For all general television programming:

In addition to carrying one of the above age-based ratings, a program rated TV-PG, TV-14 or TV-MA might also carry one or more of the four content-based ratings:

Where do I see the ratings?
Currently, the ratings are displayed in the upper left corner of the TV screen during the first 15 seconds of a television program. For shows that run over an hour, the rating will appear a second time at the start of the second hour.

Why is the system such a jumble of letters and numbers?
The ratings system that began appearing Oct. 1 is actually a combination of two ratings systems: an age-based system and a content-based system.

The original ratings system, developed by the television industry last year and implemented in January, was an age-based system -- much the way movies are rated. That is, the content of a television program is looked at as a whole and then rated based on what age a child might appropriately watch. This was the advent of the TV-Y, TV-Y7, TV-G, TV-PG, TV-14 and TV-MA codes.

But politicians and parents' advocacy groups, led most notably by the National PTA, resoundly criticized this system as soon as it was introduced. They believe the system should be content-based. This means television shows should be rated -- and labeled -- according to how much violence, sex or blue language is actually contained in the program. Parents' advocates argue that a content-based ratings system is more helpful to parents. It allows them to gauge what is in a show and decide for themselves whether it's appropriate for their children. For instance, some parents might feel that their children are mature enough to watch programs with sexual suggestiveness, but do not like exposing them to simulated violence or mayhem. A blanket TV-PG or TV-14 rating does not differentiate between the two situations, the advocacy groups contend, and, therefore, does not allow parents themselves to accurately judge shows.

As the first television season to contain rated programs drew to a close in May 1997, the criticism of the ratings system did not abate.

Advocacy groups wanted the ratings to contain more content-related information. At the same time, the Federal Communications Commission began to review the industry's ratings program for compliance, as it was legally required to do. In addition, some members of Congress who supported a more content-based system were threatening new legislation.

Facing that opposition, the TV industry this past summer met a second time with parents' and children's advocacy groups to discuss the possibility of modifying the system. The result was the content-lettering system and the letters S, V, L, D and FV were added to the original ratings plan.

Who determines the ratings for each show?
Shows are rated by the broadcast and cable networks, producers and distributors who make, package and distribute them. However, local television stations and affiliates have the right to change the rating of a program if they feel the original rating is off the mark.

The television industry rates its own programs?
The industry feels it is the only feasible way to ensure that all of the approximately 2,000 hours of programming broadcast every day in this country can be rated.

To guide the networks and producers on how to accurately rate programs, the industry has established a 24-member Oversight Monitoring Board, currently chaired by Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA) chairman Jack Valenti. Members come from the broadcast, cable and television production industries. In addition, five members come from non-industry advocacy groups. The board is charged with making sure shows are properly labeled and with hearing complaints and disputes about the ratings of shows. The board is also asked to continually get feedback from the public -- and the FCC -- about the effectiveness of the ratings system.

Are news programs rated? What about talk shows? Sports?
Television news and sports programs are exempt from ratings. However, talk shows are not. The producers and distributors of daytime and evening talk shows must determine a rating for each daily "episode" of the shows, based on the content and themes discussed. For instance, the producers of a daytime talk show might give one episode about reunited relatives a TV-PG rating, an episode about incest and sexual abuse might get a TV-14 and an episode about strippers might get a TV-M.

Tabloid television shows like "Hard Copy," "Inside Edition," "Entertainment Tonight" and "Extra" are not considered "hard" news, and, therefore must also be rated.

Who made the ratings? Why are they similar to the movie ratings?
The television content ratings system was devised by a group of leading industry representatives, including members from the National Association of Broadcasters, the National Cable Television Association and the MPAA. The original age-based ratings are similar to the movie ratings system because broadcasters felt it would be helpful for parents to have a system similar to MPAA's movie ratings system -- something parents already understood.

Valenti, the MPAA's president and CEO, has been the leader in the creation of the TV ratings system and has been its most public spokesman and advocate. Back in 1968, Valenti was the driving force in the creation of the movie ratings system still in use today.

Why did the TV industry consent to create a ratings system?
Though parents and political leaders have long decried sex and violence on television, 1996 marked the first time those criticisms took the form of congressional legislation. The sweeping Telecommunications Act of 1996, signed into law by President Clinton in February of that year, included a provision asking the TV industry to adopt a ratings system of its own device. If, however, after one year from the enactment of the law, the FCC determined that the industry has either failed to create a system, or created a system that is not satisfactory, the FCC can begin crafting one of its own. In addition, several bills have been introduced into the 105th Congress proscribing forms of TV-related laws.

When the TV industry agreed this past summer to modify the ratings system and add the content letter, Congress agreed to declare a moratorium on any new legislation for three years. The FCC is still reviewing the system.

Why are NBC's ratings different from all the others?
When the original ratings system was created in late 1996, it was an industry-wide agreement. However, when the system was modified this summer and the content letters added, NBC refused to agree to the modification. Instead, the network said it would air its own parental advisory messages at the beginning of its programs and provide more information about programming content.

In statements and news accounts, NBC said it was breaking from the pack because it questioned the motives of critics of the ratings system. It felt the goal of those demanding modifications was not really to give parents more information. "The ultimate aim of the current system's critics is to dictate programming content," said a network statement.

What do ratings have to do with the V-chip?
As soon as the FCC gives final approval to the television content ratings system, TV manufacturers will have to begin including a special electronic device in all new TVs. The device, commonly referred to as the V-chip, will be able to detect the rating of a TV program through a special code that will be included in the broadcast of that program. Parents will then be able to set the V-chip to look for all shows with a certain rating -- say, a TV-14, V, S, D rating -- and then block all shows with that rating from playing on the TV set.

The device was nicknamed V-chip because it was originally intended as a way for parents to block violent programming; but since the device first broke into the national consciousness, the issue has grown to include other types of programming content.