Canadian rating systems

Watching TV

•The TV rating systems in Canada are based on the Canadian Radio-Television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) policy on violence in television programming.

•While violence is the most important content element to be rated, the structure developed takes into consideration other program content like language, nudity, sexuality and mature themes.

•When setting the V-CHIP on the Canadian system you can choose either the Canadian English ratings or the Canadian French ratings.

Canadian English ratings

Rating

Description

EExempt: Includes news, sports, documentaries and other information programming; talk shows, music videos, and variety programming.

CChildren: Intended for younger children under the age of 8 years. Pays careful attention to themes that could threaten their sense of security and well-being.

	C8+	Children over 8 years old: Contains no portrayal of violence as the preferred, acceptable, or only way to resolve
	C8+	conflict; nor encourage children to imitate dangerous acts which they may see on the screen.
	G	General: Considered acceptable for all age groups. Appropriate viewing for the entire family, contains very
Age	G	little violence, physical, verbal or emotional.
		little violence, physical, verbal or emotional.
	PG	Parental Guidance: Intended for a general audience, but may not be suitable for younger children (under

		the age of 8) because it could contain controversial themes or issues.
14+		Over 14 Years: Could contain themes where violence is one of the dominant elements of the storyline, but
14+		it must be integral to the development of plot or character. Language usage could be profane and nudity
		present within the context of the theme.
18+		Adults: Intended for viewers 18 years and older and might contain depictions of violence, which while
18+		related to the development of plot, character or themes, are intended for adult viewing.
		Could contain graphic language and portrayals of sex and nudity.

Example: If you select “G”, this will automatically block the higher ratings “PG”, “14+” and “18+”.

Canadian French ratings

	Rating		Description
		E	Exempt programming.
		G	General: All ages and children, contains minimal direct violence, but may be integrated into the plot in a
		G	humorous or unrealistic manner.
			humorous or unrealistic manner.
		8 ans+	General but inadvisable for young children: May be viewed by a wide public audience, but could contain
Age		8 ans+	scenes disturbing to children under 8 who cannot distinguish between imaginary and real situations.
Age			Recommended for viewing with parent.
		13 ans+	Over 13 years: Could contain scenes of frequent violent scenes and therefore recommended for viewing
		13 ans+	with parent.
		16 ans+	Over 16 years: Could contain frequent violent scenes and intense violence.
		18 ans+	Over 18 years: Only for adult viewing. Could contain frequent violent scenes and extreme violence.

Example: If you select “8 ans+”, this will automatically block the higher ratings “13 ans+”, “16 ans+” and “18 ans+”.

Canadian English ratings

1Repeat steps 1 and 2 in TV Parental Guidelines (TV Guidelines).

2Select “CAN ENG Rating”, then press ▶ or ENTER. Press ▲/▼ to select E, C, C8+, G, PG, 14+ or 18+, then press ENTER.

3Press EXIT to return to the normal screen.

Canadian French ratings

1Repeat steps 1 and 2 in TV Parental Guidelines (TV Guidelines).

2Select “CAN FRE Rating”, then press ▶ or ENTER. Press ▲/▼ to select E ,G, 8 ans+, 13 ans+, 16 ans+ or 18 ans+, then press ENTER.

3Press EXIT to return to the normal screen.

How to temporarily release the V-Chip block

The V-Chip block is working and censors a broadcast, “This program has been blocked!” displays.

1Press MUTE while the V-Chip is working and then the password entering menu displays.

2Enter your 4-digit password with 0–9, then press

ENTER.

At this time V-Chip block temporarily releases.

Reactivating the temporarily released V-Chip block Method 1: Change to the other channel.

Method 2: Switch off the TV power.

NOTE

•Performing any of the two above will activate the V-Chip block.