Offensive Language in Prime Time Television: Before and After Content Ratings

The present study examined one week of prime time programs aired on the ABC, CBS, NBC, and Fox networks in 1990, 1994, and 1997 to ascertain whether usage of offensive language has increased from 1990 to 1997 when a content-based rating system was implemented. The per-hour rate of objectionable words increased between 1990 and 1994 but decreased in 1997 to a level slightly below that found in 1990. Although the FCC deems the "seven dirty words" as too offensive for television, five of these words have made their way onto the prime time airwaves.