Written by PTC | Published October 3, 2023
LOS ANGELES (October 3, 2023) – A new Parents Television and Media Council (PTC) study found that most of the original content on streaming platforms is rated for mature audiences, vastly overshadowing TV-G and TV-PG-rated programming.
The report, “Families Need Not Subscribe: An Analysis of the Scarcity of Family Content on Streaming Platforms,” found that across the major streaming services, there are 541 MA-rated original series; but only 87 TV- PG-rated, and even fewer, 60 TV-G-rated. There’s at least 268% more adult-only entertainment on streaming platforms than there is content that’s suitable for families.
“Families who want to watch TV together are being left out by streaming platforms that heavily favor TV-MA original programming that unfailingly includes graphic sex, violence, profanity, or a combination of the three. By primarily offering programming that’s exclusively for adults, the streaming industry – already facing profitability challenges – is effectively alienating a reliable audience,” said Melissa Henson, vice president, Parents Television and Media Council.
“Parents frequently ask us what kinds of programming is safe for their families to watch, and our study shows that there is a scarcity on streaming platforms. Their choices shouldn’t be solely between Sex Education and My Little Pony, or Game of Thrones and Sesame Street, but that’s effectively what families face in today’s streaming world.
“But it doesn’t have to be this way, nor should it. Surveys indicate families want to watch TV together, yet less than 20% report watching with children under the age of 18. The culprit? Legacy media has failed to offer suitable and abundant family programming. But reversing this trend would help streamers to tap into a broader market, build brand loyalty, and align with societal values while ensuring a sustainable and profitable future. We know this can be done. We encourage the entertainment industry that as it shifts into production following the strike, that programming for families is top of mind,” Henson said.
Methodology:
The PTC set out to evaluate which streaming services offer the best opportunities for family viewing. The PTC analyzed the most popular SVOD services (Apple TV+, Hulu, Max, Netflix, Paramount+, Peacock and Prime Video) to quantify the availability of family-appropriate original content (programs rated TV-G or TV-PG).
Additional Findings:
The full study can be found here.