These guidelines apply to all television programs,
including those directed specifically to young children.
Sports and news shows do not use the Guidelines.

    Many publications (TV Guide, Newspaper listings, etc.) offer the Guidelines along with other programming information. The Guidelines also appear at the beginning of each show. If you have a V-chip equipped television, you can also program it to block programs with specific ratings.

    Because of the vast amount of daily TV programs, networks and producers of  shows determine the Parental Guidelines for their own show. A monitoring board has been formed from a broad range of experts drawn from the television industry.  The Board examines programs whose Guidelines may have been inappropriate and reviews publicly criticized programs to ensure it's accuracy.

    You can send comments concerning the TV Parental Guidelines to the Monitoring Board via email or by sending mail to the address listed below.

These categories apply to programs designed for children:

TVY    All Children.
This program is designed to be appropriate for all children.
Whether animated or live-action, the themes and elements in this program are specifically designed for a very young audience, including children from ages 2 - 6. This program is not expected to frighten younger children..

TVY7   Directed to Older Children.
This program is designed for children age 7 and above.
It may be more appropriate for children who have acquired the developmental skills needed to distinguish between make-believe and reality. Themes and elements in this program may include mild fantasy violence or comedic violence, or may frighten children under the age of 7. Therefore, parents may wish to consider the suitability of this program for their very young children. Note: For those programs where fantasy violence may be more intense or more combative than other programs in this category, such programs will be designated TV-Y7-FV.

The following categories apply to the entire audience.

TVG   General Audience.
This program is suitable for all ages.
Although this rating does not signify a program designed specifically for children, most parents may let younger children watch this program unattended. It contains little or no violence, no strong language and little or no sexual dialogue or situations.

TVPG   Parental Guidance Suggested.
This program may be unsuitable for younger children.
Many parents may want to watch it with their younger children. The theme itself may call for parental guidance and/or the program contains one or more of the following:
Moderate Violence (V)
Some Sexual Situations (S)
Infrequent Coarse Language (L)
or Some Suggestive Dialogue (D)

TV14   Parents Strongly Cautioned.
This program may be unsuitable for children under 14 years of age.
Parents are strongly urged to exercise greater care in monitoring this program and are cautioned against letting children under the age of 14 watch unattended. This program contains one or more of the following:
Intense Violence (V)
Sexual Situations (S)
Strong Language (L)
or Intensely Suggestive Dialogue (D).

TVMA   Mature Audience Only.
This program should be viewed by adults and therefore may be unsuitable for children under 17.
This program contains one or more of the following:
Graphic Violence (V)
Explicit Sexual Activity (S)
or Crude Language (L)

For more information write or call:

TV PARENTAL GUIDELINES
MONITORING BOARD
PO BOX 14097
WASHINGTON, DC 20004
(202) 879-9364