FCC Looks to Revise TV Parental Guidelines

Last week, the FCC’s Media Bureau released a Public Notice looking to update information regarding the current TV Parental Guidelines rating system.  In 1996, Congress passed a law seeking to give parents more information about the programming appearing on television. 

Congress found that parents should be given timely information and the ability to block violent, sexual, or other programming that parents believe is harmful to their children. 

The legislation gave the television industry the option of either creating its own ratings system or having the government adopt regulations.  The industry chose to adopt a voluntary system that was approved by the FCC in 1998.  The TV Parental Guidelines age ratings system is overseen by TV Oversight Management Board (TVOMB).  The FCC solicited comments on this system in 2019 but did not take further action.

The Media Bureau’s Public Notice seeks to update the record by evaluating the TV rating system.  The Notice stated:

"Today, both the traditional broadcast TV sector, multichannel video programming distribution services (MVPDs) (i.e., cable and satellite), and streaming platforms use the voluntary ratings system.  In recent years, however, significant concerns have been raised about the ratings system.  For instance, commenters have raised concerns with the FCC about the accuracy of the ratings, the appropriateness of the ratings, and a shift or ratings creep in which mature, adult, or inappropriate content is being rated as appropriate for young children.  The FCC wants to ensure that the ratings system continues to serve the purpose that Congress had in mind—empowering parents to make informed decisions for their children."

The Media Bureau appears to have raised concerns about children’s programs and gender identity.  The Public Notice contained several suggestions for the TVOMB:

• Increase efforts to promote public awareness of TVOMB and its role in overseeing the rating system.

• Consider ways to inform the public of the number and nature of the of complaints it receives.

• Hold at least one public meeting annually to seek direct public input.

• Consider random audits or spot checks to analyze the accuracy and consistency of the ratings in addition to the survey data it already collects.

• Use this combined data to determine if any changes are needed to the ratings.

Changing the media ratings system is a complex task involving stations, broadcast networks, cable operators, cable networks, streaming services and the motion picture companies.  It took two years to develop the current system.  This proceeding bears watching.  Comments are due May 22^nd and reply comments on June 22^nd.

You can see the medial bureaus Public Notice here.

You can access the website for the rating system and TV Oversight Management Board here.