LOS ANGELES (AP) — A new study says that violent dramas on the broadcast networks carry milder cautions than cable shows that are equal in gore.

The Parents Television Council study released Monday says that graphic violence on network series invariably received a TV-14 label, or “parents strongly cautioned.”

But similar fare on cable shows typically was given the most stringent label, TV-MA for mature audiences only.

Episode ratings are decided by networks and cable channels, similar to how the movie studios’ Motion Picture Association of America self-governs by issuing its own movie ratings.

The board that oversees TV ratings uniformity defended the system as a “valuable resource” for parents.