U.S. BROADCASTERS BEGIN RATING TV SHOWS
By Adnews Staff
U.S. TV programs have begun carrying ratings labels similar to those used for movies. The ratings, which will appear at the start of a program, will enable parents to decide whether shows are suitable for their children. Canadian broadcasters are expected to follow the U.S. example later in the new year. There are six different ratings for the U.S. shows: TV-Y indicates a show suitable for all children, TV-Y7 designates a show intended for children aged seven or older and TV-G signifies a show suitable for a general audience. TV-PG indicates a program that may not be suitable for younger viewers, TV-14 is used for shows that may be unsuitable for children under 14 and TV-M indicates a show designed for adults. The rating system was developed by a television industry committee.