>Opinions | Fixing A Flawed System

Originally Posted by Jeff Harris

In Deciphering The TV Ratings System a little over a year ago, I talked about what the television ratings used in the United States and Canada meant. In Big Ratings Are Annoying (But You Already Knew That), I talked about the recent idiotic placement of supersized ratings icons and smaller ones after the show returns from commercial breaks, and I talked about how because even though they've increased the amount of time the ratings were on-screen, that doesn't mean people will understand them any more.

I'll be honest. I think that responsible parenting is needed in this country, and to have to be told what their kids can and can't watch. But I understand why the television ratings system is needed. A lot of parents are lazy and a bit ignorant of what's on, and they need something to help them out in finding programming choices. The fact is that, like the video game rating system before it, the television ratings system is totally flawed. The fact that there's no universal standard for all broadcasts (in the first article mentioned, I said that a TV-MA-rated and edited South Park would barely register a TV-14 on HBO) makes parents who must be told what's in everything a little confused. If they're confused, they tend to get agitated. And when they get agitated, you see actions like the stuff I pointed out in the second article. People who actually value the freedom of choice will be the ones to suffer. So, to aleviate any further agitation, I think that the television ratings system should be amended for the better.

Exemptions:

For starters, I'd revise what should and shouldn't be rated. News, political and religious commentary, and sports programming should definitely be rated, unlike today, when they aren't in the US. News programs are very sensational, violent, and disturbing, more than a lot of the shows on television these days. In fact, there is more violence on news and sports programming than a lot of television shows that get blasted for violent content. Plus, documentaries are rated by the current system, and documentaries are nothing more than elongated news stories with opinions, so, they should be rated. I'd eliminate the need for ratings on general service/entertainment networks. You know, channels like DiY, Fine Living, Food Network, HGTV, BET Jazz, The Weather Channel, Discovery Home, and others. They largely air 99.9% TV-G programming in the first place and fit a service, not unlike shopping channels (which aren't rated either).

As for the actual ratings themselves, I feel their should be a universal standard in determining them, not just a network-specific standard. Also, I'd create new ones and revamp a lot of the current ones to give family viewers exactly some kind of idea of what they're looking at (note: I'm only referring to the US television ratings):

Children-oriented Ratings:

TV-EI

TV-EI would replace the TV-Y, TV-Y7, and TV-G ratings for those with the additional current E/I label on them. Most broadcast programmers place the E/I label in shows that are clearly not educational or informational (have you learned anything from Lizzie McGuire, Saved By The Bell, or That's So Raven? [also, notice that Cartoon Network's Tickle U programming doesn't carry an E/I label]). A majority of the TV-Y programming on broadcast television with the E/I label tacked on them wouldn't.

Examples of TV-EI shows:

- Educational programming for all audiences
- "Edutainment" blocks like Nick Jr., Noggin, Playhouse Disney, Discovery Kids, PBS Kids, and TLC's Ready Set Learn.
- Kid-friendly educational programming in syndication and broadcast television, including locally-produced fare.
- Kid-friendly informational programming.

TV-Y

TV-Y would still represent the "mildest" ratings for television. These ratings are designated for shows deemed "safe" for children and produced for children up to 8 years old, systematically becoming a "pre-tween" rating. Most of these shows tend to be tame and non-violent.

Why the change? Well, the TV-Y rating should be considered the safest kid-friendly rating on television, and many shows that carry the TV-Y7 and TV-G ratings, mostly comedic programming with slightly rude behavior and mischief like a majority of the shows seen on Cartoon Network Fridays block, are relatively tame. Because they are clearly meant for younger audiences, they shouldn't be saddled with a slightly harsher rating like TV-Y7 as many shows are now.

Examples of TV-Y shows:

- Most non-action animated series from the likes of companies like Disney, DiC, and Nickelodeon
- Cartoon Network's Tickle U blcok (because it's mostly an entertainment block for preschoolers, which isn't a bad thing) and most Cartoon Network non-action shows, including shows currently rated TV-G like Dexter's Laboratory and Ed, Edd, and Eddy, TV-Y7 shows like or HiHi Puffy AmiYumi and Camp Lazlo.

TV-Y8

I'd bump up the popular TV-Y7 up to TV-Y8 not unlike the Canadian rating C8. Plus, seven-year-olds aren't mature enough to appreciate some shows that would be considered for the "tween" audience. TV-Y8 is designated for shows filled with cartoonish violence, rude behavior, and other so-called "subversive materials" (you know, pratfalls and juvenile humor). In other words, the good shows. In many cases, these are often the highest-rated shows on Saturday morning broadcast television. These shows also bring in the most revenue for kid-oriented cable networks as well.

Examples of TV-Y8 shows:

- Live-action adventure shows like Spellbinder, Power Rangers, The Tribe, The Tomorrow People, Edgemont, Young Hercules, Deep Water Black, Space Cases, and countless others.
- Tween-oriented comedies, dramas, and variety shows on outlets like Nickelodeon, ABC Family, and Disney Channel
- Certain comedic cartoons from Cartoon Network and Nickelodeon and some action cartoons like Avatar, Kim Possible, DuelMasters, Transformers, Super Hyper Monkey Team Action Force Go!, Danny Phantom, Mighty Ducks, Totally Spies, Teen Titans, and Zatch Bell.
- Most golden age theatrical shorts from Warner Bros., Fleischer, and MGM
- 80% of 4Kids programming

TV-YT

TV-YT is for programming aimed towards young teens 12 and up and can also carry the "FV" (fantasy violence) label as well. Why TV-YT? Look at blocks like Toonami and The N. Although some shows on Toonami are currently labeled for a younger demographic doesn't mean it's the right demographic. Justice League, Dragon Ball Z, Naruto, Yu Yu Hakusho, and a few others aren't really TV-Y7 material. Noggin's young teen block of programming, The N, has most of their programs rated TV-PG. The programming may have light profanity and numerous bouts of teen angst, but that doesn't mean parents have to watch those shows with their teens. Afterall, these shows are designed for young teens in mind. These shows may also have light profanity and sexual situations as well as animated shows from Japan like InuYasha, Full Metal Alchemist, or Case Closed. There has to be a middleground rating for those too old for what is currently TV-Y7 and those that don't need parental guidance like in the TV-PG standards, and TV-YT would fit the system.

Examples of TV-YT shows:

- Most uncut FUNimation-produced products.
- Certain teen-oriented programming with no to little profanity on The N (DeGrassi High, Daria, O'Grady, Instant Star, Fresh Prince), ABC Family (Wildfire, Beautiful People), and The WB (Reba, What I Like About You).
- Action fare like Justice League, Naruto, IGPX, Gargoyles, InuYasha, Lupin III, Vandread, and others.

Non-Children-oriented/Primetime Ratings:

TV-G

The "generic" rating by critics. These ratings are purely the family-friendly rating that the government wishes all shows could be. G stands for General Audiences. It's found mostly on cooking/do-it-yourself shows, game shows, most "classic" sitcoms, some science/nature documentaries, and prime-time cartoons that are just the borderline between TV-Y and TV-Y8, like classic theatrical shorts, Dexter's Laboratory, The Flintstones, Top Cat, and others. In essence, it'd stay the same as it is now.

TV-PG

TV-PG is a rating set aside for family television. These shows should have limited profanity, light/fantasy violence, and limited sexual discussion. However, this particular rating is geared for shows not made for children viewers in mind. Many of the family-friendly primetime shows like Everybody Loves Raymond, Malcolm in the Middle, My Wife and Kids, and The Simpsons tend to carry this rating rather than TV-G.

TV-14

TV-14 is often misunderstood by broadcasters as "adult." On primetime broadcast television and most cable networks, it's the highest allowable rating they can air. The literal definition of the TV-14 rating means that this program is not intended for viewers under the age of 14 (i.e. high-school age). That's why Adult Swim changed their disclaimer at the beginning of the block. TV-14 rated programs are amongst the highest rated shows on both broadcast television and cable television, from the likes of shows ranging from Friends and Family Guy to WWE Raw and CSI to Cowboy Bebop and Angel to soap operas and Conan O'Brien. They're the most popular and, in the same breath, some of the most criticized shows on television due to their overt sexual references, violence, and the use of certain profanities. Of course, they're not the limit of what can and can't be shown on television.

TV-18 and TV-MA

TV-18 should replace certain aspects of TV-MA, basically, the need for programming for audiences 18 and up on basic cable and broadcast television. However, since certain elements have to be limited on broadcast television and basic cable in the United States, mainly adult language, sexual situations, and violence, the TV-MA rating is a bit confusing for some people.

The Shield and Deadwood are, in the current system, both TV-MA. However, as violent and profane as The Shield is, Deadwood is more violent and much more profane. Even shows on Adult Swim like Robot Chicken and The Venture Brothers have crossed the TV-MA threshold on occasion, despite being held back. Truth be told, the only reason basic cable shows are given the TV-MA rating is that that's the highest, strictest rating in this country. However, TV-MA should be set aside for the most violent, sexual, and profane shows out there. As it stands, a show that's TV-MA on Cartoon Network in a censored form would barely register a TV-14 on HBO. There should be shows on basic cable that are definitely not intended for kids or school-aged teens, and since there are limits in this country, there needs to be a rating that reflects that, and that's why I proposed TV-18.

TV-18 should be the most extreme rating broadcast television and basic cable should have. Let's be honest, the US will never allow anything currently higher than a TV-14 on broadcast television on a weekly basis, especially since the next highest rating is the most extreme one, TV-MA. In fact, TV-18 would be a rating just made for the "safe harbor" time period (between 10 PM and 6 AM) that says that they can air whatever they want. Strangely, broadcast networks haven't exactly used that leeway to their advantage, and if the current climate in Washington continues, that "safe harbor" may be gone forever.

TV-MA would be restricted to premium cable television and only premium cable television. Since the United States remain relatively immature when it comes to sexual situations, violence, and graphic language, TV-MA is purely for the non-prudes. The Sopranos. Deadwood. Six Feet Under. Oz. These shows are brutal, raw, unflinching, and very controversial. They were clearly made for adult audiences only. The difference between TV-MA and TV-14 is that TV-MA will largely be a cable-only rating dedicated to uncut and unedited original series and specials without commercial interruption. No edited-for-television disclaimers. No muted, bleeped, or censored language. No blurred violence. Pretty much the most extreme programming that could be found on premium networks.

Of course, I could say that there should also be a TV-AO rating for uncut, pornographic programming on pay-per-view since they too carry the TV-MA rating with them, but rules prevent me from discussing the shows/movies and even the channels those truly adult movies can be seen.

The Presentation of Ratings:

The last thing I'd do is change the way the ratings are presented in programming and promos. Right now, on most basic cable networks, ABC, NBC, and after every other commercial break on Fox, the rating is displayed at the beginning of a show and after every commerical break (I talked about that here). On most networks, the television rating is seen briefly in the corner of the screen of some promos. I'd follow the old Fox Kids model in ratings presentation (now seen on FX for TV-MA programming and on Showtime for their programming) which had the rating displayed prominently at the beginning of a show with an audio description of what the rating is and why it's rated this way without ratings graphics brusing the screen. In network promos and lead-ins after commercial breaks, I'd have the rating at the end of the promos with an audio description, not unlike movie promos.