FCC Chairman Brendan Carr has launched new review into the television ratings system under the President Trump administration, according to Deadline. The review will examine whether the current ratings system provides parents with sufficient information about the content in children’s television programming.
The Federal Communications Commission specifically raised concerns about how gender identity topics are included or promoted in programs aimed at younger audiences. The television ratings system has been used for decades to help parents understand what kind of content may appear in television programs before children watch them.
The FCC’s review will examine whether those standards should be updated as television and streaming content continue to evolve. According to Deadline, Carr said the agency wants to determine whether the current system still works for modern audiences and whether additional guidance is needed for parents.
The announcement has already sparked debate across the entertainment industry. Supporters of the review argue that parents should have clearer information about what children are watching.
At the same time, critics have raised concerns that the review could disproportionately target LGBTQ+ representation in television programming. The FCC’s latest move comes during broader conversations surrounding media standards and children’s programming across television and streaming platforms.
The agency is also expected to examine how ratings are applied between traditional television and streaming services. mxdwn has previously covered other FCC-related involvements within the entertainment industry.
One earlier report focused on ABC’s The View coming under FCC review after featuring Texas Senate candidate James Talarico during a broadcast. That coverage highlighted growing concerns about how federal regulators are examining television content and political discussions appearing on major networks, showing how the FCC’s involvement in television oversight has continued to expand into new areas of media scrutiny.
The current review adds another layer to those ongoing conversations, particularly as debates continue around who shapes television standards and how content is categorized for audiences.
As of now, the FCC has not announced when the review process will be completed. For now, the agency is expected to continue gathering public input as discussions surrounding television ratings and children’s programming move forward.