PBS Agrees to Use Enhanced Ratings; Black Entertainment Television Says No

PBS, which refused to use the program ratings implemented by the rest of the industry last January, says it will now join in carrying the enhanced guidelines that offer more information about sex, violence and coarse language.

While saying the labels announced Thursday still fall “short of perfection,” PBS President Ervin Duggan indicated that they address his concerns about providing more information while garnering input from interested groups.

PBS also suggested that parents need to be steered toward programs with merit, not just warned away from fare they might not want their children to watch.

Cable network Black Entertainment Television, however, will continue not to use ratings. “We don’t think the additional changes have made the system work any better,” a spokeswoman said.