Television content rating systems are systems for evaluating the content and reporting the suitability of television programmes for minors. Many countries have their own television rating system and countries' rating processes vary by local priorities. Programmes are rated by the organization that manages the system, the broadcaster, or the content producers.
A rating is usually set for each individual episode of a television series. The rating can change per episode, network, rerun, and country. As such, programme ratings are usually not meaningful unless when and where the rating is used is mentioned.
A comparison of current television content rating systems, showing age on the horizontal axis. Note however that the specific criteria used in assigning a classification can vary widely from one country to another. Thus a color code or age range cannot be directly compared from one country to another.
Key:
White – No restrictions: Suitable for all ages / Aimed at young audiences / Exempt / Not rated / No applicable rating. Yellow – Advisory: Parental guidance is suggested for designated age range. Purple – Strong advisory: Not recommended for a younger audience but not restricted. Red – Restricted: Parental accompaniment required for younger audiences. Black – Prohibitive: Exclusively for older audience / Restricted to a specific audience / Purchase age-restricted / Banned.| Country | Age rating | Other | Time restrictions (watershed) | |||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0/1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | ||||
| Australia | M | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| PG | MA 15+ | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| N/A | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Brazil | (A)L | (A)10 | (A)12 | (A)14 | (A)16 | (A)18 | N/A | N/A | ||||||||||||||||
| Canada | G | PG | 14+ | 18+ | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Quebec | G | 8 | 13 | 16 | 18 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Colombia | Adults | N/A | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Family | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Croatia | Unrated | 12 | 15 | 18 | N/A | |||||||||||||||||||
| Country | 0/1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | Other | Time restrictions (watershed) | |
| Denmark | A | 7 | 11 | 15 | N/A | N/A | ||||||||||||||||||
| Ecuador | A | B | C | N/A | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Finland | S/T | 7 | 12 | 16 | 18 | N/A | ||||||||||||||||||
| France | Unrated | –10 | –12 | –16 | –18 | N/A | ||||||||||||||||||
| Germany | Unrated | 16 | 18 | N/A | ||||||||||||||||||||
| 0 | 6 | 12 | 16 | 18 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Ghana | U | 12+ | 15+ | 18+ | N/A | |||||||||||||||||||
| PG | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Greece | K | 8 | 12 | 16 | 18 | N/A | ||||||||||||||||||
| Hong Kong | Unrated | M | N/A | |||||||||||||||||||||
| PG | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Indonesia | N/A | SU | A–BO | R–BO | D | N/A | ||||||||||||||||||
| P–BO | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Country | 0/1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | Other | Time restrictions (watershed) | |
| Mexico | A | B | B-15 | C | N/A | |||||||||||||||||||
| D | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Morocco | All audiences | –10 | –12 | –16 | N/A | |||||||||||||||||||
| Netherlands | AL | 6 | 9 | 12 | 14 | 16 | 18 | N/A | ||||||||||||||||
| New Zealand | G | M | 18 | N/A | ||||||||||||||||||||
| PG | 16 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| North Macedonia | [Green circle] | [Yellow circle] | [White square on a orange background] | [White triangle on a blue background] | X18+ | N/A | ||||||||||||||||||
| Norway | A | 6 | 9 | 12 | 15 | 18 | N/A | |||||||||||||||||
| Peru | APT | 14 | 18 | N/A | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Philippines | G | N/A | N/A | |||||||||||||||||||||
| PG | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Poland | BOW | 7 | 12 | 16 | [Key symbol] | N/A | ||||||||||||||||||
| Portugal | T | 10AP | 12AP | 16 | N/A | |||||||||||||||||||
| Romania | Unrated | 12 | 15 | 18 | N/A | |||||||||||||||||||
| AP | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Russia | 0+ | 6+ | 12+ | 16+ | 18+ | N/A | ||||||||||||||||||
| Country | 0/1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | Other | Time restrictions (watershed) | |
| Singapore | G | PG13 | N/A | |||||||||||||||||||||
| PG | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Slovakia | [{{tooltip|2=Suitable for minors up to 12 years of age|Teddy bear's head}}] | 12 | 15 | 18 | N/A | |||||||||||||||||||
| 7 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Slovenia | VS | 12 | 15 | 18 | N/A | |||||||||||||||||||
| South Korea | ALL | 7 | 12 | 15 | 19 | Exempt | ||||||||||||||||||
| Thailand | General | PG 13 | PG 18 | N/A | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Turkey | General | 7+ | 13+ | 18+ | Exempt | |||||||||||||||||||
| United States | TV-G | TV-14 | TV-MA | N/A | ||||||||||||||||||||
| TV-PG | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| (-FV) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Venezuela | Todo usuario | Adulto | N/A | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Supervisado | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Vietnam | P | T13 | T16 | T18 | N/A | |||||||||||||||||||
| K | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Country | 0/1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | Other | Time restrictions | |
See main article: Australian Commercial Television Code of Practice.
| Symbol | Abbreviation | Name | Description | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| C | Children | Programmes deemed to specifically meet the educational needs and interests of children of school age who are under 14 years of age. C-rated content must be broadcast between 7 a.m. and 8:30 a.m. or between 4 p.m. and 8:30 p.m on weekdays or 7 a.m. and 8:30 p.m. on weekends and school holidays.[1] | ||
| P | Preschoolers | Programmes deemed to specifically meet the educational needs and interests of preschool children who have not yet started school. P-rated content must be broadcast between 7 am and 4:30 pm, Monday to Friday. |
Classifications are intended to be equivalent to the Australian Classification Board (ACB) classifications of the same name. They're usually presented with the same shape and sometimes colour as their ACB counterparts.[2]
| Symbol | Abbreviation | Name | Description | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| E | Exempt | Exempt from classification; Only very specific types of material can be exempt from classification and the material cannot contain anything that exceeds the constraints of the PG classification. These include news & current affairs, sports broadcasting, education videos and certain documentaries. | ||
| G | General | General exhibition, suitable for all ages but not necessarily intended for children and may be more suitable for older children or adults. Content is VERY MILD in impact. G content may air at any time of day. | ||
| PG | Parental Guidance Recommended | Parental guidance is recommended for people under 15 years. Content is MILD in impact; Elements in these programmes may require parental supervision for young children. PG content may air at any time of the day. | ||
| M | Mature | Recommended for viewing by persons aged 15 years or over. Content is MODERATE in impact; These programmes may require a mature perspective and are deemed not suitable for all children. M content may only be broadcast between 7:30 p.m. and 6:00 a.m. on any day, and additionally between 12:00 p.m. and 3:00 p.m. on school days. | ||
| MA 15+ | Mature Accompanied | Not suitable for people under 15. Content is STRONG in impact. MA 15+ programming may only be broadcast between 8:30 p.m. and 6:00 a.m. on any given day. Consumer advice is mandatory. | ||
| AV 15+ | Mature Accompanied (Adult Violence) No longer used | Not suitable for people under 15. The category deal with content or contain depictions that require a more mature perspective. Violence is STRONG in impact; this classification was the same as MA 15+, except the "AV" stands for "Adult Violence". AV 15+ content was broadcast between 9:30 p.m. and 5:00 a.m. on any day. Consumer advice is mandatory. The AV 15+ classification was abolished after 30 November 2015.[3] Strong impact violence is now incorporated into the MA 15+ classification. |
| Symbol | Abbreviation | Name | Description | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| R 18+ | Restricted R 18+ | Not for anyone under 18; this is limited to Adult "Pay Per View" VC 196 and 197, access to these programmes is locked by a personal password. Content may include prolonged scenes of intense violence, sexual situations, coarse language and strong drug use. | ||
| X 18+ | Restricted X 18+ | Contains material that is pornographic in nature. No one under 18 may legally rent, buy, possess, exhibit, hire, or view these programmes, on television, DVD, or otherwise. The exhibition or sale of these programmes to people under the age of 18 years is a criminal offence carrying a maximum fine of $5,500. |
Consumer advice is compulsory for all MA 15+ and one-off programmes, as well as very short series classified M or higher (such as feature films, miniseries and documentaries).[4] When a programme carries consumer advice, appropriate abbreviations are displayed along with the classification symbol after each commercial break. In general, these abbreviations are as follows:[5]
For violence, coarse language and sex scenes, the intensity and/or frequency is mentioned in front of the consumer advice. These include: "mild", "stylised", "some", "frequent" or "strong". Example: "strong sex scenes".
See main article: Brazilian advisory rating system. A television content rating system in Brazil was implemented following a consultation in 2006.[6] Since then, the television networks themselves rate the shows, while the indicative rating judges the content to guarantee that the rating is appropriate for that specific show.[7] On broadcast networks, where the system is mandatory, the ratings are also translated in Brazilian Sign Language, and may also carry content descriptors. The icons must be shown at the start of each block of the show, and their respective promos.[8]
All rating is advisory unlike films. The Brazilian content rating system utilizes age-specific classifications (with the exception of L-rated programming), and generally follow the film ratings. However, unlike with films, television programmes can be rated by the broadcaster with the need to formally submit them for a rating, although the Department of Justice, Ratings, Titles and Qualification (DEJUS) reserves the right to revise the rating. Ratings assigned by the broadcaster mirror those assigned by DEJUS, but are preceded by the letter "A".[9]
| Symbols | Abbreviations | Portuguese Name | English Translation |
|---|---|---|---|
| L | Livre para todos os públicos | Content is suitable for all public. | |
| AL | |||
| 10 | Não recomendado para menores de 10 anos | Not suitable for viewers under 10 years of age. | |
| A10 | |||
| 12 | Não recomendado para menores de 12 anos | Not suitable for viewers under 12 years of age. | |
| A12 | |||
| 14 | Não recomendado para menores de 14 anos | Not suitable for viewers under 14 years of age. | |
| A14 | |||
| 16 | Não recomendado para menores de 16 anos | Not suitable for viewers under 16 years of age | |
| A16 | |||
| 18 | Não recomendado para menores de 18 anos | Not suitable for viewers under 18 years of age. | |
| A18 |
The Canadian TV Classification System was created in late 1997 for English-language programmes to use, which lined up with those of the American v-chip, both matching that system and allowing television manufacturers to use the same backbone firmware for both systems. The upper-right corner of symbols are shaped like the corner of a maple leaf, as is used in the national flag, and are rendered in black and white. The icons are intended to be shown once an hour lasting 15 seconds, although in the case of longer programmes that do not start on the hour, some broadcasters show the rating at the start and at the top of each subsequent clock hour, while others show the rating at the start and again precisely one hour later. However, there are some networks like Global that only display the television rating at the beginning of the show. The icons are displayed in the upper-left corner and the size is mandated to be a minimum of 52 scan lines or pixels tall, and must also fully cover an American ratings icon if burned-in or broadcast live by an American broadcaster.[10] [11]
Additionally, should a programme contain content potentially unsuitable for some viewers, such as violence, coarse language, or nudity, members of the self-regulating Canadian Broadcast Standards Council (which does not include the CBC, although it still uses such warnings) are required to air a disclaimer at the beginning of the programme and at the end of each commercial break, advising viewer discretion (such disclaimers are only required for the first hour if airing after 9:00 p.m.). This disclaimer is technically required even if the final commercial break comes immediately before the closing credits, and some (but not all) channels in fact observe this.[12]
Notably, the television rating given may depend on the level of cable and satellite, or if the programme is broadcast over-the-air. Also, television ratings are generally considered more restrictive than movie ratings.
The Canadian rating system for English-language broadcasters (as well as third-language broadcasters, which broadcast in a language other than English or French) is as follows:[13]
French-language broadcasters use a rating system that is virtually identical to Quebec's Régie du cinéma's film rating system, with one additional category (8+):[14]
As of 2011, programs in Colombia are regulated by the National Television Commission, and are divided into the following categories:[15]
Programmes containing Pornography or apologies for violence are not allowed to be broadcast at all in Colombia, even in the adult fringes.
Since 1 September 2020, the Medierådet for Børn og Unge (Media Council for Children and Young People) classifies all programmes and films for television broadcast and video on demand release, using the same rating also used for theatrically released films and home media releases. On television, the age limit must be informed orally before the programme starts or continues. The clear rating should be shown during the entire transmission time or a minimum first five minutes, and must be available in programme listings. Films and series on VOD services must have age ratings and mention the content in them that explains why the content was given its rating. The location of the rating is up to the individual provider as long as it is visible to the consumer before choosing a film or program. The new television classification system only applies to domestic television and VOD services such as DR, TV 2, TV3, Kanal 4 and Viaplay, and as such do not apply to foreign services such as Netflix, Max or Disney+. The requirements apply to all programming outside of news & current affairs, music, sports, live telecasts, instructional & leisure programmes, programming of nonprofit, political or religious nature, preface of programmes and teaching & research programmes.[16]
The ratings are:[16]
Article 65 of the Communications Law of Ecuador presents the following classification:[17]
The classification to which belongs each programme will be arranged by the Consejo de Regulación y Desarrollo de la Información y Comunicación (Regulatory and Development Council of Information and Communication) depending on the parameters which are considered relevant.
The ratings system for television programmes shown on Finnish television channels consists of the following mandatory age classifications:[18]
A content rating system in French is regulated by the Conseil supérieur de l'audiovisuel (CSA).[19] Each rating icon is translucent and, as of December 2012, is shown for the whole duration of the show.[20]
There initially was no ratings system for French television. In March 1961, following the broadcast of a film where a female nude was briefly visible, the "white square" was introduced. A white square, replaced by a white rectangle in 1964, was displayed in the corner of the screen. An off-screen voice warned at the beginning of the programme that it was unsuitable for all audiences. This system continued until 1996 when the Conseil supérieur de l'audiovisuel replaced it with a system of five pictograms, indicating the suitability of the program. This system was replaced by the current system on 18 November 2002.[21]
In Germany, every broadcaster has to show a disclaimer displaying the sentence Die nachfolgende Sendung ist für Zuschauer unter 16/18 Jahren nicht geeignet before transmission if the programme contains potentially offensive content.[22] This roughly translates to The following programme is not suitable for viewers under 16/18 years of age. The (FSF) checks many shows in private television.[23]
In Ghana, TV series and selected TV programmes are classified by the Film Classification Committee:[24] [25]
A new content rating system in Greece was introduced on 30 September 2019.[26] The system is now associated with the age of viewers and has new visual symbols (replacing rhombus, circle, triangle, square and cross symbols), however, there are no mature-accompanied ratings compared to the previous system. The ratings are compulsory and are displayed and verbally announced at the beginning of each broadcast. These provisions are enforced by the Greek National Council for Radio and Television (ESR).
Also, programmes suitable for ages 12 and up will be accompanied by a special word marker identifying their content, which is divided into the following four categories:
The Hong Kong television rating system is since by generic code of television programmes standard of the Broadcasting Ordinance (Cap.562) on 11 December 1995.[27] The current ratings are:
The Indonesian Broadcasting Commission (KPI)'s Broadcasting Code regulate broadcast television content that classifies television programme into several classifications:[29] [30] [31]
There is unofficially also a BO (Indonesian: Bimbingan Orangtua, Parental Guidance) subrating often used accompanied with the above ratings (P-BO, A-BO, or R-BO). The KPI Broadcasting Code does not regulate the BO rating; instead it requires broadcasters to show a "viewer discretion advised" card before the beginning of a P, A, or R-rated program; however many broadcasters does not show this card.
In addition, all films and advertisements broadcast in Indonesia must be rated by the Film Censorship Agency (LSF) and use the ratings provided by the LSF to rate those films and advertisements broadcast.[30] Although the Broadcasting Code only requires films and advertisements to be rated by the LSF prior to broadcast, many broadcasters opted to have all prerecorded programs (not just films and advertisements) to be rated by the LSF and use the ratings given by the LSF on rating those programs.
The classification system of television programmes in Mexico is rated by the Dirección General de Radio, Televisión y Cinematografía, and consists of the following classes:
The classification system of television programmes in Morocco is established by the HACA. There are 4 categories. Before the airing of the program, an off-screen voice warned at the beginning of the programme that it was unsuitable for all audiences.[33] [34]
| 1 | No symbol | All audiences | No restriction | |
| 2 | Not recommended for under 10 | Prohibited broadcast from 12:00 to 14:00 and between 17h and 19h from Monday to Friday, until 14h on Saturday and Sunday | ||
| 3 | Not recommended for under 12 | Prohibited broadcast from 12:00 to 14:00 and between 17h and 19h from Monday to Friday, until 14h on Saturday and Sunday | ||
| 4 | Not recommended for under 16 | No broadcast daily before 22:30 |
The television rating system in the Netherlands was created in 2001 by the Dutch Institute for the Classification of Audiovisual Media (NICAM) and is known as Kijkwijzer (ViewingGuide or WatchWiser). The same rating systems are used for both television programmes and films, and serve partly as guidelines (Programmes with the classification 12, 14 and 16 years may only be broadcast from 8pm and with the classification 18 years from midnight. Cinemas and theaters in the country cannot provide films with the classification 16 years to people under the age of 16). They are the same as Dutch film ratings.[35]
The following age ratings apply:
There are also six descriptor icons used:
On 1 May 2020, New Zealand realigned its television content rating system to a common system for free-to-air television, subscription television and on-demand services:[36] [37]
The last three ratings replaced the former AO (Adults Only) classification.
On free-to-air television, programmes classified M can be broadcast between 9.00am and 3.00pm on weekdays (school term time only, as designated by the Ministry of Education) and from 7.30pm until 5.00am on a daily basis. Programmes classified 16 can only be broadcast after the 8.30pm watershed, while programmes classified 18 can only be broadcast after 9.30pm.
On pay television, where content filtering is not available, programmes classified 18 can only be broadcast between 8.00pm and 6.00am on a daily basis and from 9.00am until 3.00pm on weekdays (school term time only). If content filtering is available, programmes classified 18 can be broadcast at any time. Explicit adult sex programmes classified 18 may screen only on premium channels.
The following descriptor codes (audience advisories) may be added for programmes classified PG or higher:
North Macedonia uses five symbols for each program.[38] They are as follows:
● – Programme can be watched for each age● – Programmes not recommended for children below the age of 8 (parental supervision required under this age).■ – Programmes not recommended for children below the age of 12 (parental supervision required under this age). Only broadcast between 20:00 to 5:00.▲ – Programmes not recommended for children below the age of 16 (parental supervision required under this age). Only broadcast between 22:00 to 5:00.X – Programmes not suitable for audiences under 18 years of age. Only broadcast between 0:00 to 5:00.The symbols are put in the lower-left or lower right corner on screen.
In Norway Television broadcasters are obliged to classify their programmes in the following age categories: A (all ages), 6 years, 9 years, 12 years, 15 years or 18 years. The classification must be based on the guidelines made by The Norwegian Media Authority. Programmes in the different age categories must be transmitted according to the following time schedule during the day:
Television broadcasters shall specify the age limit acoustically before the programme starts or clearly mark the programme with an age limit throughout its duration. Television broadcasters shall also specify the age limit in programme schedules and electronic programme guides. Content that is judged to be harmful to minors are a no-no from broadcast altogether. [39]
In the Philippines, the Movie and Television Review and Classification Board, commonly known as MTRCB, implements and regulates local television content rating systems. In 1979, it only had implemented two television ratings: "General Viewership" (GV) later renamed (General Patronage/GP) in 1995 and "Parental Guidance" (PG), in the mid-1990s up until from now on, some advisories are simply written on the upper left side or at the lower right side of the television screen.
On 6 October 2011, in order to encourage parents to supervise and be responsible with their children in watching television, the MTRCB revamped its rating system, implementing a three-tiered system:[40] [41] [42]
| Pictogram | Classification rating | English name | Filipino name | Description | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| G | General Patronage | – | Suitable for all audiences.[43] | ||
| PG | Parental Guidance | Patnubay at Gabay | May contain scenes or other content that are unsuitable for children without the guidance of a parent.[44] | ||
| SPG | Strong Parental Guidance | Striktong Patnubay at Gabay | Contains mature themes or moderate to intense violence, which may be deemed unfit for children to watch without strong and vigilant parental supervision.[45] |
The new ratings system is similar to the old one, but the look and the ratings themselves were completely revamped. All of these were only implemented on Free to-Air Television stations. The new system consists of a new full-screen advisory of the programme's rating which is played before each programme, whatever the rating of such programme is, except in the case of programmes with SPG rating, wherein the rating must be aired twice (before the start of the programme and after each commercial break. e.g. in the middle part of the programme). A rating logo then appears at the bottom right of the screen during a programme if it was rated as such. Sometimes, when annotations are to be put and it takes the place of the logo, then it has to be put on the upper left side of the screen, opposite the logo of the TV station.[46] [47]
On 9 February 2012, the SPG rating was implemented,[48] which utilizes at least one of the following content descriptors:
The SPG rating was first broadcast on the film Cinco which was aired in ABS-CBN, where it had its old advisory.
Before 2000, Poland did not have a uniform classification system for television programmes. Some stations, however, applied their own systems. TVP showed a card with the text "Adult only" or "Film for adult audiences only".[49] Canal+ used their set-top box key colors (green, yellow, red) to indicate "General Audiences", "Most Likely for Adults" and "For Adults". Until 27 February 2000, TVN marked adult movies with a pulsating red circle.[50] On 1 March 2000, the "Friendly Media" agreement with the KRRiT and the broadcasters was reached to introduce a uniform system of classification. Eight television broadcasters – TVP, Polsat, TVN, Nasza TV, Canal+, Wizja TV, Polish Cable Television and TV Niepokalanów – had signed the agreement.
The current Polish television rating system was introduced on 15 August 2005 and consists of five icons which need to be broadcast for the entire duration of the program.[51] On 28 August 2011, their appearance was changed to the following:[52]
| Symbol | Name! | Broadcast restriction | Possible contents |
|---|---|---|---|
| No age limit | None | Positive or neutral view of the world, little to no violence, non-sexual love, and no sexual content. | |
| For minors from age 7 | None | As above; may additionally contain some mild language, bloodless violence, and a more negative view of the world. | |
| For minors from age 12 | None | May contain some foul language, some violence, and some sexual content. | |
| For minors from age 16 | Only 8 PM–6 AM | Deviant social behaviour, world filled with violence and sexuality, simplified picture of adulthood, display of physical force, especially in controversial social context (against or by parents, teachers, etc.), immoral behaviour without ethic dilemma, putting the blame on the victim, excessive concentration on material possessions. | |
| Permitted from age of 18 only | Only 11 PM–6 AM | One-sided display of the joys of adult life without showing responsibilities (e.g. work), social justification of violent behaviour, excessive vulgarity, use of racial slurs and social stereotypes, explicit sexual content, praise of aggression or vulgarity, access to these programmes is locked by a personal password.Since May 2022, this category is split further into four sub-categories:P – Przemoc (Violence),N – Narkotyki (Drugs), S – Seks (Sex) and W – Wulgaryzm (Vulgarity). | |
For a long time, the only existing regulation on Portuguese television was that programmes with potentially shocking or harmful content could air only between 10:30pm and 6am and with a red circular marker on the top-right corner of the screen indicating it was for audiences aged 16 and over.
In 2006, all free-to-air networks decided to complement this rule with a shared, more detailed rating system for TV shows:
These logos must be shown during 10 seconds in the beginning of any programme and after every break. If a programme is rated 16, it can only be broadcast between 10:30pm and 6am.[53] However, most cable channels in Portugal use the Spanish classification system.
The current Romanian rating symbols were adopted in September 2002, and are as follows:[54] On April 3, 2006, the rating "16" was abolished and was replaced with "15":[55]
The rating system for programmes and films shown on Russian television:[56]
These logos are shown in the beginning of the programme and after every break.
Singapore has adopted the use of TV Ratings from 21 October 2011. They consist of
PG and PG13 ratings for Free-to-Air TV and NC16 and M18 ratings in addition to the PG and PG13 ratings for Pay TV channels. For Free-to-Air TV, the shows rated PG may be aired anytime while PG13 should air between 10pm to 6am. For Pay TV, PG13 rated programmes can be shown anytime. Before the rated programme starts the TV channels will show a notification. From now on, only StarHub TV's and Singtel TV's self-packaged non-regional Pay TV channels (e.g. StarHub TV's E City and Sensasi and Singtel TV's FashionTV HD and FashionTV HD on Demand, both of which features modeling nudity in certain programmes) are enabled to carry NC16 and M18 rated content. FashionTV is also Singapore's first official M18 rated channel. M18 rated programmes can only be telecast from 10pm onwards to 6am on Pay TV. Regional channels like Fox Life, Fox Movies and HBO Asia are unable to carry Infocomm Media Development Authority's film ratings as they are targeted at the same region (a certain group of Asia territories), which results in programmes being subjected to external censorship of a much harsher nature outside Singapore territorial control. Only Video on Demand (VOD) Pay TV services are allowed to carry R21 content currently. G-rated programmes are not required to show a notification for any channel.Slovakian government accepted a law in 2001 (updated in 2007), in which television stations are required to display one of the following icons during all the programme and in promos:[57] [58] [59]
Additional icons used only for educational content which are unused after 2024:
For content suitable for all children, a green "U" icon is available, but broadcasters are not required to use it. Until 2007, all ratings went with faces: green smiley face – all viewers; orange sad face – suitable for 7, 12, 15 years and over; red very sad face – suitable for adults only. In 2024, rating were once again updated, this time at beginning of each programme and in promos, content descriptions were added to the programming:[62] [63]
Slovenian government accepted a law in 2004,[64] in which television stations are required to play a voiceover and age icon warning, which has to be at least 10 seconds long before programmes, inappropriate for some audiences begin. Additionally, one of the following icons (a white rhombus with the age number) has to be displayed for the duration of the programme:[65]
The original content rating icons (used before 2014)[66] were a red triangle with a stylised eye for content rated +15, while adult-only content used a red circle with a stylised eye.[67]
Sometimes, age rating symbols are accompanied by additional symbols, which are not shown on-screen and warn the audience of the type of inappropriate content:[68]
Programmes, appropriate for all audiences do not have a rating.
The public broadcaster RTV Slovenija and most other broadcasters use three watersheds. 12+ rated content is shown between 8 PM and 5 AM, 15+ rated programmes are allowed between 10 PM and 5 AM, and adult-only content can be shown between midnight and 5 AM. Cartoons and children's programmes are screened until 7 PM.[69]
The South Korean television rating system has been in force since 2000, and it started with only four classifications which are All, 7, 13 and 19. In February 2001, all programmes except domestic dramas (which had been enforced since November 2002) has required to have a rating system. In 2007, rating 13 was replaced with 12 and the 15 ratings. Most programmes have to be rated, except the "exempt" rating below. Even if it qualifies for being exempt, a broadcaster may apply a rating.[70]
Rating icons may be transparent, and can be positioned either on the upper-left or upper-right corner of the screen. The icon has a size of at least 1/20 of the screen, and has black writing on a yellow circle with a white outline. These icons are shown for 30 seconds when the programme starts, and are shown again every 10 minutes, and when the programme resumes after commercial breaks. This does not apply to 19-rated programmes, where the icon must be visible throughout the entire programme. These regulations do not apply to the "All" rating, as it does not have an icon. A rating disclaimer is displayed on the start of the programme for five seconds stating "This programme is prohibited for children under the age of X, so parental accompaniment is required" (I peurogeuraemeun X-se mimanui eorini/cheongsonyeoni sicheonghagi-e bujeokjeolhameuro bohoja-ui sicheongjidoga piryohan peurogeuraemimnida.) for 7, 12, and 15 ratings. "All" and "19" ratings have a different disclaimer, which say "This programme is suitable for all ages" (I peurogeuraemeun modeun yeollyeong-ui sicheongjaga sicheonghal su inneun peurogeuraemimnida.) and "This programme is prohibited for children under the age of 19" (I peurogeuraemeun sipguse mimanui cheongsonyeoni sicheonghagi-e bujeokjeolhan peurogeuraemimnida.) respectively.
These ratings are used by all South Korean television broadcasters. Despite being intended for viewing outside of the country, KBS World also uses these ratings.
South Korean television ratings do not include content descriptors or advisories as they do in most other nations. The ratings are therefore used in a broader sense.
In Thailand, a television rating system was introduced in 2006 alongside a movie rating system for movies. In September 2013, the television rating was revised.
Under the new guideline, the so-called 'Free TV' channels have to label their programmes and reschedule their shows to comply in the following categories:
TV programmes in Thailand are already labeled by a certain system of categories, a practice criticised by rights group as nanny-state censorship and ridiculed by some Netizens for its confusing standards.
The TV content rating system in Turkey was introduced by RTÜK in 2006. The ratings are the following:[71]
News programmes, sports competitions, religious ceremonies and commercial communication broadcasts are exempt from the content rating system.
See main article: TV Parental Guidelines. The TV parental guidelines were first proposed on December 19, 1996, as a voluntary-participation system—in which ratings are determined by participating broadcast and cable networks—by the United States Congress, the television industry and the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), and went into effect by January 1, 1997, on most major broadcast and cable networks in response to concerns from parents and advocacy groups[72] regarding increasingly explicit sexual content, graphic violence and strong profanity in American television programming, and was designed to be used in conjunction with the V-chip, which the U.S. government had mandated to be built into all television sets manufactured from 2000 onward (and the vast majority of cable/satellite set-top boxes). The system—which is used for, including but not limited to, most television series, specials, made-for-television films, and theatrically released films re-edited for broadcast or basic cable telecast—has since been applied to internet-based television services (such as Hulu, Amazon Prime Video and Netflix), digital video retailers (such as Apple's iTunes Store and Google Play) and digital media players (such as Amazon Fire TV, Apple TV, Android TV and Roku). The guidelines are not assigned to sports or news programmes nor are they used during commercial advertisements, outside of promotional ads for network programmes.
The rating icons are required to be shown for 15 seconds at the start of each program, although since June 2005, many advertiser-supported network broadcasters and some syndication divisions also display the assigned rating for that particular programme after each commercial break; for networks and syndicators that continue to run the rating icon once per hour during a programme running longer than 60 minutes, the broadcaster may show the rating again during a segment/scene that starts closest to the top of the next clock hour. Premium channels—in addition to applying them to any offered original programming—may assign Parental Guideline ratings for theatrical or home video-released movies that either did not receive a Motion Picture Association-assigned rating or were aired as an "unrated" cut, which is an exempt.
TV-Y – All Children: This program is designed to be appropriate for all children, including children from ages 2-6.[73]
Designed to be appropriate for children of all ages. The thematic elements portrayed in programmes with this rating are specifically designed for a very young audience.
TV-Y7 – Directed to Older Children: This program is designed for children age 7 and above.
Designed for children age 7 and older. The FCC states that it "may be more appropriate for children who have acquired the developmental skills needed to distinguish between make-believe and reality". The thematic elements portrayed in programmes with this rating contain mild fantasy and comedic violence.
TV-Y7-FV Programs where fantasy violence may be more intense or more combative.Programmes given the "FV" content descriptor exhibit more 'fantasy violence' and are generally more intense or combative than other programmes rated TV-Y7.
TV-G – General Audience: Most parents will find this program suitable for all ages.
Programmes are generally suitable for all audiences, though they may not necessarily contain content of interest to children. The FCC states that "this rating does not signify a program designed specifically for children, [and] most parents may let younger children watch this program unattended". The thematic elements portrayed in programmes with this rating contain little or no violence, mild language, and little or no sexual dialogue or situations.
TV-PG – Parental Guidance Suggested: This program contains material that parents may find unsuitable for younger children.
Programmes may contain some material that parents or guardians may find inappropriate for younger children. Programmes assigned a TV-PG rating may include infrequent coarse language, some sexual content, some suggestive dialogue, or moderate violence.
TV-14 – Parents Strongly Cautioned: This program contains material that most parents would find unsuitable for children under 14 years of age.
Programmes contain material that parents or adult guardians may find unsuitable for children under the age of 14. The FCC warns that "parents are cautioned to exercise some care in monitoring this program and are cautioned against letting children under the age of 14 watch unattended".[73] Programmes with this rating contain intensely suggestive dialogue, strong coarse language, intense sexual situations or intense violence.
TV-MA – Mature Audience Only: This program is specifically designed to be viewed by adults and therefore may be unsuitable for children under 17.
Contains content that may be unsuitable for children. This rating is rarely used by broadcast networks or local television stations, although it is commonly applied to television programmes featured on certain cable channels (basic and premium networks) and streaming networks for both mainstream and softcore programmes. Programmes with this rating may include crude indecent language, explicit sexual activity and graphic violence.
Some thematic elements, according to the FCC, "may call for parental guidance and/or the program may contain one or more of the following" sub-ratings, designated with an alphabetic letter:[74]
Up to four content descriptors can be applied along with an applied rating, depending on the kind of suggestive content featured in a programme (with the exception of the "FV" sub-rating, due to its sole applicable use for children's programmes). As the rating increases pertaining to the age, the content matters generally get more intensive. The 'suggestive dialogue' descriptor is used for TV-PG and TV-14 rated programmes only, although certain networks may choose to rate their TV-MA programmes with the descriptor, while the DLSV sub-ratings are only used with the TV-PG and TV-14 ratings.
An additional content descriptor, "E/I", is applied to select TV-Y, TV-Y7, and TV-G programmes that are designed to meet the educational and informative needs of children aged 16 and under. A minimum of three hours of E/I-compliant programming must be broadcast per week by each television network; E/I programming must air between 6:00 a.m. and 10:00 p.m. to count toward this minimum.
See main article: United States pay television content advisory system. The American pay television industry uses a separate, unrelated content advisory system—used in conjunction with the TV Parental Guidelines and the Motion Picture Association rating system—that first went into effect on March 1, 1994, on participating cable-originated premium channels and pay-per-view services (led by the system's charter services, HBO, Cinemax, Showtime and The Movie Channel). Inspired by similar content guidelines that had already been included in the services’ monthly programme guides, the voluntary-participation system provides guidance to pay-cable subscribers on the suitability of a program for certain audiences based on its content.[75] [76] Thematic material is rated based on a ten-code system, designated with a two- or three-letter abbreviation and corresponding descriptor:
Up to five content descriptors can be applied, alongside the corresponding rating, to an individual programme to advise viewers of content that may be inappropriate for minors, depending on age group, or for adults with particular sensitivities to certain kinds of mature content.[77] [78]
Television content in Venezuela is regulated by the Law on Social Responsibility on Radio and Television (Ley de Responsabilidad Social en Radio y Televisión), introduced in January 2003. Free-to-air television broadcasters are required to classify their programmes using the following ratings:[79]
It is mandatory for all Venezuelan television stations to broadcast a short presentation, before the broadcast of any programmes, made by the same channel, where the type of programme (recreational, informational, mixed, etc.), type of production (domestic or national independent) elements include containing (such as language, health, sex and/or violence) and lastly the rating of the programme.
In Vietnam, VOD and Pay-TV content are subject to the same regulations used to classify films for the cinema.[80] The current ratings are: