Netflix has established itself as one of the most popular streaming services in the world because of its enormous library of movies and television series. You may have come across the label TVMA when perusing the content accessible on Netflix and were curious about its meaning.
We’ll delve further into the topic of TV ratings in this post, with a particular emphasis on the TVMA classification that is utilized by Netflix and numerous other services. We’ll break down its significance and clarify how it influences the content you see.
What does TVMA mean on Netflix?
TVMA stands for “TV – Mature Audience” on Netflix. This classification may be applied to shows that feature strong violence, explicit language, frightening themes, graphic nudity or personal situations, and other adult content.
The TVMA Netflix label, which is primarily intended for audiences 17 years of age and up, signifies that the program is intended for an adult audience and may not be appropriate for younger ones. It is equivalent to the Motion Picture Association of America’s (MPAA) R and NC-17 ratings. This rating is shared by episodes of “Dark,” “Money Heist,” “Black Mirror,” “The Sopranos,” “Daredevil,” and “Breaking Bad.”
Although a movie rating system was created earlier in 1968, a TV show rating system wasn’t created until 28 years later. After the Telecommunications Act of 1996 was approved, major players in the entertainment sector promised to put in place a system that was comparable.
With the exception of news, sports, and commercials, this effort—which was led by the NCTA, MPAA, and NAB—was meant to be used on broadcast and cable TV shows.
NCTA: The Internet & Television Association, formerly known as the National Cable & Telecommunications Association, is the trade association for the pay television and broadband sectors in the United States.
The National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) is a trade group that represents American radio and television broadcasters’ interests and free-market solutions.
December of that year saw the announcement of the TV Parental Guidelines, and on January 1st, 1997, the system went live. August 1, 1997, saw the introduction of an improved version with six categories, which was modeled after the movie rating system. In addition to the ratings, five content descriptors were added to the scheme.
Each descriptor and rating had its own symbol, and it was required for the rating symbol to be shown for 15 seconds at the beginning of every episode of a program with a rating. Ultimately, the proposed rating system was accepted by the FCC on March 12, 1998.
US TV Content Classifications
Ratings for television shows are established using rigid criteria that take into account a number of variables. These content descriptors are frequently utilized for ratings in the US:
Do movies and TV shows have their maturity ratings determined by the same organization?
In America, two different organizations are in charge of determining the maturity ratings for movies and television shows, and local authorities oversee the rules and regulations in other parts of the world. They are listed in the following order:
Television ratings
The TV Parental Guidelines used to rate TV broadcasts are overseen in the US by the TV Parental Guidelines Monitoring Board. TV series are given the ratings listed below:
TV-Y: Suitable for all ages, especially those between the ages of two and six; doesn’t contain any material that a kid could find offensive.
TV-Y7: Appropriate for kids seven years old and up; some mild fantasy or humorous violence may frighten younger viewers.
TV-G: Content that most parents feel appropriate for all ages is included, but it’s not specifically meant for children. Suitable for a general audience.
TV-PG: Content that parents may find inappropriate for younger children may include certain sexual situations, mild violence, occasional coarse language, and suggestive conversation, according to suggested parental counsel.
TV-14: Parents are strongly advised not to watch this show as it contains content that many would consider inappropriate for children under the age of 14, such as strong language, sexual situations, violent scenes, and extremely suggestive conversation.
TV-MA: Designed for an adult audience only; contains violent violence, explicit sexual activity, and/or crude, indecent language; may not be appropriate for children under the age of 17.
Movie reviews
The National Association of Theatre Owners (NATO) and the MPAA collaborated to create the voluntary MPAA rating system. Its purpose is to assess a movie’s suitability for different age groups and audience segments according to its content.
Through the Classification & Ratings Administration (CARA), the MPAA rates motion pictures. They use classifications like G, PG, PG-13, R, and NC-17 depending on the content of the film.
This rating system is extensively used by American parents to determine whether a movie is appropriate for their small children. It provides information on the plot of a film, letting viewers know what to expect from it.
Filmmakers and distributors can also use the MPAA rating system to better determine the demographics of their potential audience.
Examples of TV-MA-rated Netflix shows
The following are a few instances of TVMA series available on Netflix:
Breaking Bad: This series, which received a TVMA rating for its graphic depiction of drug selling and violence, follows the journey of a high school chemistry teacher who becomes a well-known drug lord who manufactures methamphetamine.
Black Mirror: The anthology series Black Mirror depicts distorted, technologically sophisticated worlds in which humankind’s greatest achievements collide with its darkest impulses. It has been rated TVMA due to its dark and frequently frightening themes.
Mind Hunter: This series, which takes place in the late 1970s and tells the tale of FBI agents advancing criminal science, explores the minds of murderers. It received a TVMA classification for its vivid portrayal of horrific crimes and psychological suffering.
Ozark: The story of a financial advisor who moves his family from Chicago to the Missouri Ozarks in order to satisfy a drug lord by laundering $500 million in five years is told in this television series. This show explores serious issues like crime and moral ambiguity and features harsh language, sexual content, graphic violence, and drug use.
Where can I get information about Netflix ratings?
A title’s maturity rating can be found in the following ways:
A title’s rating will momentarily appear in the upper corner of your screen as you begin to watch it.
The details page of a film or television program is another place to discover the rating information. The location of this data may vary depending on the device you are using.
In addition to the classification, details regarding the elements of the film (such as language, sexual material, drug use, and nudity) that went into determining the rating are also available.
How can I stay away from Netflix content labeled TV-MA?
Parental controls are a feature that Netflix TV provides to assist you in blocking access to TV-MA-rated content. A profile that has a maturity level specified will only display content that is rated at or below that level. Additionally, you can restrict specific TV series or movies on individual profiles using Netflix.
- Set a profile’s maturity levels.
- Click on your profile image in the upper right corner of Netflix to view your account page via the drop-down menu.
- Select the profile you wish to edit and click on the drop-down arrow from the “Profile & Parental Controls” settings.
- Click “Change” in front of the “Viewing Restrictions” option.
- You’ll be asked to type in your Netflix password.
- Select the maturity rating level for the TV shows and movies you want to permit on that profile. You can also exclude some specific shows or movies from this profile by typing their name in the given box. Click on “Save.
TV series, films, and video games that go beyond the selected degree of maturity will not be included in the profile.
Final Thoughts
It is imperative that Netflix users comprehend the platform’s rating structure, specifically the TV-MA rating. With episodes that may contain graphic violence, foul language, or adult themes, this rating guarantees that the material is appropriate for mature audiences.
Parental controls are among the options Netflix offers to limit the kinds of content that can be accessed on various profiles. Families with young children will especially benefit from this function, which makes sure the content they view is age-appropriate. In short, knowing the TV-MA rating and other Netflix rating systems can significantly enhance your streaming experience and ensure that all content aligns with your viewing preferences.
Is TV-MA the same as 18+?
TV-MA isn’t exactly equivalent to 18+. TV-MA is a rating specific to the television industry in the United States, whereas 18+ generally applies to age limitations in other areas, like video games or films. The age benchmarks and standards can differ among various rating systems.
What are some examples of TV-MA content?
TV-MA content examples include shows like Black Mirror, The Bear, The Witcher, Silo, The Idol, From, and Suits.
Can 13-year-olds watch TV-MA?
TV-MA is not suitable for children under 17 years old. Even if someone is slightly older, viewing such shows should be guided by parental discretion to ensure the content is appropriate for their maturity level.
How do I know if a show is TV-MA?
The rating is typically displayed at the start of a show and included in your TV program guide. Often, you’ll find the rating just after the program’s title, but in some instances, it could be situated right after the description of the program.
