PARIS: France’s TV regulator, Conseil supérieur de l’audiovisuel (CSA), has chosen to abandon the idea of the V-chip to block content inappropriate for children, preferring instead to allow each broadcaster to implement its own system to inform viewers of shows’ suitability for kids. Broadcasters were required to implement a system by November 18.

TF1, France 2, France 3 and M6 introduced similar systems: a green circle on a program denotes that some scenes may not be suitable for children and parental guidance is suggested. An orange circle indicates that the program is rated for an audience over 12 years of age and may contain violent scenes. These shows cannot be aired earlier than 10 p.m. A red square warns that the program is rated for viewers over 16 years of age and contains sexually explicit and violent scenes. These programs cannot be aired before 10:30 p.m.

Satellite station Canal+, which airs X-rated programming something banned on the terrestrial stations has introduced its own rating system using the same symbols, but with a different color scheme.

Each channel is obliged to create an in-house screening committee to decide which symbol to attach to a program. Broadcasters that do not comply with the new ruling will be fined by the CSA.