RTÉ viewers will be able to assess instantly whether programmes are suitable for children or teenagers under a new on-screen classification system.
Pre-recorded programmes on RTÉ 1 and Network 2 are now carrying small icons identifying five viewer categories indicating broadly whether the broadcasts contain violent or sexual material or bad language.
Shows such as Who Wants To Be A Millionaire are deemed suitable for an audience of all ages and tastes while post 9 p.m. "watershed" programmes such as The Sopranos series about a New Jersey Mafia family are classified as appropriate for a mature audience only. RTÉ says it is unaware of any similar scheme for TV audiences in other stations. For 20 seconds at the start of programmes, icons will appear on the top right corner of the screen indicating whether the programme is classified as General Audience (GA), Children (Ch), Young Adult (YA), Parental Supervision (PS) or Mature Audience (MA).
Programmes classified as Young Adult are aimed at teenagers and may deal with relationships, sexual activity or soft drugs. These would typically include the Australian soap Home and Away or the US high school series, Sister Sister and Hang Time.
Programmes labelled Parental Supervision may deal with adult themes and be moderately violent or include the occasional swear word. A Mature Audience rating means the programme contains scenes of sexual activity or violence or profane dialogue.