PTC to Disney: Better Online Parental Controls are Good, but TV-MA-Rated Content Destroys Your Brand

LOS ANGELES (March 8, 2022) – The Parents Television and Media Council (PTC) has applauded Disney+ for planning an update to its parental controls, but simultaneously has denounced the company’s decision to add six TV-MA (Mature Audiences Only) rated Marvel television series to the platform. To date, Disney+ has only allowed content rated TV-14 or younger.

“For more than 98 years, the Walt Disney Company has been synonymous with the words Family Friendly, and I can think of no other corporation in American history that has been built more squarely on the backs – and on the wallets – of parents and families. The company’s eponymous platform Disney+ logically marketed itself as a family-friendly streaming service, and parents have placed their trust in Disney to deliver just that. It seems wildly ‘off-brand’ for Disney+ to add TV-MA and R-rated programming to this platform, ostensibly to increase subscription revenue. So what comes next, adding live striptease performances in Fantasyland at Disney World?” said Tim Winter, president of the Parents Television and Media Council.

“While we applaud Disney+ for improving their parental controls, the mere presence of MA- and R-rated content violates the trust of families, and may well turn them off entirely.

“There is no need for Disney+ to compete with the explicit content on other streaming platforms. Disney is already at a competitive advantage with a streaming platform that is the safest one out there for families. Its foray into TV-MA-rated fare will forever tarnish its family friendly crown.”