Streaming platform content ratings explained
While many streaming platforms will use local content classifications, that’s not always the case.
Explore the content ratings you might come across below to help you make the right streaming choices for your family.
In this guide
- How to choose content for children
- What are BBFC ratings?
- Platforms which don’t use BBFC
- Content ratings in other countries
- Supporting resources
How to choose content for children
With a range of streaming services available to choose from, your family has an almost endless choice when it comes to watching film and television on demand.
Research shows that Netflix, BBC iPlayer and Disney Plus are the most popular streaming services in the UK. However, there are a range of other services both in the UK and globally that families engage with.
While many streaming platforms in the UK use the BBFC system of content ratings, some do not.
Explore the different types of content ratings you might come across to help make informed choices about the film and TV your child watches.
What are BBFC ratings?
BBFC stands for British Board of Film Classification. The organisation partners with a range of streaming services to ensure that the content ratings match what viewers expect.
These services include Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV and HBO Max.
BBFC age ratings
- U (Universal) – Suitable for audiences of all ages.
- PG (Parental Guidance) – Suitable for general viewing.
- 12A/12 – Contains material not generally suitable for those aged under 12.
- 15 – No one under 15 may watch this content.
- 18 – No one under 18 may watch this content.
Learn more about the BBFC classification system here.
Platforms which don’t use BBFC
The following platforms, which are available in the UK, do not use BBFC ratings. Instead, they use their own rating systems.
Familiarise yourself with the age ratings used on your streaming services to ensure your child is accessing appropriate content.
Explore the information for the following platforms below:
Disney Plus
Disney+ does not currently use BBFC age ratings. This means that some content inappropriate for under-15s, for example, might be accessible.
Disney+ uses the following content ratings as a default in the UK:
- 0+ – Suitable for all ages.
- 6+ – Not suitable for those under 6.
- 9+ – Not suitable for those under 9.
- 12+ – Not suitable for those under 12.
- 14+ – Not suitable for those under 14.
- 16+ – Not suitable for those under 16.
- 18+ – Only suitable for adults.
Disney+ highlights content which might be unsuitable for some viewers as well. This includes content which is violent, causes fear or depicts substances like drugs. You can learn more about their ratings here.
Some TV and film on Disney+ may not share a similar enough rating with BBFC ratings. This can mean your child is able to access content that is not age appropriate based on the BBFC system. It could also mean they can’t access content they would otherwise be able to with the BBFC system.
This makes it difficult to set parental controls and create child-specific profiles.
Examples include:
- Family Guy (14+ on Disney; 15 via BBFC)
- The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe (12+ on Disney; PG via BBFC)
- The Mandalorian (14+ on Disney; 12 via BBFC)
Paramount Plus
Paramount+ follows a similar content rating system to Disney+. The system used in the UK is specific to audiences in the UK and Ireland. You can learn about these systems here. Their content ratings are:
- 0+ – Content designed for a very young audience.
- 9+, 12+ – May be unsuitable for under-9s.
- 15+ – Generally unsuitable for under-15s.
- 18+ – Generally unsuitable for under-18s.
Paramount+ also includes content labels to give more information about what you might see. This can help you make choices about the content your family watches.
NOW
NOW uses age ratings that share similarities with BBFC ratings. However, how the ratings are applied varies. For example, the 2012 TV show Community is rated 12 on NOW but 15 via BBFC.
NOW uses the following content ratings:
- U (Unrated) – Suitable for little kids.
- PG (Parental Guidance) – Suitable for kids aged 8+
- 12 – Suitable for children 12 and over.
- 15 – Suitable for children 15 and over.
- 18 – Suitable for adults only.
Learn more about NOW’s content ratings, which you can use to set parental controls.
BBC iPlayer
BBC iPlayer is slightly different from other streaming services, which is why it doesn’t use BBFC ratings. Instead, it (and similar services) are considered a Public Service Broadcaster (PSB) and is regulated by OFCOM.
iPlayer uses a simpler system of labelling ‘G’ for ‘Guidance’ on any content which may be inappropriate for children. Programmes with a G label will also usually include some additional information for why it has that label (e.g. violence or strong language).
Content ratings in other countries
Streaming services outside of the United Kingdom may adopt local content ratings systems. This could include:
- Motion Picture Association (United States)
- TV Parental Guidelines (United States)
- Central Board of Film Certification (India)
- Australian Classification
While these classification systems might share similarities to BBFC ratings, it’s important to double check local ratings if you are outside of the UK.