RTÉ ADOPT ON-SCREEN CLASSIFICATIONS

RTÉ One and Network 2 viewers will shortly be noticing small content classification icons in the top left hand corner of the screen.
Briefly appearing for 20 seconds at the start of programmes, the icons signal the beginning of an initiative which will see RTÉ gradually move to a situation where most programmes will be classified regarding the programme’s content.
The system is an information service to television viewers, letting them know more about the content of scheduled programmes so that they can make informed decisions on what to view or not to view.
Childrens’ and young adults’ programmes will be labelled as such. Programmes with explicit sex or violence more suited to a mature audience will not merely be scheduled after the 9pm watershed but will also be flagged on screen.
There will be five classes: General Audience (GA); Children (Ch); Young adult (YA); Parental supervision (PS); and Mature Audience (MA).
Although the RTÉ initiative may resemble cinema-release movie classification, this is a service particularly for television that will take into account television traditions and conventions where all types of programme, not just movies, will be classified. (SP)