CAB classifications

Every commercial approved by CAB is awarded a classification or rating. These classifications determine what time of day the ad may be broadcast. For example, a commercial with an AO rating cannot be broadcast before 8:30pm.

  
        Rating
        Definition
      
        G
        
          General

          May be broadcast at any time. Note that food and beverage products advertising cannot be awarded a G rating.
          The equivalent classification for food and beverage advertising is a CF.
        
        CF
        
          Children’s Food

          An advertisement for food or beverages that may be broadcast at any time, including during programmes intended
          specifically for children aged 5–13 years old.
        
        GXC
        
          General Except Children’s Programmes

          May be broadcast at any time except during programmes which are intended specifically for children under the age of 13.
        
        M
        
          Mature (Parental Guidance Required)

          May be broadcast after 7.30pm or during news programmes, or daytime programmes suited for mature audiences but not
          necessarily unsuitable for child viewers when subject to the guidance of a parent or an adult.
        
        AO
        
          Adults Only

          May be broadcast after 8.30pm (or during adults only daytime programmes).
        
        GAA
        
          General Alcohol Adult

          May be broadcast at any time except during programmes which are intended specifically for children or young people
          under the age at which they can legally purchase alcohol.
        
        L830
        
          Alcohol Advertising

          May be broadcast only between the hours of 8:30pm and 6am.
        
        S
        
          Special Restrictions

          May be broadcast after the time specified until the end of the night’s adult programming, for example, an S9
          may only be broadcast after 9pm.

Rating	Definition
G	General May be broadcast at any time. Note that food and beverage products advertising cannot be awarded a G rating. The equivalent classification for food and beverage advertising is a CF.
CF	Children’s Food An advertisement for food or beverages that may be broadcast at any time, including during programmes intended specifically for children aged 5–13 years old.
GXC	General Except Children’s Programmes May be broadcast at any time except during programmes which are intended specifically for children under the age of 13.
M	Mature (Parental Guidance Required) May be broadcast after 7.30pm or during news programmes, or daytime programmes suited for mature audiences but not necessarily unsuitable for child viewers when subject to the guidance of a parent or an adult.
AO	Adults Only May be broadcast after 8.30pm (or during adults only daytime programmes).
GAA	General Alcohol Adult May be broadcast at any time except during programmes which are intended specifically for children or young people under the age at which they can legally purchase alcohol.
L830	Alcohol Advertising May be broadcast only between the hours of 8:30pm and 6am.
S	Special Restrictions May be broadcast after the time specified until the end of the night’s adult programming, for example, an S9 may only be broadcast after 9pm.

CAB classifications

Commercial Approvals Bureau