from the American version:

C: programming suitable for children under the age of 8 years. No profanity or sexual content of any level allowed. Minimal comedic violence; nothing realistic.
C8: suitable for children over the age of 8. Low intensity violence and fantasy horror allowed. No foul language but occasional "socially offensive and discriminatory" language allowed if in the context of the story. No sex or nudity.
G: General. Similar to the Canadian/American movie rating of the same name; programming suitable for the entire family with minimal violence, and no profanity or sexual content. (Similar to U.S. rating G or (low-end) PG)
PG: Parental Guidance. Again, similar to the movie rating of the same name. Moderate use of violence and mild profanity allowed, as is brief nudity and sexual references if important to a storyline. (Similar to U.S. rating (high-end) G, PG, or (low-end) PG-13)
14+: programming intended for viewers over the age of 14. May contain intense scenes of violence, strong profanity, and depictions of sexual activity within the context of a story. (Similar to U.S. rating (high-end) PG, PG-13, or (low-end) R). This rating was applied to a recent broadcast of the movie Animal House.)
18+: equivalent to the TV-MA rating, allowing strong violence, language, and sexual activity. This rating has been applied to occasional cable broadcasts of pornographic films. (Similar to U.S. rating R or (low-end) NC-17)

French-language broadcasters use the Quebec film ratings system. There are also exemptions to some of the programming. The Deltas in front of their house Movie poster of Animal House National Lampoons Animal House (also called Animal House) is a 1978 comedy film in which a misfit group of Delta fraternity boys takes on the system at their college. ... Pornography (from Greek πορνογραφια pornographia — literally writing about or drawings of harlots) is the representation of the human body or human sexual behaviour with the goal of sexual arousal, similar to, but (according to some) distinct from, erotica. ... Motto: Je me souviens (French: I remember) Official languages French Capital Quebec City Largest city Montreal Lieutenant-Governor Lise Thibault Premier Jean Charest (PLQ) Parliamentary representation - House seat - Senate seats 75 24 Area - Total - % water Ranked 2nd 1,542,056 kmÂ² 11. ... Motion picture rating systems are issued to give moviegoers an idea of the suitability of a movie for children and/or adults in terms of issues such as sex, violence and bad language. ...

An E is given to most news and sports programs, documentaries, talk shows, music videos and variety programming because they are exempt programs.

In addition to the ratings, Canadian programming is also classified. Each program is given one of four classifications:

Children's Programming (programming intended for children 2-12)
Drama Programming (dramitic series, soap operas, made-for-TV movies and comedy sitcoms)
"Reality TV" (includes shows in which real events are "re-created" for entertainment purposes)
Feature Films (major motion pictures aired by networks)

Australia and New Zealand

For details on the Video and DVD classification system in Australia, see Censorship in Australia.

Australia and New Zealand's rating systems differ only slightly from other rating systems. New Zealand's are based on Australia's previous system which was used before 1995. TV Networks are required by law to warn viewers of a rating of a Program over the M Rating before viewing the programme and required to show a list of subratings the television show specifically may contain (if any). There is also advertising restrictions on TV programs with a rating of MA15+ or Higher. These ratings are exactly the same for Subscription TV. After commercial breaks the rating and subrating abbreviation of the programme has to be shown by law. The home video business rents and sells videocassettes and DVDs to the public. ... DVD-R writing/reading side DVD-R with purple dye, 4. ... // History Lady Chatterley and the trial book. ... 1995 (MCMXCV) was a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ...

Australia

P Pre-Schoolers - Programmes suited specifically for pre-school children.
C Children - Programmes suited specifically for children 5 to 11 years of age.
G General - Programmes which are suitable for all ages.
PG Parental Guidance - Parental Guidance is recommended for young children. - Cannot be Shown between 4:00pm & 7:00pm Weekdays.
M Mature - Recommended for Mature Audiences. - Can only be shown between 12:00pm - 3:00pm on School Days and 8:30pm - 5:00am any day.
MA15+ Mature Accompanied - Not Suitable for Persons Under the Age of 15. Under 15s must be accompanied by a parent or adult guardian. - Can only be shown between 9:00pm - 5:00am. A warning must be shown before the program starts.
AV15+ Adult Violent - Very Heavy Violence Content - Not Suitable for Persons Under the Age of 15. - Can only be shown between 9:30pm - 5:00am. A warning must be shown before the program starts.

Ratings from PG upwards can sometimes be accompanied with any of the specific subratings. These can be classified as "Some", "Medium" or "Strong", depending on the content of the television program. These subratings are:

V For Violence
L For Coarse Language (Swearing)
S For Sexual references or Sex Scenes
SN For Supernatural Themes
H For Horror
MP For Medical Procedures
A For Suggestive (Adult) Themes
N For Nudity

New Zealand

G: Programmes exclude material likely to harm children under 14 and can screen at any time.

PGR: Programmes are more suited to older people but aren't necessarily unsuitable for children, and can screen between 9 AM - 4 PM and 7 PM - 6 AM.

AO: Content is handled in such a way that it is unsuitable for children, and can screen between noon and 3 PM on a school day, and between 8:30 PM - 5 AM. Some programmes exceed the guidelines and have special notes like AO 9:30 PM or later when breasts might appear on the television screen.

United Kingdom

BBFC: U PG 12A 12 15 18 PEGI: 3+ 7+ 12+ 16+ 18+

For details on the video and DVD classification system in the UK, see British Board of Film Classification.

In the United Kingdom, TV ratings are usually considered unnecessary; the television regulator, Ofcom, sets clear boundaries for what can be shown and when. The most obvious example of this is in the watershed, the time at which more explicit content can be shown. On main broadcast television, this is 9pm, however on subscriber television services it is 8pm. The home video business rents and sells videocassettes and DVDs to the public. ... DVD-R writing/reading side DVD-R with purple dye, 4. ... British Board of Film Classification logo The British Board of Film Classification (BBFC) is the organisation responsible for film classification within the United Kingdom. ... The Office of Communications, usually known as Ofcom, is the UKs communications regulator. ... Watershed is a term used in the United Kingdom (as well as Canada) to describe a time in television schedules beyond which it is permissible to show a television programmes which have adult content. It is known in the US as Safe Harbor. Adult content can be generally defined as...

However, some channels have adopted their own systems.

The BBC, Channel 4 and ITV give verbal announcements before programmes as to the nature of the programme about to be shown. ITV and the BBC show these comparatively rarely compared to C4.
- Channel 4 occasionally has extra announcements before a programme resumes from a commercial break, if the content in a certain segment is viewed to be likely to cause offence. Examples include the usage of the word "cunt" on Big Brother and a standard "don't try this at home" disclaimer before and during Jackass.
five has its own rating system, roughly based on a mixture of the BBFC and MPAA movie classification systems.

Corporate logo of the British Broadcasting Corporation The British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) is the national public service broadcaster of the United Kingdom (see British television). ... Channel 4 is a public service television broadcaster in the United Kingdom (see British television). ... Current ITV logo. ... Channel 4 is a public service television broadcaster in the United Kingdom (see British television). ... To meet Wikipedias quality standards, this article or section may require cleanup. ... Big Brother UK series 5 in 2004 was the fifth season of Big Brother in the UK, a reality show shown on Channel 4 in which a number of contestants live in an isolated house trying to avoid being evicted by the public with the aim of winning a large... Jackass was a half-hour television series, originally shown on MTV from 2000 to 2002 in which a group of men perform various dangerous and/or ridiculous stunts, simply for fun and comedy. ... Five, formerly known as Channel 5, is the United Kingdoms fifth national terrestrial TV Channel. ... British Board of Film Classification logo The British Board of Film Classification (BBFC) is the organisation responsible for film classification within the United Kingdom. ... The Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA), originally called the Motion Pictures Producers and Distributors Association, is a non-profit trade association based in the United States which was formed to advance the interests of movie studios. ...

Ireland

In Ireland, RTÉ displays a banner in the top left-hand corner of the screen during the opening screen of a programme. The banner will display either - Radio TelefÃs Ã‰ireann (RTÃ‰; Irish for Radio and Television of Ireland) is the national publicly-funded broadcaster of Ireland. ...

GA (General Audience) - a programme that would be acceptable to all ages and tastes.
Ch (Children) - a programme aimed specifically at children, i.e. the pre-teenage or very young teenage audience.
YA (Young Adult) - a programme aimed at a teenage audience. That is to say it would not be of great interest to an adult. However, it might deal with issues which affect the teenage audience, e.g. relationships, sexual activity, sexuality, soft drugs. Parents and guardians could expect that "YA" programmes might contain such material and may choose to limit their children's access.
PS (Parental Supervision) - a programme aimed at a mature audience, i.e. It might deal with adult themes, be moderately violent, frightening or contain an occasional swear word.) and the classification label invites parents or guardians to consider restricting children's access.
MA (Mature Audience) - a typical "post-watershed" programme which might contain scenes of sexual activity or violence, or the dialogue might be profane.

This only applies to the RTÉ channels (RTÉ One, RTÉ Two & TG4), other television channels would usually make a verbal announcement of what a show contains beforehand. Radio TelefÃs Ã‰ireann (RTÃ‰; Irish for Radio and Television of Ireland) is the national publicly-funded broadcaster of Ireland. ... RTÃ‰ One is the Republic of Irelands oldest and most popular television channel, operated by Irish state broadcaster Radio TelefÃs Ã‰ireann. ... RTÃ‰ Two (known from 1988 to 2004 as Network 2 or RTÃ‰ Network Two) is Irelands second-oldest television channel, operated by Irish state broadcaster Radio TelefÃs Ã‰ireann. ... TG4 is an Irish television channel aimed at Irish language speakers and established as a wholly owned subsidiary by Radio TelefÃs Ã‰ireann in 31 October 1996; it was known as TeilifÃs na Gaeilge or TnaG before a rebranding campaign in 1999. ...

Other countries

Several television networks in Europe have voluntarily started using similar ratings systems of their own, often using an age designation such as 12, 14, or 18. World map showing Europe Europe is conventionally considered one of the seven continents which, in this case, is more a cultural and political distinction than a physiogeographic one. ...

External links

FCC V-Chip web site
http://www.tvguidelines.org/ratings.asp
Media Awareness Network - Canadian TV Classification System
V-Chip Canada

References

MediaAwareness.ca

Categories: American television | Media content ratings systems

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