With the increase in the number of channels available to the public on cable TV, there was also a rise in the concern over sex and violence exposed to children on television. There was a demand for some kind of guidelines for TV programs, similar to the ratings system established by the Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA.)

In 1996, Congress passed the Telecommunications Act of 1996. It did two things for concerned parents. It required half of all new television models 13 inches or larger manufactured after July 1, 1999, and all sets 13 inches or larger manufactured after January 1, 2000 to have "V-Chip" technology. The "V-Chip" is a device that will block out programming deemed inappropriate by parents. The V-Chip works in conjunction with the second thing that the Act set in motion, the "TV Parental Guidelines." In Section 551 of the Act, Congress gave the broadcasting industry the first opportunity to institute voluntary ratings. The industry set up a system for rating programming that contained sexual, violent, or other material parents may consider inappropriate and voluntarily committed to broadcast signals containing these ratings. The National Association of Broadcasters (NAB), the National Cable Television Association (NCTA), and the MPAA established the rating system. These ratings are displayed on the television screen for the first 15 seconds of rated programming (and reappear again at the beginning of the second hour if the program is longer than one hour) and, in conjunction with the V-Chip, permit parents to block programming with a certain rating from coming into their home. The amount of blockage is solely to the discretion of the parent. The broadcast and cable television networks voluntarily rate their programs, and the ratings are determined per episode. News and sports programming do not receive TV ratings. Below are the ratings that were established (the "examples" are the shows that typically get that rating. Some shows receive different ratings based on the specific content of that episode.)

Ratings specifically for children:

TV-Y (All Children -- This program is designed to be appropriate for all children)-A show that receives this rating means that it is okay for all children, especially between the ages of 2 to 6 years-old. Examples: "Sesame Street," "Barney"

TV-Y7 (Directed to Older Children -- This program is designed for children age 7 and above)- A show that receives this rating means that it may be more appropriate for children who have acquired the developmental skills needed to distinguish between make-believe and reality, which is usually when they reach 7-years-old. Themes and elements in this show may include mild fantasy or comedic violence, or may frighten children under the age of 7. An extension of this rating may be TV-Y7-FV for shows where fantasy violence may be more intense than other shows in this category. Examples: "The Powerpuff Girls," "X-Men: Evolution"

Ratings for the entire audience:

TV-G (General Audience -- Most parents would find this program suitable for all ages)-This rating isn't specifically for children, but shows with the rating contain little or no violence, no strong language, and little or no sexual dialogue or situations. Examples: "7th Heaven," "American Juniors"

TV-PG (Parental Guidance Suggested -- This program contains material that parents may find unsuitable for younger children)-Almost every show on the broadcast networks in primetime receives this rating. The show may sometimes call for parental guidance, so an extension of the rating may contain one or more of the following: moderate violence (V), some sexual situations (S), infrequent coarse language (L), or some suggestive dialogue (D.) Examples: "The Gilmore Girls," "Everwood"

TV-14 (Parents Strongly Cautioned -- This program contains some material that many parents would find unsuitable for children under 14 years of age)-Shows with this rating are usually not appropriate for children under the age of 14, and parents should probably not let them watch these shows unattended. Shows with this rating contain one or more of the following extensions: intense violence (V), intense sexual situations (S), strong coarse language (L), or intensely suggestive dialogue (D.) Examples: "NYPD Blue," most episodes of "Friends"

TV-MA (Mature Audience Only -- This program is specifically designed to be viewed by adults and therefore may be unsuitable for children under 17). Children under 17 should not watch these shows, because the shows that receive this rating are not intended for children at all. This rating is usually given to shows on premium networks, like HBO and Showtime, but some basic cable shows have the rating as well. Shows with this rating contain one or more of the following extensions: graphic violence (V), explicit sexual activity (S), or crude indecent language (L.) Examples: "South Park," "The Sopranos"