What Do TV Ratings Mean? TV-Y to TV-MA Explained
The small box in the corner at the start of a show says more than most people realise. Every US TV rating from TV-Y to TV-MA, the content letters beside them, and how families can put them to use.
· 4 min read
TV ratings are age guidance labels that appear in the corner of the screen at the start of a programme. In the United States the scale runs from TV-Y, made for all children, through TV-G, TV-PG and TV-14 up to TV-MA, which means the show is intended for adults and may be unsuitable for anyone under 17. Extra letters such as V, L or S explain why a show earned its rating.
The system is known as the TV Parental Guidelines. It was introduced in the late 1990s, and the ratings are assigned by the networks and producers themselves rather than by a single outside panel.
The ratings at a glance
| Rating | Meaning | What to expect |
|---|---|---|
| TV-Y | All children | Made for very young viewers, including toddlers and preschoolers |
| TV-Y7 | Directed to older children | Aimed at children aged 7 and up; may include mild comic or fantasy peril that could frighten younger ones |
| TV-G | General audience | Suitable for most ages, though not specifically made for children |
| TV-PG | Parental guidance suggested | Some material parents may find unsuitable for younger children |
| TV-14 | Parents strongly cautioned | Material many parents would find unsuitable for children under 14 |
| TV-MA | Mature audience only | Intended for adults and may be unsuitable for children under 17 |
The letters beside the rating
Many ratings carry one or more content descriptors, small letters that tell you what kind of material pushed a show into its category:
- D for suggestive dialogue
- L for coarse or crude language
- S for sexual situations
- V for violence
- FV for fantasy violence, used only with TV-Y7 for animated action and cartoon battles
So a show marked TV-14-LV has language and violence strong enough to earn the 14 label, while a TV-PG-D programme is mostly about the conversations. The descriptors are often more useful than the rating itself, because two shows with the same rating can be very different in what they contain.
What does TV-MA mean in practice?
TV-MA sits at the top of the scale. Shows with this label may contain strong violence, explicit language or sexual content that the producers consider suitable only for adults. On broadcast television it is less common; on streaming services and cable it covers a large share of dramas, thrillers and adult comedies.
Is TV-MA worse than an R rating?
They come from different systems. Film ratings such as G, PG, PG-13, R and NC-17 are given by a separate body for cinema releases, while TV ratings are applied by broadcasters. Both TV-MA and R signal content meant for older viewers, but the two scales were not designed to match exactly, so treat them as similar warnings rather than direct equivalents.
What does TV-PG mean?
TV-PG is one of the most common labels on family evening television. It means some content, perhaps mild language, brief violence or themes that need explaining, might not suit younger children. Many households treat TV-PG shows as fine for watching together, with a parent nearby to answer questions.
What does TV-14 mean?
TV-14 is a firmer warning. Programmes in this group may include more intense violence, stronger language or more mature themes. The label suggests parents should look at the descriptors, and perhaps an episode, before handing over the remote to a younger teen.
How streaming services handle ratings
Most streaming platforms show the TV rating, the film rating or both on the title page, and many add their own maturity tiers on top. Profiles for children usually limit what can be played to a chosen level. Because each service sets this up a little differently, it pays to check the parental controls in each app as well as on the TV or streaming box itself.
Putting ratings to work at home
- Set up separate profiles for children on every streaming service you use, with a maturity limit that suits their age.
- Add a PIN to adult profiles and to purchases or rentals.
- Use the TV's own parental controls. Most sets sold in the US include a feature, often called the V-chip, that can block broadcast programmes above a chosen rating.
- Look at the descriptors, not just the age label, to decide what matters to your family.
- Remember the phone. Anything cast from a phone to the TV follows the phone's settings, not the TV's.
- Talk about it. Ratings are a starting point; children understand rules better when they know the reasons.
The limits of any rating
Ratings are a broad guide applied by the people who make or air the show, and families differ in what they are comfortable with. A rating cannot capture whether a theme will upset a particular child, or whether a teenager is ready for a certain story. Reading a short summary, watching the first episode together, or simply asking what friends are watching fills in the gaps.
As more households move their viewing onto apps and internet-based television, the little box in the corner of the screen is still one of the simplest tools for deciding what is right for your living room.
Small jobs
Little habits that save a cold morning
Five-minute things that pay back all winter.
Tag the shut-off valve
A bright label on the main water valve saves precious minutes if a pipe ever splits.
Keep a torch by the back door
Fetching logs or checking the yard after dark is easier and safer with a light to hand.
Note the box’s model number
When a streaming box misbehaves, the model number takes you to the right help page much faster.
Wipe the pan while it is warm
Cast iron cleans easiest straight after supper, before anything has had time to set hard.
Something to add?
We read every message.
