Final answer:
Television show parental guideline ratings are determined based on content that may be inappropriate for children such as violence and sexuality. The ratings are set by networks and regulatory bodies, though producers and broadcasters often follow these guidelines to cater to specific audiences and to ensure compliance with industry standards.
Step-by-step explanation:
The process of determining a television show's parental guideline rating typically involves an evaluation of content related to violence, sexuality, drug use and other mature themes, which might not be suitable for younger audiences. While individual producers have significant influence over their content, networks and regulatory bodies often set the ratings based on established standards. For instance, the motion picture industry introduced a rating system in the 1960s, while the Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB) was established in 1994 for video games. In television, parental guideline ratings and tools like the 'V-Chip' technology enable parents to control what their children watch. Moreover, court cases and legislation have attempted to address the sale and distribution of explicit content to minors. For example, efforts to regulate content on the Internet were struck down as unconstitutional, although laws like the Children's Internet Protection Act require filtering of obscene material in schools and public libraries.
Content regulation not only concerns parents and regulators; it also draws attention to personal freedoms and industry standards for broadcasters and production companies. Networks commonly target viewers between eighteen and forty-nine, shaping the type of content that is aired. Cases such as the Super Bowl 'wardrobe malfunction' in 2004 brought indecency standards to the forefront, with the FCC imposing fines for violations. Although cable and satellite channels are not strictly bound by these decency standards, many adhere to them for commercial reasons.