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AD for Film and TV

How To Access AD

On Television

There is no single standardized method for receiving description, but most systems rely on the Second Audio Program (SAP). Unfortunately, there is sometimes a conflict between audio description and Spanish, both of which might use the SAP, but cannot do so at the same time.

Cable or Satellite Service: Using the cable or satellite remote (not the TV remote), find the audio menu and choose SAP, MTS, or Audio.

TV with an Antenna: On the TV remote, the audio description button might be labeled SAP (Second Audio Program), MTS (Multichannel Television Sound), Secondary Audio, or maybe even Spanish, Español, or Portuguese. It might be active only for described shows. Televisions manufactured after December 2016 are required to include an audio guide to assist users through the remote control’s menu.

On a Recording Device (DVR)

Generally, it is not necessary to turn on the secondary audio channel when recording on a DVR or TiVo device. Older devices might function differently, so ask your cable provider for a newer device if you encounter problems. Note that some cable boxes reset the SAP option after showing a recording, while others do not.

On a Streaming Service

There is not a standard method for accessing audio description on a streaming service. Typically, AD is enabled through Settings. On some services, once AD has been turned on, it will stay on, but with others, it will need to be turned on each time a new title is viewed.

At a Movie Theater

Audio description in movie theaters is usually provided through headsets that the patron borrows free of charge. Some headsets feed the sound of the movie through one earpiece and the audio description track through the other, in which case users can adjust the volume of each earpiece separately.

On the Spectrum Access App

Spectrum Access: Enabled Media is a free app for iOS and Android devices that provides audio description tracks for a growing number of movies and TV series. The app is available to everyone, not just Spectrum customers, and no log-in is required. Through the app, users can access audio description tracks on their own devices. The tracks sync with the film being played through a streaming service or television, allowing users to listen to the AD privately if desired. Search the ADP’s list of titles with AD to discover what shows are available on Spectrum Access.

For additional details, listen to an ADNA Presents podcast episode with Spectrum Access representatives.

What To Do When AD Isn’t Available

On Television

If you are having trouble receiving audio description from a broadcast network (e.g., NBC, CBS, ABC, or Fox), contact the local affiliate first. If you are having trouble receiving audio description from a non-broadcast network (e.g., USA, Hallmark, HBO), contact your cable or satellite provider. Access the FAQ page for contact information for many networks.

Search the Video Programming Distributor (VPD) database for contact information to report audio description problems and to file complaints with distributors of video programming on television. This database has two contacts per provider: (1) a contact for an immediate response when reporting concerns/issues with audio description, and (2) a contact for filing a complaint.

If contacting the station or the provider does not resolve the issue, you can file a complaint with the FCC's Disability Rights Office. You’ll need to provide the following information:

  • Your name, address, contact information, and preferred method of response
  • The channel number, name, network, or call sign, and, if applicable, the name of your TV provider
  • The date and time when the audio description problem occurred, the name of the program with the audio description problem, and a detailed description of the audio description problem
  • Any additional information that might assist in processing your complaint (such as recordings of the audio description problem or a written explanation of the problem).

FCC contact information:

On a Streaming Service

Many streaming services have customer service agents dedicated to resolving accessibility issues. Phone numbers, email addresses, and webpages can generally be found through an internet search. Some links are listed on our FAQ page.

At a Movie Theater

Notify the staff and/or management.

Networks, Streaming, and AD

Many networks also support streaming platforms (or additional networks), so that content broadcast on one network or platform might also be available elsewhere. Below is a brief summary of major networks and their associated services.

ABC (broadcast; AD mandated)

ABC is owned by Disney. Most ABC shows are also available on Hulu and abc.com.

CBS (broadcast; AD mandated)

CBS is owned by Paramount. Shows, with AD when available, can be accessed on the free CBS app or through a subscription to Paramount+..

Cartoon Network (non-broadcast; AD not mandated)

Owned by Warner Bros. Discovery. AD is available on some shows, but the ADP does not have access to the schedule.

Discovery (non-broadcast; AD not mandated)

Owned by Warner Bros. Discovery. Access the TV Listings page for details on specific shows and air dates.

E! (non-broadcast; AD not mandated)

Owned by NBCUniversal. Access the TV Listings page for details on specific shows and air dates.

Fox (broadcast; AD mandated)

Some Fox series are available on Hulu.

FXX (non-broadcast; AD not mandated)

Owned by the Walt Disney Company through FX Networks. It is the partner channel of FX. AD is available on some shows, but the ADP does not have access to the schedule.

Hallmark (non-broadcast; AD mandated)

Hallmark Family (non-broadcast; AD not mandated)

Hallmark Mystery (non-broadcast; AD not mandated)

The Hallmark Channel can be accessed on cable or fee streaming services such as YouTube TV (supports AD on Hallmark), DirecTV Stream (may not support AD on Hallmark), and Sling TV (extra charge); fubuTV, Philo, and frndly do not pass through description. Hallmark offers a complete listing of audio described content on all three Hallmark Channels on their website.

HGTV (non-broadcast; AD mandated)

Owned by Warner Bros. Discovery. Access the TV Listings page for details on specific shows and air dates.

History (non-broadcast; AD not mandated)

Owned by the Walt Disney Company and Hearst Media. Access the TV Listings page for details on specific shows and air dates.

NBC (broadcast; AD mandated)

Current NBC series usually can be streamed the next day on Peacock and possibly on nbc.com. Access the TV Listings page for details on specific shows and air dates.

Nickelodeon (non-broadcast; AD not mandated)

Owned by Paramount Global. The ADP does not have access to the schedule. In 2024, Paramount Global partnered with the Described and Captioned Media Program (DCMP) to make many shows available on the DCMP platform. Access the press release for details.

PBS (broadcast; AD not mandated)

The Public Broadcasting Service (PBS) was the first provider of audio description on television, and they continue to broadcast more hours of audio described programming than any other broadcast network. Because each PBS affiliate controls its own schedule, the ADP does not have access to air dates and times. Many PBS shows are available to stream on PBS.org; access the catalog here.

SYFY (non-broadcast; AD not mandated)

Owned by NBCUniversal. The ADP does not have access to the schedule.

TBS (non-broadcast; AD mandated)

Owned by Warner Bros. Discovery. Most shows are re-runs, and AD might not be available for all episodes in a season, nor all seasons of a series. Access the TV Listings page for details on specific shows and air dates.

Telemundo (broadcast; AD not mandated)

Owned by NBCUniversal. All audio description is in Spanish.

The CW (broadcast; AD not mandated)

Jointly owned by Nexstar, Paramount, and Warner Bros. Discovery. The ADP does not have access to the schedule.

TLC (non-broadcast; AD mandated)

Owned by Warner Bros. Discovery. Content is usually also available on fee-based streaming services like Sling TV, fuboTV, Philo, Hulu with Live TV, and YouTube TV.

TNT (non-broadcast; AD mandated)

Owned by Warner Bros. Discovery. Most shows are re-runs, and AD might not be available for all episodes in a season, nor all seasons of a series. Access the TV Listings page for details on specific shows and air dates.

truTV (non-broadcast; AD not mandated)

Owned by Warner Bros. Discovery. Access the TV Listings page for details on specific shows and air dates.

USA (non-broadcast; AD not mandated)

Owned by NBCUniversal. Access the TV Listings page for details on specific shows and air dates.

How Audio Description Is Created for Recorded Media

Typically, multiple entities are involved in the creation and distribution of audio description.

1. First, the studio responsible for the media (the film or TV show) must commit to provide audio description (visit our Legislation page to learn about policies and legal requirements). Sometimes, even if the original studio does not commission audio description, a delivery vendor, such as a TV network or streaming service, will create AD for shows they pick up from other sources to broadcast themselves.

Though some studios create and record AD in-house, most contract with people and/or companies that specialize in writing, voicing, editing, and sound engineering audio description tracks (visit our AD Professionals Directory if you’re looking for help creating audio description).

The studio also decides whether the AD track should be distributed in Dolby Atmos, 5.1 surround, stereo, or mono mix. Historically, TV studios have tended to choose mono, while DVDs and many streaming services provide stereo. The ADP continues to advocate for the highest sound quality.

2. After the commitment to AD has been made, the audio description writer gets to work. The AD writer watches the film or TV show and creates a script for the narrator to record. The writer must identify the crucial visual elements and describe them accurately and succinctly. The descriptions need to be as brief as possible in order to fit seamlessly in between dialogue and sound effects, while providing vivid details that bring the events to life. For example, if a character is walking down a street, the writer might choose a more evocative word to describe the way the character moves, such as strolls, ambles, wanders, strides, or slinks. It can take a writer 30-60 minutes to create a script for five minutes of program material.

The writer’s final script includes timestamp information so the voice talent and engineer know exactly when each line of description should be heard.

3. Once the script has been written and approved, it’s delivered to the voice talent for recording. Sometimes the writer also does the narration, but usually these tasks are performed by different people. A sound engineer and/or director might be present, either in-person or via a video conference platform, to assist, monitor, and provide immediate feedback. Usually, only one narrator is used, but more voices might be needed; for example, if the film contains subtitles, one narrator might voice the descriptions and another would read the subtitles.

Just as the AD script writer must craft evocative and appropriate descriptions, the narrator considers the action and mood of a scene when recording the words. Generally, narrators are expected to match their voices to what’s happening on the screen, but not overshadowing it. We wouldn’t want someone to sound bored while describing an exciting chase scene, but neither would we want an enthusiastic narrator to distract us from the plot of the film.

4. Sound engineers can have multiple responsibilities. They might assist with the recording of the AD script, and they likely edit the recording to remove any unwanted noises and perhaps speed up the voice when the description needs to fit within a short space of time. The engineer will also ensure the AD is placed at the correct timestamps. A quality control specialist might also be asked to evaluate the final product and do a “proof listen” to ensure the AD script is accurate, recorded correctly, and placed at the appropriate times.

5. Now that the audio description track is complete, it needs to be distributed so it can be accessed by users. The process differs depending on the kind of media:

Cinema / movie theaters: The AD track is included in the Digital Cinema Package (DCP) that studios send to theaters.

DVD or Blu-ray: The AD track is included in the Audio language menu.

TV network: Networks pass the AD track to their local affiliates via the Second Audio Program (SAP) audio channel, and the local affiliates deliver this directly to homes and connected cable or satellite services.

Streaming services: The streaming service must either acquire the AD track from the studio or create the audio description themselves. Unfortunately, AD tracks aren’t consistently delivered with the film or show, so a movie that had AD in the theaters might not have it on a streaming service. This is something the ADP is advocating to change.

6. Finally, the user must turn on the audio description. Access the sections above for guidance on getting AD on your TV and streaming service and at the cinema.