Ratings FAQ
What Are Content Ratings?
Content ratings are a heuristic used by programmers, broadcasters, parents, and regulators to determine whether content is considered generally appropriate for subsets of viewers. They are an important lever that viewers use when determining "what to watch." Ratings vary across regions and are required by some territories and platforms.
In dotstudioPRO, users can adjust ratings for videos and channels. Playlists and categories do not support ratings metadata. Information about supported ratings systems can be found below.
What Are Rating Reasons?
Some ratings systems require additional context to be provided that explains why a given rating was assigned to a title. These are represented by a set of codes that denote whether a title contains swearing, violence, nudity, etc.
The ratings reasons used by dotstudioPRO correspond to the ratings codes used by the US TV Parental Guidelines. Users can adjust ratings for videos and channels. Playlists and categories do not support ratings metadata. Information about supported ratings systems can be found below.
Are Ratings Required?
Many VOD and linear platforms require ratings, ratings reasons, or both in order to program content in a way that is both accessible to their users. In some countries and regions ratings are a federal requirement for all broadcasters.
dotstudioPRO only requires ratings for its Aggregation Partners. All titles submitted to dotstudioPRO for aggregation must have a rating and rating reasons assigned to them. Enterprise and direct to platform clients are exempt from this requirement, however ratings may still be required by platforms or local regulations.
Why Are Ratings Required For Aggregation Partners?
Ratings are required by our platform partners in order to properly place your content. Some platforms only accept “family friendly” content, while others market themselves as a place for mature audiences. Content ratings are required to make sure the right content is provided to the right platforms. A title with an inaccurate rating means that content will reach fewer - or worse, the wrong - viewers.
Why Are Ratings Required For Aggregation Partners?
Not all rating systems are created equal. Some platforms are able to accept all ratings, but need to filter certain content. Noting why a title has been given a certain rating, allows more titles to be published with our platform partners.
For Aggregation Partners, ratings and rating reasons are required fields for each video and channel. Failure to provide accurate ratings can result in content rejection. For enterprise/platform direct customers, this article is intended to educate for best practices.
How Are Ratings Managed in dotstudioPRO?
Ratings and rating reasons can be edited within the videos/channel metadata tab in dotstudioPRO. Playlists and categories do not support ratings values. Each video/channel can have a single rating value assigned, but can support multiple ratings reasons.
These values can also be managed in dotstudioPRO using bulk edit actions.
Supported Ratings Systems
A variety of ratings systems exist for different countries, states, and regions. The dotstudioPRO dashboard supports ratings for both the MPAA and US TV Parental Guidelines. These two systems are summarized below with links to their official policies. Beside each rating is listed the potential Rating Reasons which could be identified. Accurate ratings and rating reasons are required for all content delivered to dotstudioPRO. MPAA ratings may only be used if your content was officially rated by the MPAA.
MPAA RATINGS
Official Website: https://www.filmratings.com/RatingsGuide
The MPAA or Motion Picture Association has issued ratings for film exhibition and distribution in the United States since 1968. MPAA ratings (also known as CARA ratings) are often a requirement for theatrical distribution in the USA, but are well recognized in most English territories. More information about this rating system can be found at the MPAA film ratings website. Only the MPAA can provide an official rating. If your content was not officially rated by the MPAA, please use the US TV Parental Guidelines ratings.
Rating |
Description |
Qualifiers |
Potential Rating Reasons |
G |
General Audiences. Suitable for all ages. |
The content is largely approachable, and contains no strong language or sexual dialogue/situations. |
None |
PG |
Parental Guidance Suggested. Some of the content in the film may not be suitable for children, especially younger ones. PG titles must NOT depict drug use. |
Mature themes, profanity, depictions of violence, brief partial nudity. |
|
PG-13 |
Parental Guidance Strongly Cautioned. This is the minimum rating for content which depicts drug use. Nudity is allowed, but mustn’t be sexual. |
Depictions of drug use, non-sexually oriented nudity, violence, the single use of a sexually-derived expletive in a non-sexual context. |
|
R |
Restricted. An accompanying adult guardian is required for children under 17 to access this title. Restricted titles contain adult content. |
Adult themes, adult activities, hard language, intense violence, nudity that is sexually-oriented, and depictions of drug addiction. |
|
NC-17 |
Adults Only. The content is unsuitable for people under the age of 17. |
Explicit sexual activity, extreme violence, abberrational behaviour. This rating was formerly called "X". |
Not accepted by DSP Aggregation. |
TV PARENTAL GUIDELINES
Official Website: http://www.tvguidelines.org
The TV Parental Guidelines were created by the US Congress and FCC in 1996 to give parents more control and information about the content in broadcast television. The ratings are similar to those used by the MPAA, however content can be rated by “broadcast and cable television networks, or program producers.”
Image Source: http://www.tvguidelines.org/ratings.html
Rating |
Description |
Qualifiers |
Potential Rating Reasons |
TV-Y |
All children. Generally directed towards children ages 2-6. |
The content has been explicitly made for young children. |
None. |
TV-Y7 |
Directed to older children. Generally directed to children ages 7-12 |
The content has been explicitly made for children. The content may scare young children. |
|
TV-G |
General Audience. Suitable for all ages |
The content is largely approachable, and contains no strong language or sexual dialogue/situations. |
|
TV-PG |
Parental Guidance Suggested. May not be suitable for younger children. |
Some suggestive dialogue, limited or infrequent coarse language, limited and moderate violence, some sexual situations. |
|
TV-14 |
Parents Strongly Cautioned. The title is likely unsuitable for children under 14. |
Adult themes, intensely suggestive language, coarse language, intense sexual situations, nudity, intense violence. |
|
TV-MA |
Mature Audiences Only. The content is meant to be viewed by adults, and is unsuitable for people under 17. |
Crude or indecent language, explicit sexual activity, graphic violence. |
|
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