FCC Explores Improved TV Ratings, V-Chip

The Federal Communications Commission is exploring an overhaul of the nation’s television ratings, potentially enabling the use of alternatives from religious, parental, and other groups that utilize more-rigorous standards, government, industry, and advocacy sources said.

Parents could program their televisions to filter content based on guidance from Focus on the Family and similar organizations that have independent ratings, the sources said. Key to all of this is updating the so-called V-chip, which is required by the Telecommunications Act of 1996. The technology, installed in all TV sets with screens that are 13 inches or larger, allows viewers to use the ratings to block programming they consider objectionable. Also under discussion is the idea of adopting more-uniform standards for how TV shows, and perhaps other forms of entertainment, are rated. In recent weeks, the office of FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski has been reaching out to a variety of groups concerned about the issue regarding possible changes to the ratings scheme.