Greece did not have its own television rating system before the year 2000. The Greek television rating system uses five different ratings. Each rating is represented by a different shape contained in a different-colored background until 2019, when it used a new rating system.
These color-coded ratings are mandatorily displayed and verbally announced at the beginning of each broadcast. These binding provisions are enforced by the National Radio and Television Council (ESR), an independent authority, the executive members of which are appointed by the leaders of all parliamentary parties, preferably by unanimous consent and in extremis by an 80% supermajority.
Current ratings[]
The ratings are:
- K: Recommended for all ages
- 8: Recommended for persons aged 8 and over, can only air a half an hour after the kid-friendly zone
- 12: Recommended for persons aged 12 and over, can only air from 9:30/10:00 pm until 6:00 am
- 16: Recommended for persons aged 16 and over, can only air from 11:00 pm until 6:00 am
- 18: Recommended for persons aged 18 and over, can only air from 1:00 am until 6:00 am
Content descriptors[]
Programmes suitable for ages 12 and above use these descriptors as an extra mark.
- Violence
- Sex
- Use of Substances
- Inappropriate Language
Ratings before 2019[]
- White rhombus in green background: Recommended for all audiences. Equivalent to TV-Y, TV-G and TV-Y7..
- White circle in blue background: Recommended for persons aged 10 and over; Equivalent to TV-Y7-FV and soft TV-PG for TV.
- White triangle in orange background: Recommended for persons aged 12 and over; parental guidance required for those under that age (only allowed between 7:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m.). Equivalent to high TV-PG and low TV-14.
- White square in purple background: Recommended for persons aged 15 and over (only allowed between 9:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m.). Equivalent to high TV-14 and low TV-MA.
- White cross in red background: Recommended for persons aged 18 and over (allowed only between midnight and 6:00 a.m.. Very strong language before midnight is punishable by fine, except when used in the context of the programme). Equivalent to high TV-MA.
