Television content ratings systems - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

James28 · 03-11-2013, 10:09 AM

A television content ratings system determines the suitability of a television program for adults or children. Many countries have their own TV content rating system and each country's rating process may differ due to local priorities. Programs are rated by either the organization that manages the system, the broadcasters, or the content producers themselves. A rating is usually set for each individual episode of a television series. The rating can change per episode, network, rerun and per country.

For example, the TV content ratings system of the United States, also known as the "TV Parental Guidelines", was introduced on 1 January 1997. The content ratings are as follows:

TV-Y: The program designed to be appropriate for all chlildren, mainly those that are aged between 2 and 6.
TV-Y7: The program is designed for children aged 7 and above.
TV-G: Most would find the program suitable for all ages.
TV-PG: The program contains some material that parents would find unsuitable for children under 10.
TV-14: The program contains some material that parents would find unsuitable for children under 10.
TV-MA: The program is designed to be viewed by adults and may be unsuitable for children under 17.

There are four sub-ratings, which were introduced on 1 August 1997:
D: Suggestive dialogue (Generally not used for TV-MA)
L: Coarse language or Swearing
S: Sexual situations
V: Violence
FV: Fantasy violence (used for TV-Y7 rating)

As the rating increases pertaining to the age, the content matters generally get more intensive.

James28 · 03-22-2013, 01:50 AM

Nowadays, pretty much every scripted primetime show on the major broadcast networks is rated either TV-PG or TV-14 (mostly TV-14). Most premium cable series are rated TV-MA. Basic cable series can either have a TV-14 rating or a TV-MA rating.

About the content rating being set for each individual episode of a television series: For example, if somebody doesn't mind the fact that most episodes of a certain series have a TV-PG rating, but notices that just one episode has a TV-14 rating, he would get livid because he is worried that the content rating would not allow him to view that one episode. There may be less of a problem if a series that has most episodes rated TV-PG ends up having one episode rated TV-G.

So, I want to know, what certain SitcomsOnline Forum members think about the TV content ratings system? Do you pay attention to it or do you ignore it?

Regulus · 03-22-2013, 05:26 AM

The system has more holes in it than Swiss Cheese. My biggest

Pet Peeve

is that it doesn"t include COMMERCIALS. The advertisers have NO REGARD as to WHO is watching their ads when they are aired. Ads for 'ED Pills" and other "Adult Products" are aired at all times of the days and even during children's shows!

I no longer watch Broadcast or Pay-TV because of this, and refuse to do so until Congress AMENDS this law to INCLUDE COMMERCIALS!

Ant-Lox · 03-22-2013, 08:19 AM

I'm not hung up on them. I've watched R rated content since I was a toddler, If anything, I'm watching more PG content these days because of over exposure to violence.

Once you hit your teens, I think everything should be viewable, because you are only delaying the inevitable. Kids learn at an accelerated rate these days anyway.

When people over react to something, or give it mystery, you almost always want to check it out, something that will never change.

Jaqui-Michel · 03-22-2013, 10:17 PM

I don't notice the tv ratings because there are no children in my household. I was a Cablevision kid and there was no limits on what I could watch. I think once a kid hits 12 years old monitoring their viewing habits is useless.

yankeesrj12 · 03-23-2013, 06:31 PM

The only people that pay attention to the content ratings are the fools of the PTC.

James28 · 03-26-2013, 01:20 AM

What would happen in an actor (or any person in general) wants to be a "PG Person"? It would mean he or she doesn't want to star in any films, television series, or video games that are R, TV-MA, or M, respectively. Therefore, the actor would have to be conscious about what content rating a project he is featured in would end up getting. Plus, he or she wouldn't have to swear much, engage in violence, or wear skimpy clothing in public. Also, a significant portion of his fanbase would be children aged between 4 and 12.

What are the advantages and disadvantages of an actor being a "PG Person"?

Ant-Lox · 04-07-2013, 07:01 PM

Will Smith is an excellent example of a "PG Person".

Hearing Will Smith curse in films is weird, like it shouldn't happen. Mostly because we don't really hear it from him.

Regulus · 04-07-2013, 07:15 PM

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These are the Canadian Ratings. The "Homemade DVDs" you get from those "Trading Sites" that have these labels are among the highest quality.

James28 · 04-07-2013, 08:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ant-Lox

Will Smith is an excellent example of a "PG Person".

Hearing Will Smith curse in films is weird, like it shouldn't happen. Mostly because we don't really hear it from him.

Will Smith has starred in one or more R-rated films throughout his career, llike "Enemy of the State".

AKA · 04-07-2013, 08:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by James28

Will Smith has starred in one or more R-rated films throughout his career, llike "Enemy of the State".

And Bad Boys. I haven't seen it in several years, but I seem to recall him dropping several f-bombs in that film. I think the misconception that Will Smith is this squeaky-clean square comes from Emimem's "The Real Slim Shady."

LUNCH · 04-09-2013, 12:06 PM

I don't pay attention to the ratings.However they should not have ratings for any TV show made before let's say the early 1990s.Most,not all but the majority of TV programs made before the early 1990s are pretty much suitable for anyone to watch.In other words 20+ years ago the networks did not allow anything too graphic on TV,for the most part at least.

LUNCH · 04-09-2013, 01:13 PM

About rating commericials.It's ironic that these ratings were introduced in 1997,about the same time I think American television advertising was Totally De-Regulated. This of course paved the way for many American television stations to become the commercial filled messes they are now.

Regulus · 04-09-2013, 01:45 PM

I found out yesterday that I am a "Zero TVer" This is someone who either does not own a TV at all or some who has a TV but only has it on while playing a game or watching a video, It is estimated there are 5,000,000 of us across the fruited plain, and GROWING.

Coffeecup · 04-12-2013, 08:28 PM

I am all for "warning this may contains subject matter not suitable for viewers". As least I have a choice whether to watch or not. The show could be about how cremation works which could be something I would pass on.

03-11-2013, 10:09 AM	#1
James28 Member Forum 3000 Club Member Join Date: Apr 14, 2007 Posts: 3,976	Television content ratings systems A television content ratings system determines the suitability of a television program for adults or children. Many countries have their own TV content rating system and each country's rating process may differ due to local priorities. Programs are rated by either the organization that manages the system, the broadcasters, or the content producers themselves. A rating is usually set for each individual episode of a television series. The rating can change per episode, network, rerun and per country. For example, the TV content ratings system of the United States, also known as the "TV Parental Guidelines", was introduced on 1 January 1997. The content ratings are as follows: TV-Y: The program designed to be appropriate for all chlildren, mainly those that are aged between 2 and 6. TV-Y7: The program is designed for children aged 7 and above. TV-G: Most would find the program suitable for all ages. TV-PG: The program contains some material that parents would find unsuitable for children under 10. TV-14: The program contains some material that parents would find unsuitable for children under 10. TV-MA: The program is designed to be viewed by adults and may be unsuitable for children under 17. There are four sub-ratings, which were introduced on 1 August 1997: D: Suggestive dialogue (Generally not used for TV-MA) L: Coarse language or Swearing S: Sexual situations V: Violence FV: Fantasy violence (used for TV-Y7 rating) As the rating increases pertaining to the age, the content matters generally get more intensive.
	__________________ "When the run of a network TV show has ended, some go out with a bang, some with a whimper, but all are...Future Endeavored." "Stay Safe"? More like "Stay Sad". #2020Hurts

03-22-2013, 05:26 AM	#3
Regulus Member Forum 3000 Club Member Join Date: Feb 07, 2011 Location: Port Orange, Florida Avatar - Poiuyt Posts: 3,374	The system has more holes in it than Swiss Cheese. My biggest Pet Peeve is that it doesn"t include COMMERCIALS. The advertisers have NO REGARD as to WHO is watching their ads when they are aired. Ads for 'ED Pills" and other "Adult Products" are aired at all times of the days and even during children's shows! I no longer watch Broadcast or Pay-TV because of this, and refuse to do so until Congress AMENDS this law to INCLUDE COMMERCIALS!
	__________________ Grail Shows: *Doc Elliot, Owen Marshall-Counselor of Law, Here's Boomer, Three for the Road, Holmes and YoYo* Bucket List Shows: *Hot Wheels, Skyhawks, Run Joe Run, Westwood*

03-22-2013, 08:19 AM	#4
Ant-Lox Cloud Watcher Senior Member Join Date: Feb 18, 2004 Location: Philadelphia, PA Posts: 1,824	I'm not hung up on them. I've watched R rated content since I was a toddler, If anything, I'm watching more PG content these days because of over exposure to violence. Once you hit your teens, I think everything should be viewable, because you are only delaying the inevitable. Kids learn at an accelerated rate these days anyway. When people over react to something, or give it mystery, you almost always want to check it out, something that will never change.
	__________________ Currently Watching: Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee Sports Allegiances Philadelphia 76ers Philadelphia Flyers Philadelphia Phillies Philadelphia Eagles Detroit Red Wings New York Football Giants

03-22-2013, 10:17 PM	#5
Jaqui-Michel Brick City Citizen Frequent Poster Join Date: Mar 22, 2006 Location: New Jersey Posts: 355	I don't notice the tv ratings because there are no children in my household. I was a Cablevision kid and there was no limits on what I could watch. I think once a kid hits 12 years old monitoring their viewing habits is useless.
	__________________ Stupidity - The Silent Killer

04-09-2013, 12:06 PM	#12
LUNCH Member Senior Member Join Date: Oct 23, 2010 Location: New York State Posts: 1,304	I don't pay attention to the ratings.However they should not have ratings for any TV show made before let's say the early 1990s.Most,not all but the majority of TV programs made before the early 1990s are pretty much suitable for anyone to watch.In other words 20+ years ago the networks did not allow anything too graphic on TV,for the most part at least.
	Last edited by LUNCH; 04-09-2013 at 02:13 PM.

03-22-2013, 01:50 AM	#2
James28 Member Forum 3000 Club Member Join Date: Apr 14, 2007 Posts: 3,976	Nowadays, pretty much every scripted primetime show on the major broadcast networks is rated either TV-PG or TV-14 (mostly TV-14). Most premium cable series are rated TV-MA. Basic cable series can either have a TV-14 rating or a TV-MA rating. About the content rating being set for each individual episode of a television series: For example, if somebody doesn't mind the fact that most episodes of a certain series have a TV-PG rating, but notices that just one episode has a TV-14 rating, he would get livid because he is worried that the content rating would not allow him to view that one episode. There may be less of a problem if a series that has most episodes rated TV-PG ends up having one episode rated TV-G. So, I want to know, what certain SitcomsOnline Forum members think about the TV content ratings system? Do you pay attention to it or do you ignore it?

03-23-2013, 06:31 PM	#6
yankeesrj12 Member Forum 4000 Club Member Join Date: Oct 09, 2008 Posts: 4,335	The only people that pay attention to the content ratings are the fools of the PTC.

03-26-2013, 01:20 AM	#7
James28 Member Forum 3000 Club Member Join Date: Apr 14, 2007 Posts: 3,976	What would happen in an actor (or any person in general) wants to be a "PG Person"? It would mean he or she doesn't want to star in any films, television series, or video games that are R, TV-MA, or M, respectively. Therefore, the actor would have to be conscious about what content rating a project he is featured in would end up getting. Plus, he or she wouldn't have to swear much, engage in violence, or wear skimpy clothing in public. Also, a significant portion of his fanbase would be children aged between 4 and 12. What are the advantages and disadvantages of an actor being a "PG Person"?

04-07-2013, 07:01 PM	#8
Ant-Lox Cloud Watcher Senior Member Join Date: Feb 18, 2004 Location: Philadelphia, PA Posts: 1,824	Will Smith is an excellent example of a "PG Person". Hearing Will Smith curse in films is weird, like it shouldn't happen. Mostly because we don't really hear it from him.

04-07-2013, 07:15 PM	#9
Regulus Member Forum 3000 Club Member Join Date: Feb 07, 2011 Location: Port Orange, Florida Avatar - Poiuyt Posts: 3,374	These are the Canadian Ratings. The "Homemade DVDs" you get from those "Trading Sites" that have these labels are among the highest quality.

04-09-2013, 01:13 PM	#13
LUNCH Member Senior Member Join Date: Oct 23, 2010 Location: New York State Posts: 1,304	About rating commericials.It's ironic that these ratings were introduced in 1997,about the same time I think American television advertising was Totally De-Regulated. This of course paved the way for many American television stations to become the commercial filled messes they are now.

04-09-2013, 01:45 PM	#14
Regulus Member Forum 3000 Club Member Join Date: Feb 07, 2011 Location: Port Orange, Florida Avatar - Poiuyt Posts: 3,374	I found out yesterday that I am a "Zero TVer" This is someone who either does not own a TV at all or some who has a TV but only has it on while playing a game or watching a video, It is estimated there are 5,000,000 of us across the fruited plain, and GROWING.

04-12-2013, 08:28 PM	#15
Coffeecup coffeecup. Forum 3000 Club Member Join Date: Jan 17, 2003 Location: snoozeville Posts: 3,181	I am all for "warning this may contains subject matter not suitable for viewers". As least I have a choice whether to watch or not. The show could be about how cremation works which could be something I would pass on.