Common Sense Media Recognizes Quality Family Media with Common Sense Seal for TV Honorees
Despite lack of network representation and quality teen content, kids' media shines in addressing important issues
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:
TITLE
NETWORK
AGE
DEBUT DATE
Elena and the Secret of Avalor
Disney Channel
5
7/22/2016
Odd Tube
PBS Kids
5
11/10//2016
Kate in Oz
Disney Junior
3
11/14/2016
Mars
Nat Geo
12
11/14/2016
Lost in Oz
Amazon
6
11/16/2016
Splash and Bubbles
PBS Kids
3
11/23/2016
Wild Kratts: Creatures of the Deep
PBS Kids
7
11/23/2016
An American Girl Story: Maryellen 1955: Extraordinary Christmas
Amazon
8
11/24/2016
Anne of Green Gables
PBS
7
11/24/2016
If You Give a Mouse a Christmas Cookie
Amazon
4
11/24/2016
Once Upon A Sesame Christmas
HBO
4
11/24/2016
The Snowy Day
Amazon
4
11/24/2016
Dolly Parton's Christmas of Many Colors
NBC
7
11/30/2016
The Trans List
HBO
14
12/5/2016
Albert
Nick
5
12/9/2016
Cirque du Soleil: Luna Petunia
Netflix
3
12/9/2016
White Rabbit Project
Netflix
12
12/9/2016
We're Lalaloopsy
Netflix
5
12/10/2016
Trollhunters
Netflix
9
12/23/2016
One Day at a Time
Netflix
12
1/1/2017
One Big Ocean (Splash and Bubbles TV movie)
PBS Kids
3
1/16/2017
Adventure Time: Islands
Cartoon Network
9
1/20/2017
Ronja, the Robber's Daughter
Amazon
7
1/27/2017
Ride
Nick
8
1/30/2017
Gender Revolution
Nat Geo
12
2/6/2017
Nella the Princess Knight
Nick Jr.
3
2/6/2017
Planet Earth II
BBC America
6
2/18/2017
Dinosaur Train: What's at the Center of the Earth
PBS Kids
3
2/20/2017
Legend Quest
Netflix
7
2/24/2017
Veggietales in the City
Netflix
5
2/24/2017
Tangled: Before Ever After
Disney Channel
5
3/10/2017
Julie's Greenroom
Netflix
4
3/17/2017
An American Girl Story: Ivy & Julie: A Happy Balance
Amazon
8
3/24/2017
Tangled
Disney Channel
5
3/24/2017
Andi Mack
Disney Channel
10
4/7/2017
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 /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:
Michelle Hernandez, 415-553-6797
[email protected]
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