Canada’s broadcast regulator, the CRTC, has set this September as the deadline for broadcasters to launch a rating system based on the V-chip that will help parents block out undesirable television programming.

As of that date, Canadian programmers will be responsible for encoding programs so that broadcasts can activate V-chips.

The CRTC has also set September 1996 as the date when cable companies must be prepared to provide V-chip technology to those subscribers who want it.

And by January 1997, Canadian cable companies will have to ensure that foreign signals that they distribute are also encoded.

The V-chip, which allows parents to block out programming according to a rating system based on levels of violence, language and sexuality, has been in field trials in Canada for more than a year.