What does TV-MA mean? If you’ve ever turned on a TV show and seen those letters pop up in the upper left corner of the screen, you may have wondered what that rating means.
Today, you will find out what is the meaning of TV-MA and if it’s safe for kids or adults to watch. We’ll also provide a in-depth look at related topics that can help you understand and make informed decisions about this rating.
With that, let’s get started.
Table of Contents show
What Is the Meaning of the TV-MA Rating?
TV-MA is a rating that is given to television programs to indicate that it’s for “Mature Audiences”. This means that the show may contain graphic violence (V), strong sexual activity (S), and/or crude language (L). Due to the type of content in these shows, they are not suitable for children under the age of 17.
This rating is usually displayed in the upper left-hand corner of the screen during the first few seconds of a program. This is done to ensure that viewers are aware of the content they are about to see.
In addition to the TV-MA rating, you may also see other letters at the bottom of the screen. These letters are called content descriptors and they give more information about what type of content is in the show.
For example
- V – Graphic Violence
- S – Sexual Activity
- L – Crude Language
Let us take a more in-depth look at what each of these letters mean
Examples of TV MA Content
The following are some examples of content that you may see in a TV-MA program:
Graphic Violence (V): This could include scenes of people being killed, tortured, or maimed. It might also include war footage or car accidents.
Crude Language (L): This includes swearing and other language that might be considered offensive.
Strong Sexual Activity (S): This could include scenes of people having sex, nudity, or sexual violence.
Below is the trailer for Game of Thrones, a TV show that carries a TV-MA rating.
What Ages Can Watch TV-MA Shows?
As we mentioned earlier, children under the age of 17 should not be allowed to watch TV-MA shows. Due to the graphic and adult nature of the content, it’s not suitable for anyone under that age.
You will often find that popular TV-MA shows like Squid Games, Game of Thrones and The Walking Dead will often contain a lot of gratuitous violence, strong language, and nudity, all not suitable for young, developing minds.
Should Children Watch TV-MA Programs?
You might be wondering if it’s ever okay for children to watch TV-MA programs.
An Article by Common Sense Media “What’s The Impact of Media Violence on Kids?” found that:
“research shows that viewing (or playing) violent content could increase the chance that a child will act aggressively — especially if other risk factors are present, such as growing up in a violent home.
Heavy exposure to violent media can lead to desensitization too”
You can also take a look at this video, “Violence – The Effects of Violent Movies On Children and Teens” by clinical psychologist Dr. Sylvia Gearing.
There’s a lot of evidence to suggest that TV-MA programs can have a negative effect on children and teens. However, it’s ultimately up to you as the parent or guardian to decide if your child is ready for this type of content.
You can also have a discussion with your kids about what they’re watching and why it might not be appropriate for them.
Understanding the TV Parental Guideline Ratings
TV-MA falls under the TV Parental Guideline Ratings system which was originally established in 1997 as a way to help parents make informed decisions about what their children watch.
There are 7 different levels of TV ratings:
- TV-Y:Suitable for very young children. The content is designed to be appropriate for children ages 2-6.
- TV-Y7:directed toward kids 7 years and older (kids who are able to distinguish between make-believe and reality); may contain “mild fantasy violence or comedic violence” that may scare younger kids
- TV-Y7-FV:fantasy violence may be more intense in these programs than others in the TV-Y7 rating
- TV-G:suitable for a general audience; not directed specifically toward kids, but contains little to no violence, sexual dialogue or content, or strong language
- TV-PG:Parental guidance suggested; may contain an inappropriate theme for younger kids and contains one or more of the following: moderate violence (V), some sexual situations (S), occasional strong language (L), and some suggestive dialogue (D)
- TV-14:parents strongly cautioned — not recommended for kids younger than 14; contains one or more of the following: intense violence (V), intense sexual situations (S), strong language (L), and intensely suggestive dialogue. Learn more about the TV-14 Rating.
- TV-MA:designed for adults and may be unsuitable for kids under 17; contains one or more of the following: graphic violence (V), strong sexual activity (S), and/or crude language (L)
As you can see, TV-MA is the most restrictive rating and is not meant for children or even teens.
The ratings also contain content descriptors, some of which we highlighted earlier. These are:
- V:Violence
- S:Sexual Situations
- L:Language
- D:Dialogue
- FV:Fantasy Violence
You will often find these content descriptors listed alongside the TV rating. For example, a show might be rated TV-MA.
Is TV-MA worse than R: What’s the difference between the two?
Most people know what Rated R movies entail, but how does TV-MA compare? The differences between Rated R vs TV-MA can be difficult to understand for those who are not familiar with the ratings system. Here is a breakdown of the difference between the two.
TV-MA: This is a television rating, meaning it is applied to programs that air on TV. The rating indicates that the content is suitable for mature audiences only and may not be appropriate for children under 17 due to strong violence, strong sexual content, and/or crude language.
Rated R: This is a movie rating, meaning it is applied to movies that are released in theaters. Developed by the MPAA, this rating indicates that the content is suitable for mature audiences only and may not be appropriate for children under 17. Rated R movies may include scenes of strong violence, strong sexual content, and/or crude language.
In general, the content that would receive a TV-MA rating can often be more intense than the content that would get an R rating.
Rated R movies are typically edited before they are released in order to avoid an even higher NC-17 rating, which would limit the movie’s release to only a few theaters.
TV-MA content is not typically edited before it airs, meaning that what you see on TV is often more graphic than what you would see in a Rated R movie.
How to Stop Kids From Watching TV-MA Shows?
It can sometimes be difficult to keep kids from watching TV-MA shows, especially if they have access to a TV or computer in their bedroom.
Here are a few tips to prevent your children from watching content that is not appropriate for them:
- Use Parental Controls on the TV: Most TVs have the ability to block certain channels or ratings with the V-Chip. You can use this feature to block TV-MA rated shows from being viewed on your TV.
- Use Parental Controls From the Cable TV Provider – If you have cable TV, you can utilize the parental controls that are provided by the cable company. This will allow you to block specific TV show ratings from being viewed on your TV.
- Use Parental Controls on Streaming Services – If your kids watch a lot of Netflix or Hulu, you can use the parental controls that are provided by these services. This will allow you to block TV-MA shows from being viewed on your account.
- Talk to Your Kids About TV Ratings – It’s important to talk to your kids about the different TV ratings and what they mean. Explain to them why you don’t want them watching TV-MA shows. Let them know that the content is not appropriate for their age group.
- Keep the TV in a common area of the house – By keeping the TV in a common area of the house, you can better monitor what your kids are watching.
Most Popular TV MA Shows
The popular streaming services Netflix, Hulu, HBO Max etc all offer a variety of TV-MA programs. Many of these shows are highly rated and critically acclaimed.
Some popular TV-MA shows include:
- Breaking Bad
- The Sopranos
- Dexter
- Game of Thrones
- The Walking Dead
- Ted Lasso
- Ozark
- Narcos
- The Wire
- True Blood
These are just a few of the many popular TV-MA shows that are available to watch.
TV-MA on Disney Plus
Disney is generally known for family-friendly entertainment. However, Disney Plus has added some TV-MA content, but not without some controversy.
— Culture Crave 🍿 (@CultureCrave) March 11, 2022The Parents Television Council says adding 'The Punisher', 'Daredevil', and other mature Marvel content to Disney+ 'will forever tarnish' its family-friendly brand
"What comes next, adding live striptease performances in Fantasyland at Disney World?" pic.twitter.com/wUA4ggjZVl
The Parents Television and Media Council spoke out against the addition of TV-MA shows to Disney+, stating:
“While we applaud Disney+ for improving their parental controls, the mere presence of MA- and R-rated content violates the trust of families, and may well turn them off entirely.” The PTC went on to say that Disney Plus’ “TV-MA-rated fare will forever tarnish its family friendly crown.”
Despite the backlash, Disney+ has continued to add TV-MA shows to their platform.
Some of the more popular options include:
- Marvel’s Daredevil
- Marvel’s Jessica Jones
- Marvel’s Luke Cage
- Marvel’s Punisher
Parents can limit what their kids can watch on Disney+ by taking advantage of the streaming service’s parental controls.
Conclusion
TV-MA is the most severe rating assigned to television programs by the TV Parental Guidelines. These television programs may contain graphic violence, strong language, and explicit sexual content. They are not suitable for children under 17.
If you have children in your home, it’s important to be aware of the TV-MA rating and take steps to prevent your kids from watching these shows. You can do this by using parental controls on your TV, from your cable provider, and on streaming services. You can also talk to them about the different TV ratings and explain why these shows are not appropriate for them.
Now, I want to switch gears and hear what you have to say. What’s your thoughts on TV-MA programming? Would you allow your kids to watch it? Let me know in the comments!
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FAQs
What Does TV-MA Mean on Netflix, Disney+ (Is It Worse Than Rated R?)? ›
R is a movie rating. This means it's not suitable for audiences under 13. For the under-17 audience, it is suggested that they watch it under the supervision of an adult as it contains graphic content such as nudity and violence. TV-MA is worse than TV-R because it contains both R and NC-17-rated material.
Is TV-MA worse than R on Disney plus? ›Now when you log into Disney+ and activate the parental control settings, you can flip to TV-MA, the highest setting. (TV-MA is the R-rating for TV and its highest maturity rating.
Is Rated M or R worse? ›Rated G: Suggested for general audiences. Rated M: Suggested for mature audiences - Parental discretion advised. Rated R: Restricted – Persons under 16 not admitted, unless accompanied by parent or adult guardian.
Is TV-MA scarier than rated R? ›Although the TV-MA rating means a program is technically made for 17-year-olds (18 in some cases), programs with this rating can sometimes be more graphic and severe than what R-rated movies would typically allow, thanks to the existence of premium cable networks and certain online streaming services.
What is TV-MA on Netflix? ›TV-MA. For Mature Audiences. NC-17. Inappropriate for ages 17 and under.
Does Disney Plus have 18+ content? ›FAQs. How many different age restriction options are there in Disney Plus? There are seven different age rating restrictions to choose from: 0+, 6+, 9+, 12+, 14+,16+ and 18+. You can switch between them anytime provided you have the password for the Disney account, and not every profile has to be restricted.
What was Disney's first R-rated movie? ›One of the earliest films from this outfit was a historical movie for Disney, it's very first R-rated release: Down and Out in Beverly Hills.
Is TV-MA worse than TV-14? ›TV-PG - parental guidance is recommended; these programs may be unsuitable for younger children. TV-14 - these shows may be unsuitable for children under 14. TV-MA - these programs are intended to be viewed by mature, adult audiences and may be unsuitable for children under 17.
What is t rated vs m rated? ›Titles rated T – Teen have content that may be suitable for persons ages 13 and older. Titles in this category may contain violent content, mild or strong language and/or suggestive themes. Titles rated M – Mature have content that may be suitable for persons ages 17 and older.
Why is the 100 rated MA? ›Parents need to know that The 100 has a lot of graphic violence and death, often at the hands of a group of teens who hash out power through beatings, torture, and weapon use.
Is TV MA appropriate for 12 year olds? ›
TV-MA: designed for adults and may be unsuitable for kids under 17; contains one or more of the following: graphic violence (V), strong sexual activity (S), and/or crude language (L)
What age is TV MA for? ›TV-MA. This program is specifically designed to be viewed by adults and therefore may be unsuitable for children under 17. Contains content that may be unsuitable for children.
Can a 12 year old watch M rated movies? ›Films and computer games classified M (Mature) contain content of a moderate impact. M-rated films and computer games are not recommended for children under the age of 15. They include portrayals of elements such as violence and themes that require a mature outlook.
What is R21 on Netflix? ›This PIN will be needed for your child to view content that is of a specific rating: G, PG, PG13, or NC16/M18. All content that is R21 will need a PIN to be accessed. For example, if your child is 13, you can set the restriction at PG13 so that they will need to enter the PIN to access anything rated PG13 and up.
What is higher than rated R? ›The new ratings system began with four categories: G (general audiences), M (mature audiences, changed in 1969 to PG, parental guidance suggested), R (restricted, no children under 17 allowed without parents or adult guardians), and X (no one under 17 admitted).
Why is Outer Banks rated ma? ›Outer Banks most likely earned its TV-MA rating for violence and drug use, as well as profanity and some sexual content. The teens in the series are on the run from people trying to kill them — after all.
What R21 shows are on Disney+? ›A new collection of R21-content on Star has been recently added, which include Black Swan, Borat: Cultural Learnings Of America For Make Benefit Glorious Nation…, Love, Simon, Homeland, Modern Family, Snowfall, The Favorite and Mayans M.C.
How do I get ma15 on Disney Plus? ›Go to EDIT PROFILES… Select which profile you want to give full TV-MA access… And then you can choose the profile's parental rating. Note that TV-G, TV-PG, TV-14, and TV-MA apply to all of the TV series and G, PG, PG-13, and R apply to the movies.
What Disney star turned rated R? ›Former Disney actress turned adult film star Maitland Ward wonders where the inclusivity and diversity were back in her time in the House of Mouse.
Has Disney ever made anything rated R? ›9. Down and Out in Beverly Hills (1986) Down and Out in Beverly Hills made history as Disney's first R-rated film! Of course this was produced under the Touchstone umbrella (to this day Disney has not released an R-rated movie from its own Studio).
Why Disney doesn t do R-rated? ›
Disney has long been opposed to releasing R-rated films, or doing anything that could tarnish its family-friendly image, so approving the edgier superhero films, which have found success with fans and at the box office, is a major change of pace.
Will Disney ever go rated R? ›Disney+ just got a little more adult. The streaming service added its first R-rated films in the US on Friday with “Deadpool,” “Deadpool 2” and “Logan.” The movies star Marvel superheroes, but as their ratings suggest, they're decidedly not kid-friendly.
Can TV 14 say the F word? ›Trivia. There are several companies or TV stations not subject to the FCC's rules that have broken the general implied rule that "crude indecent" language (ex. multiple F-bombs) is not allowed at a TV-14 rating.
Is TV-MA OK for 17 year olds? ›TV-MA: designed for adults and may be unsuitable for kids under 17; contains one or more of the following: graphic violence (V), strong sexual activity (S), and/or crude language (L)
What is rated Y? ›A TV-Y rating means that programming is appropriate for children of all ages. TV-Y7 indicates that programming is designed for chil- dren ages 7 and older.
What is T vs H rated? ›H-Rated Tires: This is a perfect, average tire for most sedans and commuter vehicles. It might not seem to fit in our chart, but the tire speed rating “H” is rated for up to 130 mph. T-Rated Tires: This tire is often recommended for family sedans and vans. It's rated for up to 118 mph.
Is rated T for kids? ›Titles rated T (Teen) have content that may be suitable for ages 13 and older. Titles in this category may contain violence, suggestive themes, crude humor, minimal blood, simulated gambling, and/or infrequent use of strong language.
What is NC-17 movies? ›NC-17 (No One 17 and Under Admitted) is the highest rating in the Motion Picture Association (MPA) film rating system used for films distributed in the United States. It is assigned to films the MPA believes most parents would consider "patently adult" and not suitable for their children under 18.
Why is South Park rated MA? ›Parents need to know that South Park is a satirical animated series created by Trey Parker and Matt Stone that isn't meant for young kids. It's jam packed with mature themes, swearing (including "f--k," "s--t," and more), over-the-top cartoon violence, potty humor, and innuendo.
Why is mid 90s rated ma? ›A sexual encounter between young teens, including the young-looking 13-year-old main character, is shown right up until the point that nudity would occur and is described in some detail later. Teen characters drink a lot, drive drunk, and smoke both tobacco and pot.
Why is 1899 rated ma? ›
Sexual violence, people having sex while partially clothed, nudity.
What content does Disney plus have that is TV MA? ›The shows include Daredevil, The Defenders, The Punisher, Jessica Jones, Luke Cage, and Iron Fist.
Has Disney ever made an R rated movie? ›Films containing an R (restricted under 17) rating by the MPA. Disney never releases R-rated films under the "Disney" brand; all of these films are published by subsidiaries and thus only indirectly Disney-related, and will generally not receive in-depth coverage here beyond pages on the films themselves.
Is TV MA appropriate? ›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 indecent language (L).
What R21 shows are on Disney plus? ›A new collection of R21-content on Star has been recently added, which include Black Swan, Borat: Cultural Learnings Of America For Make Benefit Glorious Nation…, Love, Simon, Homeland, Modern Family, Snowfall, The Favorite and Mayans M.C.
Does Disney plus allow TV-MA? ›Go to EDIT PROFILES… Select which profile you want to give full TV-MA access… And then you can choose the profile's parental rating. Note that TV-G, TV-PG, TV-14, and TV-MA apply to all of the TV series and G, PG, PG-13, and R apply to the movies.
What rated R movies are on Disney+? ›Disney+ just got a little more adult. The streaming service added its first R-rated films in the US on Friday with “Deadpool,” “Deadpool 2” and “Logan.” The movies star Marvel superheroes, but as their ratings suggest, they're decidedly not kid-friendly.
How do I change my Disney plus rating to TV-MA? ›- Navigate to your profiles and select Edit profiles.
- Select the profile you'd like to edit.
- Under Parental Controls, select Content rating.
- Enter your password.
- Choose the content rating you'd like to set and Save.
A noun, adjective, verb, filler verb — the F-bomb has evolved and been creatively utilized by screenwriters, actors, and directors like the iconic Quentin Tarantino, for decades. Generally reserved for R-rated projects, PG-13 movies are allowed a single use of the four-letter word.
What is the darkest Disney movie? ›Arguably the darkest film in the entire Disney animated canon is the 1996 film The Hunchback of Notre Dame. The movie opens with Frollo killing Quasimodo's mother and attempting to kill an infant Quasimodo before he's forced to stop. He attempts to atone for the sin of murdering Quasimodo's mother by taking the boy in.
What Disney star turned R-rated? ›
Former Disney actress turned adult film star Maitland Ward wonders where the inclusivity and diversity were back in her time in the House of Mouse.
Is TV-MA safe for kids? ›TV-MA - these programs are intended to be viewed by mature, adult audiences and may be unsuitable for children under 17.
Can a 12 year old watch a ma? ›Mature Accompanied (MA 15+)
A person may be asked to show proof of their age before purchasing or viewing an MA 15+ film or computer game. Children under the age of 15 may not legally watch, buy or hire MA 15+ rated material unless they are in the company of a parent or adult guardian.
Ever since Disney announced its new streaming service, Disney+, in November last year, they've been very clear on the messaging that it will be a family focused product.
How do I watch 18 on Disney plus? ›- Navigate to your profiles and select Edit profiles.
- Select the profile you'd like to edit.
- Under Parental Controls, select Content rating.
- Enter your password.
- Choose the content rating you'd like to set and Save.
- “Daredevil”
- “Jessica Jones”
- “Luke Cage”
- “Iron Fist”
- “The Defenders”
- “The Punisher”
- “Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.”