The history of TV ratings can be traced back to the early days of television, when the industry sought to self-regulate the content of TV shows to avoid government censorship. In this article, we will explore the history of TV ratings, including the development of the current rating system and the criteria used to rate TV content.
The Early Days of TV Ratings
TV ratings have a long and complex history that can be traced back to the early days of television. In the early days of TV, there were no official ratings for TV shows, and producers were free to include whatever content they saw fit. This led to a variety of TV shows with different levels of violence, explicit content, and mature themes, which some people found disturbing or inappropriate.
To address these concerns, the TV industry began to self-regulate the content of TV shows. In 1952, the National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) adopted the NAB Code, a set of guidelines that outlined the acceptable content for TV shows. The NAB Code prohibited a variety of content, including nudity, profanity, and the depiction of criminal activities.
The Current Rating System
In 1997, the TV Parental Guidelines were introduced, which established the current TV rating system that is still in use today. The current rating system includes the following categories:
- TV-Y (All Children): TV shows rated TV-Y are suitable for all children.
- TV-Y7 (Directed to Older Children): TV shows rated TV-Y7 may contain content that is not suitable for children under 7, such as mild violence or language.
- TV-G (General Audience): TV shows rated TV-G are suitable for all ages.
- TV-PG (Parental Guidance Suggested): TV shows rated TV-PG may contain content that is not suitable for children under 13, such as mild violence or language.
- TV-14 (Parents Strongly Cautioned): TV shows rated TV-14 may contain content that is not suitable for children under 14, such as intense violence or sexual content.
- TV-MA (Mature Audience Only): TV shows rated TV-MA may contain content that is not suitable for children under 17, such as strong violence, sexual content, and drug use.
Criteria for Rating TV Content
The TV rating system is designed to inform audiences about the content of TV shows and to allow parents to make informed decisions about what is suitable for their children. The criteria used to rate TV content include the following:
- Language: TV shows may be rated based on the use of language, including the use of profanity, slurs, or other inappropriate language.
- Violence: TV shows may be rated based on the depiction of violence, including the intensity and frequency of violent acts.
- Sexual content: TV shows may be rated based on the depiction of sexual content, including the explicitness and frequency of sexual acts.
- Drug use: TV shows may be rated based on the depiction of drug use, including the frequency and consequences of drug use.
- Theme: TV shows may be rated based on the overall theme or tone of the show, including the presence of mature themes or subjects.
The Impact of TV Ratings
TV ratings have had a significant impact on the TV industry. The rating system helps to inform audiences about the content of TV shows and allows them to make informed decisions about what they want to watch. It also helps to protect young audiences from potentially inappropriate content and allows parents to make decisions about what is suitable for their children.
TV ratings have also had an impact on the distribution and marketing of TV shows. Shows with certain ratings may be restricted in certain markets, and some advertisers may be hesitant to advertise for shows with certain ratings. This can impact the financial success of a show and may influence the types of shows that are produced.
The history of TV ratings is a long and complex one, with the current rating system being the result of decades of self-regulation and industry standards. TV ratings have played a significant role in shaping the TV industry and continue to be an important tool for informing audiences about the content of TV shows.