Films delivered for distribution in New Zealand need an age-rating classification from the Film and Video Labeling Body (FVLB). The FVLB’s website is https://www.fvlb.org.nz. Note: The consumer advisories must specifically cover online distribution. A label issued for DVD distribution only is not sufficient. For the FVLB to issue a label for a film, the film must be reviewed and classified by the New Zealand Office of Film and Literature Classification, or have been given an unrestricted classification in Australia or the UK. For more information on the classification and labeling process, contact the FVLB at enquiries@fvlb.org.nz
In addition to the age-rating classification, the FVLB issues consumer advisories specific to each film. It is a legal requirement that the consumer advisories are displayed in the Apple TV app.
Submit the advisories to Apple using iTunes Connect or XML.
Example: If a film is issued with the following label by the FVLB: R16 Offensive language, sexual themes, and content that may disturb:
In iTunes Connect, select the rating R16. For the Advisory field, select the following: L Offensive Language (L), ST Sexual Themes (ST), and DIS Content that may disturb (DIS).
In XML, deliver the rating and advisories with the <rating> and <advisory> tags:
<ratings> <rating system="nz-oflc" code="R16"/> <advisory system="nz-oflc" code="L"/> <advisory system="nz-oflc" code="ST"/> <advisory system="nz-oflc" code="DIS"/> </ratings>The following list shows the consumer advisories and codes used in the ratings system "nz-oflc". Select all relevant advisories from this list.
Note: If a film’s advisories are represented by the items in this list, then the reason attribute on the <rating> tag is optional. For information not shown in this list, use the reason attribute to provide the information in a comma-separated values format.
Example: If a film is issued with the following label by the FVLB: R13 Deals with euthanasia. Contains offensive language & violence:
In iTunes Connect, select the rating R13. For the Rating Reason field, insert “Deals with euthanasia.” For the Advisory field, select the following: L Offensive Language (L) and V Violence (V).
In XML, deliver the rating and advisories with the <rating> and <advisory> tags:
<ratings> <rating system="nz-oflc" reason="Deals with euthanasia" code="R13"/> <advisory system="nz-oflc" code="L"/> <advisory system="nz-oflc" code="V"/> </ratings>AC — Animal cruelty | DV — Domestic violence | SI — Sexualised imagery |
AT — Adult themes | GV — Graphic violence | SNT — Supernatural themes |
BU — Bullying | H — Horror | SR — Sexual references |
BV — Bloody violence | L — Offensive language | SS — Scary scenes |
C — Cruelty | MS — Mass shooting | ST — Sexual themes |
CL — Coarse language | N — Nudity | SU — Suicide |
D — Drug references | PPS — Photo pattern sensitivity | SUT — Suicide themes |
DB — Dangerous behaviour | R — Rape | SV — Sexual Violence |
DI — Discrimination | S — Explicit sex scenes | SVT — Sexual violence themes |
DIS — Content that may disturb | SC — Sex scenes | V — Violence |
DU — Drug use | SH — Self-harm | WD — Wound detail |
New Zealand - “Not Rated”: To both ensure compliance with legal requirements in New Zealand, as well as to provide optimal guidance for Apple customers, the existing Not Rated option is no longer supported for New Zealand. All titles, including all documentaries and educational or other content, must be classified by the FVLB and rated accordingly.