PUBLIC NOTICE
FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION
1919 M STREET, N.W.
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20554                                  DA 97-518

News media information 202/418-0500     Fax-On-Demand  202/418-2830     Internet:  http://www.fcc.gov    ftp.fcc.gov


Report No. CS 97-8    CABLE SERVICES ACTION        March 12, 1997

                           MODIFICATION OF
         INDUSTRY PROPOSAL FOR RATING VIDEO PROGRAMMING 
                     (CS Docket No. 97-55)

     1.   On January 17, 1997, the National Association of Broadcasters ("NAB"), the National
Cable Television Association ("NCTA") and the Motion Picture Association of America ("MPAA")
submitted a joint proposal to the Commission describing a voluntary system for rating video
programming (the "industry proposal").  On February 7, 1997, the Commission issued a Public
Notice seeking comment on the industry proposal.

     2.   On March 7, 1997, NAB, NCTA and MPAA notified the Commission that, to resolve
certain trademark concerns, the industry proposal's symbol for the category "Mature Audience Only"
will be changed from "TV-M" to "TV-MA."  This modification will become effective March 15,
1997.  The descriptors of the content of programs in this category, and all other aspects of the
industry proposal, remain unchanged.  (A copy of the letter submitted by NAB, NCTA and MPAA
is attached hereto as an Appendix.) 

     3.   The comment periods and procedures for filing comments in this proceeding remain
unchanged from the Commission's Public Notice of February 7, 1997.

Media Contact:  Morgan Broman (202) 418-2358.
Cable Services Bureau Contact:  Rick Chessen at (202) 418-7200. 

                              -- FCC --
                             APPENDIX

                         March 7, 1997
                                
                                
                                
Mr. William F. Caton
Secretary 
Federal Communications Commission
1919 M Street, N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20554

Re:  CS Docket No. 97-55

Dear Mr. Caton:

     This letter will notify the Commission that, to resolve certain trademark concerns, one of
the icons in the TV Parental Guidelines that we submitted to the Commission on January 17,
1997 will be changed.  Effective March 15, 1997, the symbol for the category, "Mature Audience
Only," will be:







     The descriptors of the content of programs in this category, and all other aspects of the
system of TV Parental Guidelines described in our January 17 filing, remain unchanged.

     Please direct any questions concerning this matter to the undersigned.

                    Respectfully submitted,
                                
                                
                                
                                
Cynthia Merifield
Motion Picture 
Association of AmericaJill Luckett
National Cable Television
AssociationJack Goodman
National Association
of Broadcasters

cc:  Chairman and Commissioners
     Meredith J. Jones (w/diskette)
     Roy J. Stewart
     Christopher J. Wright