Showtime Rating Bumpers

July 1, 1976-April 1979

Showtime promos (January 6, 1979)

Showtime promos (February 4, 1979)-2

Bumper: Just an orange circle with a rating inside it.

Announcements:

• This program contains strong language, nudity and a candid attitude towards sex. Recommended for mature viewing audiences.
• This program contains some violence and strong language. Recommended for mature viewers.
• G: This program has been rated G. Suitable for General Audiences. It will be presented in its entirety without deletions or commercial interruptions.
• PG: This program has been rated PG. Parental guidance is suggested. It will be presented in its entirety without deletions or commercial interruptions.
• R: This program has been rated R. Recommended for 17 years or older. It will be presented in its entirety without deletions or commercial interruptions.

Variants: Sometimes, "Recommended for mature audiences" text is shown instead of the rating.

FX/SFX: TBA

Music/Sounds/Voiceover: An announcer reading the text.

Availability: Extinct.

May 1979-April 1980

Bumper: On a blue or purple background, we see two white lines. On the top is "RATED [G, PG, or R]," and on the bottom is "SHOWTIME." In the middle of it, white rating text scrolls up.

Announcements:

• G: "The following motion picture has been rated G by the Motion Picture Association of America. and is suitable for your entire family."
• PG: "The following motion picture has been rated PG by the Motion Picture Association of America, as it deals with mature subject matter and may contain strong language, nudity, or scenes of violence. Parental guidance is suggested."
• R: "The following motion picture has been rated R by the Motion Picture Association of America, as it may contain strong language, nudity, or scenes of violence. Parental guidance is suggested. Please consult your viewer’s guide for more specific details."

FX/SFX: The scrolling.

Music/Sounds/Voiceover: Same as the previous bumper.

Availability: Same as the previous bumper.

May 1980-Early 1981

Bumper: Same as the previous bumper, except the background is light purple and the text is dark yellow. In addition, different text is used for each rating.

Announcements:

• G: "The following motion picture has been rated 'G' by the Motion Picture Association of America. and is suitable for your entire family."
• PG: "The following feature has been rated 'PG' by the Motion Picture Association of America. Some of the program content may not be suitable for children, and parental guidance is suggested."
• R: "The following feature has been rated 'R' by the Motion Picture Association of America. SHOWTIME recommends that the film be viewed by mature audiences only. Please consult your viewer’s guide for more specific details."
• The following SHOWTIME entertainment special is suitable for viewing by your entire family.
• The following SHOWTIME entertainment special deals with mature subject matter and contains some strong language. Parental guidance is advised.

Variants: On specials, "SPECIAL" replaces the rating, and text about the content of said special is used.

FX/SFX: The scrolling.

Music/Sounds/Voiceover: Same as the previous bumpers.

Availability: Same as the previous bumpers.

Early-Mid 1981

Bumper: Same as the previous two bumpers, except "RATED" no longer precedes the rating, and "SHOWTIME" is now italicized.

Announcements:

• G: "The following film has been rated "G" for General Audiences, by the motion picture industry's rating system and is suitable for viewing by your entire family."
• PG: "The following film has been rated "PG" by the motion picture industry's rating system. Some of the program content may be unsuitable for children. and parental guidance is suggested."
• R: "The following film has been rated "R", restricted, by the motion picture industry's rating system. SHOWTIME recommends that children under 17 view this picture in the company of an adult."
• The following SHOWTIME entertainment special is suitable for viewing by your entire family.
• The following SHOWTIME entertainment special deals with mature subject matter and contains some strong language. Parental guidance is advised.
• The following SHOWTIME entertainment special deals with mature subject matter and may contains some nudity and strong language. Parental guidance is advised.

Variants: As with the previous bumper, a variant exists for specials.

FX/SFX: The scrolling.

Music/Sounds/Voiceover: Same as the previous bumpers.

Availability: Same as the previous bumpers.

Mid 1981-1983

Bumper: On a black/blue gradient background, a round TV set design used in Showtime's logo of the era is shown. Next to it is either "GENERAL AUDIENCE," "PARENTAL GUIDANCE," or "RESTRICTED AUDIENCE(S)." As before, the rating information scrolls up.

Announcements:

• G: "The following film has been rated 'G' for General Audiences, by the motion picture industry's rating system and is suitable for viewing by your entire family."
• PG: "The following film has been rated 'PG' by the motion picture industry's rating system. Parents may consider that some of the program content may be unsuitable for children. Parental guidance is therefore suggested."
• R: "The following film has been rated 'R,' restricted, by the motion picture industry's rating system. SHOWTIME recommends that children under 17 view this picture in the company of an adult."
• The following program is suitable for viewing by your entire family.
• The following feature deals with mature subject matter. Some of the material may not be suitable for children, and parental guidance is suggested.
• The following feature deals with mature subject matter. SHOWTIME recommends that children under 17 view this picture in the company of an adult.

Variants: As with the previous bumpers, variants exist for specials.

FX/SFX: The scrolling.

Music/Sounds/Voiceover: Same as the previous bumpers.

Availability: Same as the previous bumpers.

1983-June 1985

Bumper: On a blue/black gradient background, we see the then-current Showtime logo in a black area above with a white line underneath.

Announcements:

• G: "The following film has been rated 'G' for General Audiences, by the motion picture industry's rating system and is suitable for viewing by your entire family."
• PG: "The following film has been rated 'PG' by the motion picture industry's rating system. Parents may consider that some of the program content may be unsuitable for children. Parental guidance is therefore suggested."
• PG-13 (introduced in 1984): "Parents are strongly cautioned to give special guidance for viewing by children under 13. Some material may be inappropriate for young children."
• R: "The following film has been rated 'R,' restricted, by the motion picture industry's rating system. SHOWTIME recommends that children under 17 view this picture only in the company of an adult."
• The following motion picture is suitable for viewing by your entire family.
• The following motion picture contains mature subject matter. SHOWTIME recommends viewing only by mature audiences.
• The following motion picture contains mature subject matter. Parents may consider some of the program content unsuitable for children. Parental discretion is advised.
• The following SHOWTIME SERIES is suitable for viewing by your entire family.
• The following SHOWTIME SERIES contains mature subject matter. SHOWTIME recommends viewing only by mature audiences.
• The following SHOWTIME SERIES contains mature subject matter. Parents may consider some of the program content unsuitable for children. Parental discretion is advised.
• The following SHOWTIME ENTERTAINMENT SPECIAL is suitable for viewing by your entire family.
• The following SHOWTIME ENTERTAINMENT SPECIAL contains mature subject matter. SHOWTIME recommends viewing only by mature audiences.
• The following SHOWTIME ENTERTAINMENT SPECIAL contains mature subject matter. Parents may consider some of the program content unsuitable for children. Parental discretion is advised.

Variants: Special text is used for specials once again.

FX/SFX: The scrolling.

Music/Sounds/Voiceover: Same as the previous bumpers.

Availability: Same as the previous bumpers.

July 1985-1987

Bumper: Against a black-purple gradient background, we see "G", "PG", "PG-13", or "R" in the center. Text appears in front of it describing the rating, and the rating behind it shines.

Announcements:

• G: "The following film has been rated "G" for General Audiences, by the motion picture industry's rating system and is suitable for viewing by your entire family."
• PG: "The following film has been rated "PG" by the motion picture industry's rating system. Parents may consider that some of the program content may be unsuitable for children. Parental guidance is therefore suggested."
• PG-13: "Parents are strongly cautioned to give special guidance for viewing by children under 13. Some material may be inappropriate for young children."
• R: "The following film has been rated "R", restricted, by the motion picture industry's rating system. SHOWTIME recommends that children under 17 view this picture only in the company of an adult."

Variants:

• Sometimes, this text was added to the R variant: "Because of its subject matter, this particular film will be presented by Showtime only after 10:00 (or 11:00) p.m. nine central. (or ten central)"
• On some non rated movies or programs, the Showtime logo of the time appears on the top with text underneath it. The announcements vary.

FX/SFX: A shining effect as the ratings of a certain movie brightens up after getting outlined.

Music/Sounds/Voiceover: A low, deep voiced announcer reading the texts throughout the bumper.

Availability: Same as the previous bumpers.

1987-1990

Bumper: TBA

Announcements:

• G: "Rated G by the Motion Picture Association of America, and is suitable for viewing by your entire family."
• PG: "Rated PG by the Motion Picture Association of America, Parental guidance is suggested."
• PG-13: "Rated PG-13 by the Motion Picture Association of America, Parents may wish to consider whether children under 13 should view this picture."
• R: "Rated R by the Motion Picture Association of America, Parents may wish to consider whether children under 17 should view this picture."

Variants: Sometimes, "Feature" would be replaced by "Familytime," "Exclusive," or "After Hours."

FX/SFX: TBA

Music/Sounds/Voiceover: TBA

Music/Sounds/Voiceover Variants: TBA

Availability: Same as the previous bumpers.

1990-1994

Bumper: TBA

Variants: TBA

FX/SFX: TBA

Music/Sounds: TBA

Availability: Same as the previous bumpers.

1994

Bumper: Same as the previous bumper, except with a different color scheme and a second "viewer discretion" screen following.

FX/SFX: TBA

Music/Sounds/Voiceover: An announcer saying "This movie is rated [RATING]."

Availability: Same as the previous bumpers.

1994-1997

Nickname: "Crisscrossing Spotlights" (for the variant)

Rating Bumper: On a black background, rating information is shown, along with any of these:

• A "TV speech bubble" symbol ("Closed Captioned")
• Headphones ("Stereo")
• The letters "ESP" ("en Español/In Spanish Were Available")

Content Bumper: Underneath the rating, any of the following is shown:

• AC (Adult Content)
• AL (Adult Language)
• BN (Brief Nudity)
• GL (Graphic Language)
• GV (Graphic Violence)
• MV (Mild Violence)
• N (Nudity)
• RP (Rape)
• SC (Strong Sexual Content)
• V (Violence)

TV Ratings: Starting on January 1, 1997, Showtime began to precede its series and specials with bumpers featuring the TV ratings that were adopted by the rest of the industry: "TV-G", "TV-PG", "TV-14" and "TV-M" (later "TV-MA").

Variants: Sometimes, the background would instead depict spotlights crisscrossing and moving around.

FX/SFX: The spotlights on the variant.

Music/Sounds/Voiceover: An announcer (presumably Bill St. James) saying "The following movie is rated [insert rating].", just like the 1989-1994 HBO rating bumper. He even states about how a certain movie contained in the content bumper and says "Viewer discretion advised." at the end.

Music/Sounds/Voiceover Variants: TBA

Availability: Same as the previous bumpers.

1997-2001

Rating Bumper: TBA

• Dolby's "double-D" logo ("Stereo/Surround Sound Where Available")
• The letters "ESP" ("en Español/In Spanish Were Available")

Content Bumper: TBA

• AC (Adult Content)
• AL (Adult Language)
• BN (Brief Nudity)
• GL (Graphic Language)
• GV (Graphic Violence)
• MV (Mild Violence)
• N (Nudity)
• RP (Rape)
• SC (Strong Sexual Content)
• V (Violence)

TV Ratings: TBA

Variants: TBA

FX/SFX: TBA

Music/Sounds/Voiceover: Same as the 1994-1997 bumper.

Availability: Same as the previous bumpers.

2001-2004

Rating Bumper: TBA

• Dolby's "double-D" logo ("Stereo/Surround Sound Where Available)
• The letters "ESP" ("en Español/In Spanish Were Available")

Content Bumper: TBA

• AC (Adult Content)
• AL (Adult Language)
• BN (Brief Nudity)
• GL (Graphic Language)
• GV (Graphic Violence)
• MV (Mild Violence)
• N (Nudity)
• RP (Rape)
• SC (Strong Sexual Content)
• V (Violence)

TV Ratings: TBA

Variants: TBA

FX/SFX: TBA

Music/Sounds/Voiceover: Same as the 10th and 11th bumpers.

Availability: Same as the previous bumpers.

2004-2011

Rating Bumper: TBA

• Dolby's "double-D" logo ("Stereo/Surround Sound Where Available)
• The letters "ESP" ("en Español/In Spanish Were Available")

Content Bumper: TBA

• AC (Adult Content)
• AL (Adult Language)
• BN (Brief Nudity)
• GL (Graphic Language)
• GV (Graphic Violence)
• MV (Mild Violence)
• N (Nudity)
• RP (Rape)
• SC (Strong Sexual Content)
• V (Violence)

TV Ratings: TBA

HDTV Bumper: TBA

Variants: TBA

FX/SFX: TBA

Music/Sounds/Voiceover: TBA

Availability: Same as the previous bumpers.

2011-2022

Bumper: TBA

• CC ("Closed Captioned")
• S ("Stereo")
• Dolby's "double-D" logo ("Stereo/Surround Sound Where Available)
• ESP ("En Español/In Spanish Where Available")

Content Bumper: TBA

• AC (Adult Content)
• AL (Adult Language)
• BN (Brief Nudity)
• GL (Graphic Language)
• GV (Graphic Violence)
• MV (Mild Violence)
• N (Nudity)
• RP (Rape)
• SC (Strong Sexual Content)
• V (Violence)

TV Ratings: TBA

FX/SFX: TBA

Music/Sounds: TBA

Availability: Same as the previous bumpers.

2022-2024

Bumper: TBA

• CC ("Closed Captioned")
• S ("Stereo")
• Dolby's "double-D" logo ("Stereo/Surround Sound Where Available)
• ESP ("In Español/In Spanish Where Available")

Content Bumper: TBA

• AC (Adult Content)
• AL (Adult Language)
• BN (Brief Nudity)
• GL (Graphic Language)
• GV (Graphic Violence)
• MV (Mild Violence)
• N (Nudity)
• RP (Rape)
• SC (Strong Sexual Content)
• V (Violence)

TV Ratings: TBA

FX/SFX: Gretel.

Music/Sounds: TBA

Availability: Same as the previous bumpers.

January 8, 2024-present

Bumper: TBA

• CC ("Closed Captioned")
• S ("Stereo")
• Dolby's "double-D" logo ("Stereo/Surround Sound Where Available)
• ESP ("In Español/In Spanish Where Available")

Content Bumper: TBA

• AC (Adult Content)
• AL (Adult Language)
• BN (Brief Nudity)
• GL (Graphic Language)
• GV (Graphic Violence)
• MV (Mild Violence)
• N (Nudity)
• RP (Rape)
• SC (Strong Sexual Content)
• V (Violence)

TV Ratings: TBA

FX/SFX: The fades.

Music/Sounds: TBA

Availability: Current.