San Francisco -- Common Sense, the nation's leading nonprofit organization dedicated to helping kids thrive in a world of media and technology, is announcing the winter edition of the Common Sense Seal for TV honorees. This honor aims to recognize standout new TV series and specials that offer exceptional media experiences for families to learn from and enjoy together.

Common Sense Media reviewed 224 television series and specials that premiered between November 2016 and April 2017 and identified 35 that met the criteria for receiving the Common Sense Seal. These 35 honorees not only meet Common Sense Media's highest editorial standards for entertainment value and engagement but also deliver important themes, messages, and role models.

Of the 35 Seal honorees, the majority (14) are aimed at kids age 5–7, with 10 each for the preschool (age 3–4) and tween (age 8–12) brackets. Only one honoree, The Trans List (HBO), is aimed at teen TV viewers.

"Common Sense advocates for a healthy, balanced approach to media in families' lives, and that should include watching fun, engaging television," said James P. Steyer, CEO and founder of Common Sense. "We're pleased to honor these TV series and specials with the Common Sense Seal and encourage the creative community to produce even more shows that families can bond over."

One notable theme, particularly on the shows for tweens and teens, is an increase in diverse characters and plotlines. Of the 11 honorees in this bracket, over half feature racially diverse, female, or LGBTQ leads, and all celebrate everyone's differences.

Network representation is at its lowest since the Common Sense Seal for TV program began in October 2015. Only one major network, NBC, earned a Seal in this period, while Netflix, Amazon, and PBS received the most, with eight, six, and six respectively.

The Common Sense Seal for TV honorees are:

About the Common Sense Seal
Seal selections are determined by Common Sense Media's in-house team of seasoned reviewers, editors, and child-development experts based on the proven rubric for independent, age-based ratings deployed across more than 27,000 reviews of movies, TV shows, and other media since Common Sense was founded in 2003. The TV Seal will be given to a select number of titles each spring and fall. The Common Sense Seal for TV is an expansion of the Common Sense Seal initiative, which launched in October 2014 with a Seal for movies and has honored 83 films to date. More information is available at https://www.commonsensemedia.org/seal.

About Common Sense
Common Sense is the nation's leading independent nonprofit organization dedicated to creating a powerful voice for kids and families in the 21st century. Millions of families, educators, and policymakers turn to Common Sense every day to access our independent rating systems, unbiased research, and trusted tools and advice that help them navigate a rapidly changing digital landscape at home and at school. Learn more at commonsense.org.

Press contact:
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