Which is More Regulated, Film or TV?

Spherex • Dec 12, 2023

The answer is tricky.

Ask the average consumer if there's any difference between film and TV ratings, and they'll probably say “No." However, there are significant differences, as the above image from the MPA and TV Parental Guideline Monitoring Board indicates. From a content creator and distribution standpoint, preparing a title for television can require as much, if not more, content analysis and work to ensure it complies with local regulations.

The primary regulatory and market concerns of theatrical releases center on age ratings and compliance. TV distribution must also be concerned with the placement of commercial breaks, available run-time, watersheds, and more. Each impacts audience size and attractiveness to advertisers, affecting the bottom line.

Addressing these issues means understanding the story well enough to know where to break, what to bleep, blur, or cut, and when it will air. Given broadcast time constraints, changes can be easier to make than theatrical releases, but consumers expect the story to remain as true to the theatrical release as possible. That becomes trickier as one navigates international borders and encounters different age classifications, cultures, and languages.

Comparing Classifications

Most countries and territories have some form of film and TV classification system. Some are run by official government ministries, agencies, or the industry itself. Film classification boards have existed since the early 1900s. Ratings in those early days were considered moral guidelines without reference to age. These were implemented in a way many thought was overly restrictive and political and had “the odious smell of censorship.” Age-based classifications that were more acceptable to the global film industry have existed since the 1920s but were not widely adopted until 1968. Viewer age or maturity is the standard classification model used today.

The table below illustrates the differences between film and TV classifications for six countries. It indicates the complexity of content classifications across countries.

Countries may also require "consumer advice" or “advisories” appended to the age rating every time they appear, such as at the program's start and after each commercial break. Advice used in Australia, for example, includes the following:

A identifies stories or scenes with adult themes, medical procedures, or crude humor
V used for scenes depicting violence
L used for the use of coarse language
S used for scenes depicting simulated sex scenes and/or references
H used for scenes containing horror or supernatural themes
D used for scenes with drug references and/or use
N used for titles or scenes containing nudity

Regulators may also require indicators of intensity or frequency included with the advice, such as "mild" and "strong" or "some" and "frequent." Examples are "strong language," "intense fight scenes," or "disturbing visuals." Theatrical releases do not use these flags.

While movie and TV ratings may seem similar to the average consumer, a closer look reveals deep complexities. From navigating diverse international regulations to adhering to platform-specific restrictions, content creators and distributors face a delicate balancing act. This intricate dance between regulations, audience preferences, and commercial viability ensures that content reaches suitable viewers while staying true to its original form.

As technology and viewing habits evolve, so will the need for flexible and nuanced classification systems that cater to the ever-advancing entertainment landscape. The good news is that Spherex provides a suite of services to help you easily navigate this process. Contact us today to learn more.

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AI was Dominant at NAB 2024

By Spherex • 03 May, 2024

As predicted in our blog post , the 2024 NAB show focused on Artificial Intelligence (AI) technologies and their impact on the Media and Entertainment (M&E) industry. The event showcased the transformative potential of AI across various aspects of content creation, production, and distribution. Focus on Content Over 130 companies exhibited AI products and services, while 80 panels and workshops explored AI's role in the M&E sector. These sessions demonstrated how AI revolutionizes workflows, enhances creativity, and enables stunning visual effects and ultra-high-resolution graphics. Attendees gained valuable insights into integrating AI across the entire content pipeline, from scriptwriting and video editing to post-production and distribution. AI in Multilingual Content Production Another key focus was the role of AI in facilitating multilingual content production on a global scale. Workshops and panels explored how AI is automating and refining transcription, translation, and re-voicing processes, ensuring accurate and localized content delivery to diverse audiences worldwide. Experts also shared their experiences and best practices in leveraging AI for content creation and programming, discussing the balance between harnessing AI's potential and maintaining human oversight to address ethical concerns. AI's Impact on Content Policy Panels also delved into the critical policy issues related to AI adoption. For example, the future of AI-driven personalization in content delivery, the importance of responsible AI implementation in fostering diversity and inclusion, and the potential of generative AI to transform the media and entertainment landscape. AI Expands into Business Operations AI's reach in the industry increases daily and into products and services many people have not considered. For example, several AI-based back-office products were introduced that handle rights management, finance and royalties, market targeting and analytics, and advisory services. AI-based content management, security, and distribution systems ensure production assets are safe throughout the entire product chain; in-house AI development hardware reduces development and production costs; AI chips in consumer TV sets control screen pixels to eliminate glare and enhance image quality and enhance advertising and marketing tools to connected TVs are now coming to market. There can be no doubt that AI will, in some way, become part of every aspect of M&E for generations to come. Here to Stay Artificial Intelligence (AI) is becoming integral to the mindset of the media and entertainment industry. From AI-assisted scriptwriting and intelligent video editing tools to automated localization services and personalized content recommendations, the technology empowers companies to unleash their creative potential, streamline workflows, and connect with audiences on a deeper level. With a wide array of AI-powered solutions now available, such as Spherex AI ™, the industry is poised to drive innovation, efficiency, and growth, shaping the future of storytelling and delivering unparalleled experiences to viewers worldwide.

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Spherex To Demo its AI-powered Video Compliance Solution at NAB 2024

By Spherex • 27 Mar, 2024

Santa Clara, CA (March 27, 2024 ) — Spherex , a global technology and data company serving the Media and Entertainment industry, will showcase Spherex AI ™, its pioneering AI platform for video content compliance and analysis, at NAB 2024 in Las Vegas from April 13 to 17. The Spherex AI ™ platform empowers content owners to adapt their narratives for the broadest international audience while avoiding regulatory restrictions and censorship barriers. Spherex will be exhibiting at Booth W2217 in the West Hall of the Las Vegas Convention Center. Spherex AI ™ drastically reduces the time and resources required for video content localization, mitigates the risk of cultural insensitivity or noncompliance, and enables creators to accelerate expansion and reach the right audience faster, cost-effectively, and without brand risk. The platform scans film, TV, or advertising content quickly and affordably, making it the ideal solution for verifying the suitability of any video content for any global market. “Today, content providers and streaming platforms must navigate complex regulations and cultural norms to operate successfully in different markets,” said Teresa Phillips, Co-founder and CEO of Spherex. “By seamlessly integrating sophisticated AI with cultural and regulatory insights, Spherex helps content creators, studios, distributors, and platforms unlock new markets, broaden their audiences, and increase revenue.” At the heart of Spherex AI ’s™ innovation is its proprietary AI technology, based on a decade of meticulous research and analysis of laws, regulations, and film/TV classifications in over 100 countries, as well as the screening of millions of film and TV clips for training and validation. Unlike conventional methods that employ AI and Machine Learning (ML) to identify objectionable content in a scene, Spherex uses advanced techniques to interpret the cultural context surrounding classifiable elements such as drugs, violence, sexuality, and profanity. Understanding the context is crucial because it's not just about the events happening in a video or who is involved; it's about comprehending the setting, characters, impact, and consequences. These factors are essential in determining local age ratings and cultural suitability for worldwide markets. To book a meeting with Spherex at NAB, contact Davinder Lu thra here . About Spherex Spherex is a global technology and data company transforming how media and entertainment enterprises create, adapt, and deliver film and television to audiences worldwide through AI and machine learning. With unmatched expertise in culture and regulatory compliance, Spherex works with the world's largest media companies, movie studios, networks, distributors, and streamers to build larger audiences, speed up content discovery, drive more video views, and generate higher revenue. Learn more at www.spherex.com .