Apparatus and method for parental control using v-chip plus+ and master password

A method of exercising access control over a media asset based on a blocking criterion and an unblocking criterion, the method comprising:

• receiving, using control circuitry, a first code associated with a rating of the media asset and a second code associated with content of the media asset;
• blocking the media asset, using the control circuitry, if the first code satisfies the blocking criterion;
• overriding, using the control circuitry, the blocking of the media asset if the second code satisfies the unblocking criterion, wherein the second code is associated with the content of the media asset without specifically identifying the media asset;
• and
• permitting, using the control circuitry and without requiring a password, access to the media asset.

A system for exercising access control over a media asset based on a blocking criterion and an unblocking criterion, the system comprising:

• control circuitry configured to:
• receive a first code associated with a rating of the media asset and a second code associated with content of the media asset;
• and
• access control circuitry configured to:
• block the media asset if the first code satisfies the blocking criterion;
• override the blocking of the media asset if the second code satisfies the unblocking criterion, wherein the second code is associated with the content of the media asset without specifically identifying the media asset;
• and
• permit, without requiring a password, access to the media asset.