TV RATINGS WOULD HELP PARENTS MAKE CHOICES

Ratings for television? It is a concept whose time has come.

The TV industry is moving toward a rating system by year's end to help parents figure out the suitability of shows for children. If the TV industry moves too slowly, don't be surprised to see federal regulators intercede. Ratings will happen. It is only a matter of who will impose them.

At one time, censors ruled on TV programming. Today, networks and cable TV seem to constantly push the edge of envelope. Violence, sexual innuendo and even profanity are commonplace on prime-time shows. Parents typically have little warning that "family" shows contain offensive material.

Ratings are no substitute for parental control. But even parents need a little help in determining appropriateness of today's TV shows. The ratings system may help put family back into prime-time television.