Opinion – The problematic TV rating of Star Trek: Discovery
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Will a TV-MA rating either hurt or help this new series of the Star Trek franchise?
It was recently revealed in the following trailer for the upcoming series Star Trek: Discovery, the latest TV adaptation of the Star Trek franchise, that the show will be rated TV-MA.
We are a long way from home. #StarTrekDiscovery is streaming on CBS All Access starting 9/24: https://t.co/x9PIfpn9fB pic.twitter.com/jOApDamMr5
— Star Trek: Discovery (@startrekcbs) August 17, 2017
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For those unaware of the United States’ TV Ratings, TV-MA indicates that a program is exclusively for people over the age of 17 and not suitable for children. Most of the franchise’s previous TV series have been rated TV-PG, which indicates that a program may not be suitable for children and suggests Parental Guidance. The only exception has been an episode of Star Trek: Enterprise which received a TV-14 rating (where a program may not be suitable for those below the age of 14) due to content.
Discovery receiving a TV-MA rating is problematic. While the previous shows have featured death, war, blood, and the occasional badly choreographed fight, it has mostly been able to present them under the TV-PG rating.
There might be fans who think that this is not a problem since shows rated TV-MA have been very successful, such as Marvel’s The Defenders and House of Cards. However, those shows were originally aimed at and created for older audiences. Since the original Star Trek, the franchise’s TV series have always aimed to be something that the whole family can watch together.
While the showrunners have stated that the show is a “hard PG-13”, the TV-MA rating may drive away fans who want to introduce Star Trek to their children with Discovery. If the show was rated TV-PG or even TV-14, like most broadcast dramas, those fans may be more open to letting their children watch the show. Otherwise, they may think that Discovery will feature a far more adult and violent version of Star Trek in comparison to the past series or even the films.
Star Trek: Discovery premieres September 24th on CBS. Subsequent episodes will stream in the United States on CBS All Access and in most countries on Netflix.
What do you think about the show’s TV-MA rating? Feel free to respond down in the comments section.
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