Our reality is significantly augmented and influenced by visual media. I am ignoring print media for now, and focusing on TV, Films, Gaming which are gradually integrated under streaming.
I got curious as to the qualifiers used while watching a matured content in streaming. Wanted to make full list of all these qualifiers. Did get the reference for those prescribed by Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB).
Need to validate further whether the streaming agencies extended these qualifiers further. If found more info, will extend this blog later with additional information. So, plan to revisit later if you are curious enough.
- Nataraja Upadhya
June 30, 2022
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Amazon Prime Genre for Featured Categories
· Comedy
· Drama
· Fantasy
· Gaming
· Health
· Horror
· LGBT
· Musicals
· Romance
· Sports
· Westerns
Netflix broad Program Categories further divided into approx. 3,647 categories: For more info: https://www.whats-on-netflix.com/library/categories/
Use these terms to look for programs of your particular interest.
l Action & Adventure
l Action Comedies
l Action Sci Fi & Fantasy
l Action Thrillers
l Adult Animation
l Adventures
l African
l African American
l Ages 8-10
l Alien
l American Folk & Bluegrass
l Animal Tales
l Animation
l Anime
l Art House movies
l Australian
l B-Horror
l Baseball
l Basketball
l BBC
l Belgian
l BellyDancing
l Biographical
l Blaxploitation
l BMX & Extreme Biking
l Boxing
l Bravo
l Brazillian
l British
l Camp
l Campy
l Car Culture Shows
l Cardio & Aerobics Workouts
l Career & Finance
l Cerebral
l Children & Family
l Chinese
l Classic
l Classical Instrumental Music
l Comedies
l Comic Book & Super Hero Movies
l Coming-of-age
l Computer Animation
l Computers & Electronics
l Controversial
l Cooking Instruction
l Country & Western/Folk
l Courtroom
l Creature Features
l Crime
l Critically-Acclaimed
l Cult
l Czeck
l Dance Workouts
l Dark
l Deep Sea
l Detective
l Disco
l Discovery Channel
l Disney
l Documentaries
l Dramas
l Dutch
l Eastern European
l Education & Guidance
l Education for Kids
l Emotional
l Epics
l Exciting
l Experimental
l Extreme Sports
l Faith & Spirituality
l Family Features
l Fantasy
l Feel-Good
l Filipino
l Film Noir
l Food & Travel
l Food & Wine
l Football Movies
l Foreign
l Frankenstein Movies
l French
l Gangster Movies
l Gay & Lesbian
l German
l Golf
l Goofy
l Gory
l Goth & Industrial
l Greek
l Gritty
l Healthy Living Shows
l Heartfelt
l Historical
l Hobbies & Games
l Home Entertaining
l Home Improvement
l Homework Help
l Horror
l Ice Hocky
l Imaginative
l Independent
l Indian
l Indie
l Inspirational Music
l Inspiring
l Iranian
l Irish
l Irreverent
l Israeli
l Italian
l Japanese
l Jazz & Easy Listening
l Jewish
l Karaoke
l Kids
l Korean
l Late night comedies
l Latin & Ballroom Dance
l Latin American
l Latin Music
l Latino
l Low-Impact Workouts
l Magic & Illusion
l Martial Arts
l Mexican
l Middle Eastern
l Military
l Mind & Body
l Mind-bending
l Miniseries
l Mockumentaries
l Monster Movies
l Motor sports
l Movies based on books
l Movies based on real life
l Movies directed by ..
l Movies for ages ..
l Movies from the (time period)
l Movies on blue-ray
l Movies on IMAX
l Movies starring …
l MTV TV Shows
l Music
l Musicals
l Mysteries
l New Zealand
l Opera & Operetta
l Outdoor & Mountain sports
l Period Pieces
l Polish
l Political
l Pop
l Psychological
l Quirky
l Raunchy
l Real Martial Arts
l Realty TV
l Reggae
l Religious
l Rock & Pop Concerts
l Rock & Roll
l Rockumentaries
l Romantic
l Russian
l Sacred
l Satanic
l Satires
l Saturday Night Live
l Scandinavian
l Scary
l Sci-Fi
l Science
l Science & Nature
l Screwball
l Sentimental
l Showbiz
l Silent Movies
l Sitcoms
l Skateboarding
l Skiiing
l Slapstick
l Slasher & Serial Killer
l Soccer
l Social & Cultural
l Social Issue
l Southeast Asian
l Spanish
l Spiritual
l Sports
l Spy
l Stage Musicals
l Stand-Up Comedy
l Steamy
l Stunts & General Mayhem
l Supernatural
l Suspenseful
l Swashbucklers
l Swing & Big Band
l Tai Chi & Quigong
l Tearjerkers
l Teen
l Thai
l Theatrical Performances
l Thrillers
l Time Travel Movies
l TLC
l Traditional Latin Music
l Travel & Adventure
l TV
l Understated
l Urban & Dance Concerts
l Vampire
l Violent
l Visually-Striking
l War
l Werewolf
l Westerns
l Witty
l World
l Zombies
Netflix qualifiers for its programs. Please note that some terms here are not listed in the content types above. Eg: Deadpan
Absurd
Adrenaline Rush
Cerebral
Charming
Chilling
Controversial
Dark
Deadpan
Emotional
Exciting
Feel-Good
Goofy
Gritty
Heartfelt
Inspiring
Intimate
Investigative
Mind-bending
Offbeat
Ominous
Provocative
Quirky
Raunchy
Romantic
Scary
Sentimental
Steamy
Suspenseful
Swoonworthy
Understated
Violent
Witty
Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB)
For more info:https://www.esrb.org/
1. Rating Categories
a) Everyone (E)
b) Everyone 10+ (E10+)
c) Teen (T)
d) Mature 17+ (M)
e) Adults Only 18+ (A)
f) Rating Pending (RP)
g) Rating Pending lilely Mature 17+ (RP)
2. Content Descriptors
a) All Content
i. Alcohol Reference: Reference to and/or images of alcoholic beverages
ii. Animated Blood: Discolored and/or unrealistic depictions of blood
iii. Blood: Depictions of blood
iv. Blood & Gore: Depictions of blood or the mutilation of body parts
v. Cartoon Violence: Violent actions involving cartoon-like situations and characters. May include violence where a character is unharmed after the action has been inflicted
vi. Comic Mischief: Depictions or dialogue involving slapstick or suggestive humor
vii. Crude Humor: Depictions or dialogue involving vulgar antics, including "bathroom" humor
viii. Drug Reference: Reference to and/or images of illegal drugs
ix. Fantasy Violence: Violent actions of a fantasy nature, involving human or non-human characters in situations easily distinguishable from real life
x. Intense Violence: Graphic and realistic-looking depictions of physical conflict. May involve extreme and/or realistic blood, gore, weapons and depictions of human injury and death
xi. Language: Mild to moderate use of profanity
xii. Lyrics: Mild references to profanity, sexuality, violence, alcohol or drug use in music
xiii. Mature Humor: Depictions or dialogue involving "adult" humor, including sexual references
xiv. Nudity: Graphic or prolonged depictions of nudity
xv. Partial Nudity: Brief and/or mild depictions of nudity
xvi. Real Gambling: Player can gamble, including betting or wagering real cash or currency
xvii. Sexual Content: Non-explicit depictions of sexual behavior, possibly including partial nudity
xviii. Sexual Themes: References to sex or sexuality
xix. Sexual Violence: Depictions of rape or other violent sexual acts
xx. Simulated Gambling: Player can gamble without betting or wagering real cash or currency
xxi. Strong Language: Explicit and/or frequent use of profanity
xxii. Strong Lyrics: Explicit and/or frequent references to profanity, sex, violence, alcohol or drug use in music
xxiii. Strong Sexual Content: Explicit and/or frequent depictions of sexual behavior, possibly including nudity
xxiv. Suggestive Themes: Mild provocative references or materials
xxv. Tobacco Reference: Reference to and/or images of tobacco products
xxvi. Use of Alcohol: The consumption of alcoholic beverages
xxvii. Use of Drugs: The consumption or use of illegal drugs
xxviii. Use of Tobacco: The consumption of tobacco products
xxix. Violence: Scenes involving aggressive conflict. May contain bloodless dismemberment
xxx. Violent References: References to violent acts
b) Substances
i. Alcohol Reference
ii. Drug Reference
iii. Tobacco Reference
iv. Use of Alcohol
v. Use of Drugs
vi. Use of Tobacco
c) Blood/Gore
i. Animated Blood
ii. Blood
iii. Blood and Gore
d) Violence
i. Cartoon Violence
ii. Fantasy Violence
iii. Intense Violence
iv. Violence
v. Violent References
e) Humor
i. Comic Mischief
ii. Crude Humor
iii. Mature Humor
f) Language
i. Language
ii. Lyrics
iii. Strong Language
iv. Strong Lyrics
g) Nudity
i. Nudity
ii. Partial Nudity
h) Gambling
i. Real Gambling
ii. Simulated Gambling
i) Sexuality
i. Sexual Content
ii. Sexual Themes
iii. Sexual Violence
iv. Strong Sexual Content
v. Suggestive Themes
3. Interactive Elements
a) In-Game Purchases: Contains in-game offers to purchase digital goods or premiums with real world currency, including but not limited to bonus levels, skins, music, virtual coins and other forms of in-game currency, subscriptions, season passes and upgrades (e.g., to disable ads).
b) In-Game Purchases (Includes random items): Contains in-game offers to purchase digital goods or premiums with real world currency (or with virtual coins or other forms of in-game currency that can be purchased with real world currency) for which the player doesn’t know prior to purchase the specific digital goods or premiums they will be receiving (e.g., loot boxes, item packs, mystery awards).
c) Users Interact: Indicates possible exposure to unfiltered/uncensored user-generated content, including user-to-user communications and media sharing via social media and networks
d) Shares location: Includes the ability to display the user’s location to other users of the app
e) Unrestricted Internet: Provides unrestricted access to the internet (e.g., browser, search engine)
Maturity ratings for TV shows and movies on Netflix
In India, Netflix uses the following TV and movie ratings:
Kids
U | Suitable for children and persons of all ages |
U/A 7+ | Suitable for children 7 and above and under parental guidance for persons under age of 7 |
Teens
U/A 13+ | Suitable for persons aged 13 and above and under parental guidance for people under age of 13 |
Adults
U/A 16+ | Suitable for persons aged 16 and above and under parental guidance for people under age of 16 |
A | Content restricted to adults |
TV Parental Guidelines Ratings
The direct description of each rating from the TV Parental Guidelines Monitoring Board is listed above the extended ratings description in italics.
For more info: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/TV_Parental_Guidelines
TV-Y
This program is designed to be appropriate for all children.
Programs rated TV-Y are designed to be appropriate for children of all ages. The thematic elements portrayed in programs with this rating are specifically designed for a very young audience.
TV-Y7
This program is designed for children age 7 and above.
Programs rated TV-Y7 are designed for children age 7 and older. The FCC states that it "may be more appropriate for children who have acquired the developmental skills needed to distinguish between make-believe and reality." The thematic elements portrayed in programs with this rating contain mild fantasy and comedic violence.
Programs where fantasy violence may be more intense or more combative.
Programs given the "FV" content descriptor exhibit more 'fantasy violence' and are generally more intense or combative than other programs rated TV-Y7.
TV-G
Most parents will find this program suitable for all ages
Programs rated TV-G are generally suited for all audiences, though they may not necessarily contain content of interest to children. The FCC states that "this rating does not signify a program designed specifically for children, [and] most parents may let younger children watch this program unattended."[12] The thematic elements portrayed in programs with this rating contain little or no violence, mild language, and little or no sexual dialogue or situations.
TV-PG
This program contains material that parents may find unsuitable for younger children
Programs rated TV-PG may contain some material that parents or guardians may find inappropriate for younger children. Programs assigned a TV-PG rating may include infrequent coarse language, some sexual content, some suggestive dialogue, or moderate violence.
TV-14
This program contains material that most parents would find unsuitable for children under 14 years of age.[11]
Programs rated TV-14 contain material that parents or adult guardians may find unsuitable for children under the age of 14. The FCC warns that "Parents are cautioned to exercise some care in monitoring this program and are cautioned against letting children under the age of 14 watch unattended." Programs with this rating contain intensely suggestive dialogue, strong coarse language, intense sexual situations or intense violence
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. This rating was originally TV-M prior to the announced revisions to the rating system in August 1997 but was changed due to a trademark dispute and in order to remove confusion with the Entertainment Software Rating Board's (ESRB) "M for Mature" rating for video games.This rating is rarely used by broadcast networks or local television stations due to FCC restrictions on program content, although it is commonly applied to television programs featured on certain cable channels (basic and premium networks) and streaming networks for both mainstream and softcore programs. Programs with this rating may include crude indecent language, explicit sexual activity and graphic violence.
Content descriptors
An example of a rating, which is TV-14 with all content descriptors (D, L, S, and V).
Some thematic elements, according to the FCC, "may call for parental guidance and/or the program may contain one or more of the following" sub-ratings, designated with an alphabetic letter:
· D – Sexual or suggestive dialogue (not used with the TV-MA rating)
· L – Coarse or crude language
· S – Sexual situations
· V – Violence
· FV – Fantasy violence (exclusive to the TV-Y7 rating)
Motion Picture content Rating System:
Varies by country. Rating systems for India, UK and USA are given below. For more info: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Motion_picture_content_rating_system
In India, Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) is responsible for certifying films meant for public exhibition.[68]
· U – Unrestricted public exhibition.
· U/A – Unrestricted public exhibition, but with parental guidance for children below the age of 12 years.
· A – Restricted to adults.
· S – Restricted to any special class of persons.
In United Kingdom:
Further information: British Board of Film Classification, History of British film certificates, and Video Recordings Act 1984
BBFC classification symbols (from 2019)
The British Board of Film Classification (BBFC) classifies films to be publicly exhibited in the United Kingdom, although statutory powers remain with local councils which can overrule any of the BBFC's decisions. Since 1984, the BBFC also classifies films made commercially available through a home video format. If the BBFC refuses a classification this effectively amounts to a ban (although local councils retain the legal right to overturn it in the case of cinema exhibition). The BBFC's regulatory powers do not extend to the Internet, so a film they have banned on physical media can still be made available via streaming media/video on demand. Videos designed to inform, educate or instruct or concerned with sport, religion or music are exempt from classification; exempt films may be marked as "E", but this is not an official label.[156][157]
The current BBFC system is:[158]
· U (Universal – Suitable for all) – A U-rated film should be suitable for audiences aged four years and over.
· PG (Parental Guidance) – General viewing, but some scenes may be unsuitable for young children. A PG-rated film should not unsettle a child aged around eight or older.
· 12A / 12 (Suitable for 12 years and over) – Films classified 12A and video works classified 12 contain material that is not generally suitable for children aged under 12. No one younger than 12 may see a 12A-rated film in a cinema unless accompanied by an adult. No one younger than 12 may rent or buy a 12 rated video work.
· 15 (Suitable only for 15 years and older) – No-one under 15 is allowed to see a 15-rated film at the cinema or buy/rent a 15-rated video.
· 18 (Suitable only for adults) – No-one under 18 is allowed to see an 18-rated film at the cinema or buy/rent an 18-rated video.
· R18 (To be shown only in specially licensed cinemas, or supplied only in licensed sex shops, and to adults only) – The R18 category is a special and legally restricted classification primarily for explicit works of consenting sex or strong fetish material involving adults. Films may only be shown to adults in specially licensed cinemas, and video works may be supplied to adults only in licensed sex shops. R18-rated video works may not be supplied by mail order.
Older video works still in circulation may still carry the deprecated Uc label, classifying the work as "Especially suitable for pre-school children".[157]
United States
Main article: Motion Picture Association film rating system
In the United States, film classification is a voluntary process with the ratings issued by the Motion Picture Association (MPA) via the Classification and Rating Administration (CARA).[159][160] The system was established in 1968, but the version listed below is the most recent revision, having been in effect since 1990.[161] An unrated film is often informally denoted by "NR" in newspapers and so forth.[162]
· G (General Audiences) – All ages admitted.
· PG (Parental Guidance Suggested) – Some material may not be suitable for children.
· PG-13 (Parents Strongly Cautioned) – Some material may be inappropriate for children under 13.
· R (Restricted) – Under 17 requires accompanying parent or adult guardian.
· NC-17 (Adults Only) – No one 17 and under admitted.
