In October 1997 KTCA began implementing the newly revised "TV Parental Guidelines" or "V-chip" ratings. We began implementation in conjunction with the PBS timetable for roll-out of the ratings, which corresponded to that of commercial broadcasters.

Viewers had been seeing a version of these ratings on network and cable programs for the past 6 months, but PBS did not participate in the original ratings experiment that commercial broadcasters initiated last spring, maintaining that the age-based ratings did not go far enough in providing content information to viewers. Parents' organizations lobbied to have the ratings system include more content-specific codes, and the television industry has agreed to accommodate this request with the modified system, which began October 1.

KTCA plans to gradually phase in our application of the ratings codes. We have begun by displaying ratings on KTCA for all prime time programs and for all children's programs. In the next few months we will expand our effort to rate all programs airing on KTCA and on KTCI.

The ratings icons will appear in the upper left corner of the screen for 15 seconds at the beginning of each program. As we phase in to these ratings will also be included in program listings, schedules and on other operational materials. The Programmng Department is reviewing all programs in order to apply the appropriate rating; to ensure the ratings are logged and are aired over each program.

PBS notes that sometime next year, a consortium of broadcasters will join with the consumer electronics industry to distribute the software that will allow the 'V-chip' to interface with the ratings encoded in the vertical blanking interval of TV signals. At that time, broadcasters will begin encoding their signals, in addition to visually displaying ratings.

The ratings you'll see are:

	TV-Y 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.
	TV-Y7 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 programs designed for the entire audience.
	TV-G General Audience Most parents would find this program 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.
	TV-PG Parental Guidance Suggested This program may contain some material that parents may find 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 sexual dialogue (D).
	TV-14 Parents Strongly Cautioned This program contains some material that many parents would find 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), intense sexual situations (S), strong coarse language (L) or intensely suggestive dialogue (D).
	TV-MA Mature Audience Only This program is specifically designed to 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 and indecent language (L).

More information is available from the TV Parental Guidelines or the Center for Media Education.