The direct description of each rating from the TV Parental Guidelines Monitoring Board is listed above the extended ratings description.
Ratings[]
TV-Y[]
This program is designed to be appropriate for all children. Programs rated TV-Y are designed to be appropriate for children of all ages. The thematic elements portrayed in programs with this rating are specifically designed for a very young audience.
TV-Y7[]
This program is designed for children age 7 and above. Programs rated TV-Y7 are 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." Programs given the "FV" content descriptor exhibit more 'fantasy violence' and are generally more intense or combative than other programs rated TV-Y7.
TV-G[]
This program is suitable for all ages. Programs rated TV-G are generally suited 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 programs with this rating contain little or no violence, mild language, and no sexual dialogue or situations.
TV-PG[]
This program contains material that parents may find unsuitable for younger children. Programs rated TV-PG may contain some material that parents or guardians may find inappropriate for younger children. Programs assigned a TV-PG rating may include some inappropriate language, very little sexual content, suggestive dialogue, and/or mild violence.
TV-14[]
This program contains some material that many parents would find unsuitable for children under 14 years of age. Programs rated TV-14 contains 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. Programs with this rating contain crude humor, drug/alcohol use, inappropriate language, strong violence (may include some amounts of blood and gore), sex, and moderate suggestive themes or dialogue.
TV-MA[]
This program is specifically designed to be viewed by adults and therefore may be unsuitable for children under 17. Contains content that is unsuitable for children. This rating was originally TV-M prior to the announced revisions to the rating system in August 1997 but was changed due to a trademark dispute and in order to remove confusion with the Entertainment Software Rating Board's (ESRB) "M for Mature" rating for video games This rating is very seldom used by broadcast networks or local television stations due to FCC restrictions on program content, although it is commonly applied to television programs featured on certain cable channels (basic and premium networks) and streaming networks for both mainstream and softcore programs. Broadcast programming that has carried a TV-MA warning includes the pilot of the CBS police series Brooklyn South and documentaries such as Ken Burns' The Vietnam War on PBS, along with a few 10 p.m. ET drama series episodes with sensitive content. Programs with this rating commonly include dark humor, frequent use of profanity, intense violence (may include blood and gore), and/or strong sexual themes.
Standard Labels[]
Dialogue[]
The Dialogue label refers to suggestive content that can be further clarified by secondary labels. All series containing the Dialogue label are rated at least TV-14.
Language[]
The Language label refers to the use of profanity. All series containing the Language label are rated at least TV-14.
Sexual Content[]
The Sexual Content label refers to romantic and/or sexual interactions between characters. The first level of this label is for Minor Romantic Content, while the other is for Sexual Content. Minor Romantic Content makes a series at least TV-G, while Sexual Content makes a series at least TV-PG. Keep in mind that sexual content cannot be graphically described in any capacity.
Violence[]
The Violence label refers to the amount of action the series contains, particularly in regards to fights between characters. The first level of this label is for Fantasy Violence, while the other is for Violence. Fantasy Violence makes a series at least TV-Y7, while Violence makes a series at least TV-PG.
Secondary Labels[]
All secondary labels require more than a mild reference in order to be required. For example, having terrorist attacks does not require the Terrorism tag. These labels are required when content explicitly discusses these themes. You may, however, still add the tag if you wish; in the case where you do not need to add it, but do so anyway, you do not need to follow the minimum rating requirement.
Assault[]
The Assault (A) label refers to violence involving the harming of innocent characters, as opposed to a fight between the main characters. Assault makes a series at least TV-PG.
Abuse[]
The Abuse (AB) label refers to frequent cruel or violent treatment of an individual. Abuse makes a series a TV-14.
Alcohol Use[]
The Alcohol Use (AU) label refers to any references to or the direct consumption of alcohol, and the discussion of the problem of alcoholism. Content that directly encourages the audience to use alcohol is strictly prohibited. Alcohol Use makes a series TV-14.
Child Abuse[]
The Child Abuse (CA) label refers to frequent cruel or violent treatment of a child. Child Abuse makes a series TV-14.
Depression[]
The Depression (D) label refers to the discussion of the general problem of depression. Depression makes a series TV-14.
Drug Use[]
The Drug Use (DU) label refers to any references to or the direct use of drugs, and the discussion of the problem of addiction to drugs. Content that directly encourages the audience to use drugs is strictly prohibited. Drug Use makes a series TV-14.
Domestic Violence[]
The Domestic Violence (DV) label refers to violence within a family, usually between individuals in a romantic relationship, and the discussion of said violence. Domestic Violence makes a series TV-14.
Graphic Violence[]
The Graphic Violence (GV) label refers to extended periods of extreme, intense, gory violence, containing the depiction of excessive amounts of blood or gruesome injuries. Graphic Violence makes a series TV-14.
Murder[]
The Murder (M) label refers to the actual crime of homicide or manslaughter; it refers to the intentional killing of innocent characters, not the killing of main characters by each other. Murder, in general, makes a series at least TV-PG, but is acceptable for TV-Y7 if it is not excessive or significantly descriptive.
Mental Illness[]
The Mental Illness (MI) label refers to the discussion of mental illnesses. Mental Illness makes a series TV-14.
Suicide[]
The Suicide (S) label refers to the discussion of suicide as a result of mental illness, domestic violence, or abuse, not just the existence of a character who committed suicide. Suicide makes a series TV-14.
Terrorism[]
The Terrorism (T) label refers to the existence of characters who use violence or intimidation for political gains or any similar situations, and the discussion of the problems of terrorism and recruitment for terrorism. Any direct references to real-life terrorist organizations or historical terrorist attacks are strictly prohibited. Terrorism makes a series at least TV-PG.
Guidelines for Determining Series Rating[]
In general, a series should be rated based on the proper labels at any point in the series. If a particular label only applies to a very small percentage of the episodes, then it can be neglected for the series as a whole, as long as the episodes containing said label are rated properly.