Streaming Video Services Offering Audio Description

While ABC used to offer an app, it is being discontinued on September 23. Generally (but not always), if an ABC show offers audio description, you should be able to find the described version at abc.com.

AMC+ is a service that brings together content from across AMC Networks' brands, including AMC, Shudder, Sundance Now, and IFC Films, along with other select AMC programming. There are various subscription options through a variety of services. We know that IFC Films produces AD tracks for many of its newer videos, and folks have indicated they wish Shudder offered AD (it doesn't); so we have been hopeful that they would offer audio description. Apparently, starting in September 2022, they do, even if in very limited form. Since we know they offer something, we have moved them up in our listing, but we know very little at this time. Probably the only "safe" way to get AD is to order directly from AMC and use their app. In Jan '23, MacTheMovieGuy summarized the situation on 12/31/22 as follows: "They have almost no audio description, but in my initial conversations with their customer service reps, I was told they were expanding their audio description offerings, and would be revamping the app to make it work better with screen readers. Neither of those things has happened. Their big new movie releases seem to always lack audio description, and I've given some of their shows a chance, and it seems to me audio description is not a priority." If you subscribe to AMC+ via Prime Video, you will find more of their shows described that way than via the App directly, because Prime Video sometimes supplies the AD.

The Apple TV app (as described by Apple) is: "Apple Original shows and movies from Apple TV+. Just the premium channels you want. Thousands of movies to buy or rent. Popular streaming services and cable TV providers ... all in the Apple TV app. On all your screens. It’s the ultimate way to watch TV." "Customers can subscribe to Apple TV channels within the Apple TV app - paying for only the ones they want - and watch on demand directly in the app. Subscribers can watch and download shows and movies both online and offline. Through Family Sharing, up to six family members can share subscriptions to Apple TV channels using just their Apple ID and password." For more information about how to find audio-described content, please visit https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT205742. Note that THIS app is how you get to Apple TV+ (below).

Apple TV+, "the first all-original video subscription service," is available via the Apple TV app. The present cost is $10/month (3 months free with purchase of Apple device). According to Apple when announced, Apple TV+ is the "new home for the world's most creative storytellers featuring exclusive original shows, movies and documentaries. It [features] a brand new slate of programming from the world's most celebrated creative artists, including Oprah Winfrey, Steven Spielberg, Jennifer Aniston, Reese Witherspoon, Octavia Spencer, J.J. Abrams, ... and more." Almost all original content is audio described in nine languages! With over 20 million subscribers and 5% of the streaming market*, they currently offer over 200 titles; see Apple TV+ Described Videos. Trailers for Apple TV+ content are described in the Apple TV app. NOTE: the (subscription) Apple TV+ is accessed via the (free) Apple TV app. Some Verizon Unlimited Data customers receive a free subscription to Apple TV+. The details may vary from time to time.

In 1Q23, Apple TV+ began offering some older movies under the moniker "Apple TV+ Bonus" titles. Not all of them contain AD tracks.

In March 2022 Apple announced that they had secured rights for a Friday-night package of Major League Baseball games, about 50/year. In November 2021, the ACB honored Apple with an "Audio Description Game Changer" award.

The new CBS app (which you need to download from your device's App Store - there is no central link) completely replaced the former CBS app which migrated itself to become Paramount+ in March 2021. It offers audio description for shows which are described on the CBS television network. These shows are available to everyone for free for 28 days after release and longer if you sign in via a content provider sign in (like a cable TV network). You can trigger AD from a menu on the upper right of the screen.

The free Channels app takes input from an antenna and/or a cable fed to an HDHomeRun tuner ($100 to $250) which in turn connects to your router; then you can use the app on various devices to control and watch channels. An optional subscription service gives you access to a virtual DVR with all the usual options. Audio Description is supported. Read our review of the Channels app and HDHomeRun Tuner.

CuriousityStream is "where viewers can journey through our world and beyond with thousands of documentary features and series ... stunning visuals and unrivaled storytelling to demystify science, technology, history and nature." $40/year. As of January 2024, they have 4 described videos (view their current list of AD titles), all series.

AT&T's streaming service, rolled out in the fall of 2019, is DirecTV Stream. Previous names were AT&T TV, DirecTV, U-Verse TV, AT&T Now, and AT&T Watch TV. Pricing starts at $75/month. You can use your own streaming media device, or for an extra fee use their set-top box running Android and Talk Back for their talking interface. The included cloud DVR does record AD (but has limited capacity and retention time limits unless you pay $10 more). The customer service number is reportedly 888-388-4249.

In April, 2023, Dave G wrote: "I'm on Direct Streaming and have never received Audio Description on ABC from Direct." In June 2023 he reported that the service doesn't work properly with Apple TV, a known problem. We rely upon user input for more information! Please tell us your experience.

(User Reported) To access AD on DirecTV Stream app using an iPhone, do the following:
1. Launch the app and flick right until you hear the word Video.
2. Perform a double tap.
3. Next, flick right to Audio and Closed Captions and double tap.
4. Next, double tap on Alternate. The audio will immediately switch to the SAP Channel.
5. Then flick right to the Done button to close the dialog.

discovery+ (whose name begins with a lowercase "d") debuted in the U.S. on January 4, 2021 as "the definitive non-fiction, real life subscription streaming service." Originally owned by Discovery Communications, it is now owned by Warner Bros. Discovery. They offer a huge library of programming from 14 partner networks including HGTV, Food Network, TLC, ID, OWN, Travel Channel, Discovery Channel, and Animal Planet. See the note about merging with (HBO) Max in the Max entry below, as you can only watch described discovery+ shows on Max..

In October 2021, they initiated a grand total of two audio described titles (one withdrawn now) noted to the right -- but you have to know where to find them! They are separate videos in the "Extras" category of the two main titles. We link to them directly in our Other Media navigation link. Let us know if you find more.

Disney+ has been available on almost every streaming device in the USA and Canada since November 2019 with a focus on family-friendly shows and movies from Disney, Pixar, Marvel, Lucasfilm (the Star Wars franchise), and National Geographic. You will find over 1200 titles in our list of Disney+ Audio Described Titles. In December 2023, Disney fulfilled its planned commitment to buy Comcast's minority share in Hulu. As little as $1 more per month brings essentially all Hulu content to the Disney+ app. See all Disney Pricing Options. Note, however, that Streaming Disney+ Basic (With Ads) is not currently available on Roku devices or the Microsoft Windows Desktop app.

As of 3Q 2024, Disney+ had about 55 million subscribers in the USA. In 2023, one source* reported they have 13% of the streaming market (24% if you include Hulu). Disney was the recipient of the ADP's 2020 Achievement in Audio Description – Media award, specifically for having 300 titles audio described on day 1 of the new service and expanding rapidly from there.

A Disney / Hulu / Max bundle is available through any of the 3 services.

Fandango at Home (formerly Vudu) was originally owned by Walmart but sold to Fandango Media (owned jointly by NBCUniversal and Warner Bros Discovery). It offers movies (some free) for rental or sale on a variety of devices. In June 2022 they began offering a limited number of movies with audio description and now offer over 350 titles. See our alphabetized list of Fandango Audio Described Titles.

freevee offers FREE movies and TV series (with ads), SOME of which are audio described. You can access it via a web browser or via an app using an Amazon Fire product, Roku device, iOS device, Android device, or via the Prime Video app freevee section. Many titles have AD (around 250 titles currently) and are listed at the bottom of our Prime Video AD page.

frndly TV is a family-friendly streaming service with 40+ channels including 3 Hallmark channels, plus History, Lifetime, A&E, CuriousityStream, and the Weather Channel for $7 per month ($2 more for a DVR). They now support audio description on select channels, including Hallmark and History. This is a live TV service, not on-demand streamed content except as provided by some of their networks. In November, 2023, a user reported difficulty using frndly with VoiceView on FireTV.

Google Play Movies (officially part of Google TV and also known as the Google Play Store) is an online video on demand service operated by Google. The service offers movies and television shows for purchase or rental, depending on availability (but the TV shows don't carry AD tracks as far as we know). Since June 2021 we have been listing Google Play movie titles on the ADP Website, where they currently list (but offer more than) 100 audio described titles.

Hulu (available only in the USA and owned by Disney) offers an upgrade to Hulu + Live, but the Live portion does not support audio description, though it includes Disney+ and ESPN+. Regular Hulu also offers a bundle with the Disney+ and ESPN+ services. See all Hulu Pricing Plans. Hulu has 51 million subscribers as of 3Q24, 11%* of the market, and currently offers over 500 titles with audio description; see Hulu Audio Described Titles. In December 2023, Disney fulfilled its planned commitment to buy Comcast's minority share in Hulu, and essentially all Hulu content is available via the Disney+ app for as little as an extra $1/month.

A Disney / Hulu / Max bundle is available through any of the 3 services.

Apple's iTunes (which is being replaced on iOS devices by the Apple TV app and is not the same as Apple TV+) offers over 2200 movies with audio description tracks for rent (streaming) or purchase (downloading). They are designated with the icon after the movie title in the description. To find audio described content on iTunes on a PC or Mac, open iTunes, go to Store, select Movies (Ctrl-2 on a PC, Command-2 on a Mac), and click "Movies with Audio Descriptions" in the Movies Quick Links, which is on the side in a PC or Mac browser. If you have a Safari browser, you can click this iTunes AD link. You may also check individual movies of interest, or see our alphabetized list of iTunes Audio Described Titles. Also see: How to Rent a Movie from iTunes.

MagellanTV is a streaming service billed as "Documentaries Worth Watching." A subscription is $5/month when paid annually, but you can sample any title for 5 minutes free*. They have 3000+ titles, and they now support audio description for some of their titles. Over 15 titles are audio described. See our alphabetized list of MagellanTV Audio Described Titles, or see the list on their website by scrolling to the bottom of their list of titles at https://www.magellantv.com/featured to view the category Audio Described. (* When sampling, you can click the sound icon and select "English Descriptive.")

Max began operation on May 23, 2023 and is available globally in over 70 markets. It is the merger of the former HBO Max and discovery+ streaming services, both owned by Warner Bros. Discovery. Max has 103M subscribers as of June 2024. You can view our list of over 1000 Max Audio Described Titles. The streaming service features WarnerMedia films and television shows and includes content from properties like HBO, DC, TNT, TBS, truTV, The CW, Adult Swim, Crunchyroll, the former Rooster Teeth and Cartoon Networks, and now (October 2024) the entire contents of the previous Boomerang cartoon streaming service, plus original programming (some released weekly, not all at once); and it now includes discovery+ programming from HGTV, Food Network, TLC, ID, OWN, Travel Channel, Discovery Channel, and Animal Planet. Some offerings run simultaneously with first-run cinema release. Max is offered at no extra charge to AT&T and Charter customer subscribers who already pay for HBO or who subscribe to the AT&T Internet 1000 Plan. It is also available on basically all media devices. A Disney / Hulu / Max bundle is available through any of the 3 services for $17 or $30 (ad free) per month.

MGM+ (formerly Epix until January 15, 2023) is a $6/month streaming app which can also be purchased as a streaming app or through Amazon Prime Video or Apple TV. It is now owned by Amazon, who, in capitalizing on the brand name MGM, is reportedly positioning MGM+ as a sister service to Prime Video and freevee. The channel's programming consists of recent and older theatrically released motion pictures, original television series, documentaries, and music and comedy specials. We have recently (August 2023) learned that they now offer some titles with AD (thank you Mac the Movie Guy!), and we are working on learning more information. Known titles are listed to the right. At this point, however, it would appear they only offer AD when your subcription is purchased through Amazon Prime.

The dominant provider of streaming video with audio description with over 282 million subscribers worldwide as of 3Q24 and 23%* of the USA market is Netflix, a subscription service available in nearly 200 countries (see Netflix Pricing). They offer over 2500 audio described TV series, documentaries, original programming, and children's shows in the USA. Once a member, you can find a link labeled "Audio Description" at the bottom of the main page when viewed via a web browser, or in a menu on other devices, or you can see our alphabetized list of Netflix Audio Described Titles anytime. See our page Audio Description via Netflix for more information. Read: Getting Started with Netflix for People with Visual Impairments. (AFB Feb '21) Netflix was the recipient of the ADP's 2015 Achievement in Audio Description – Media award, as well as the AFB's 2017 Helen Keller Achievement Award. In November 2021, the ACB honored Netflix with an "Audio Description Game Changer" award, and in November 2023, the "Audio Description Game Changer - Innovation" award, specifically for the large number of titles available in non-English AD.

Paramount+ (the successor to the original CBS All Access app) offers access to over 45,000 movies and TV episodes via on-demand programming from CBS, MTV, BET, Comedy Central, and other Paramount (formerly ViacomCBS) channels and brands, plus movies from the Paramount Pictures studio, and live NFL sports. Local live content is also currently available in select markets. There is a fee for service ($8/month ad-supported or $13/month ad-free with Showtime). They currently offer around 450 shows with audio description; see our list of Paramount+ Audio Described Titles. Streaming devices supported include Fire devices, Roku, Chromecast, Apple TV (V4 and up), iOS and Android devices, and some streaming services like Prime Video. They also support AD via various browsers. A user says that for Apple TV: "When playing a show, swipe down for a menu: info, closed captions, and audio. Go to audio, then languages. If AD is available, it’ll be there." Other devices work similarly, except on an iPhone, the Audio Description option under Accessibility Settings is the only control. As of October 2023, they had 63 million subscribers. Showtime programming also has audio description and is now only available via Paramount+, not a separate app. In January 2024, the cable service offering Showtime will supposedly be renamed Paramount+ with Showtime, but is not expected to offer description.

The PBS app is available for select platforms like Windows 10, iOS, and others. They offer access to local and national shows on demand. The app by itself offers little Audio Description. However, if you are a sustaining member of your local PBS station, you get access to a feature called Passport, which means you have access to additional shows. Within that group of shows, a few more do have audio description. Check our list of described PBS shows that we know about. Please send us any additional titles you find...

NBCUniversal (a subsidiary of Comcast) began offering audio description on its streaming service named Peacock in June 2021. They offer over 300 audio described programs; see our listing of Peacock Audio Described Titles. Pricing is: (1) a $5 per month option with limited ads; or (2) an ad-free tier for $10 per month. (The Free Tier was dropped in February 2023.) It has 34 million paying USA subscribers (as of May '24). They offer films from Universal Pictures, Focus Features, DreamWorks Animation, Illumination, and other major studios, plus original series, news, sports, late-night, and reality, some of which (like Jimmy Fallon) are presented earlier than on TV. CNBC Article.

Philo is a low-cost subscription streaming service offering 70+ channels for $25 per month including DVR. Networks include Hallmark, HGTV, History, Discovery, and Nickelodeon. According their accessibility help center page, audio description IS available for select networks (Hallmark, Hallmark Drama, Hallmark Movies & Mysteries, History Channel, HGTV, and TLC). You have to select audio description on your settings page first.

Plex is a free streaming service that offers thousands of movies for free (plus live TV) on many streaming devices. See their Audio Description Support page. They also offer some fee rentals, and they DO offer audio description on a limited number of movies (but not on TV). They have two separate lists of described titles online: Free (ad-supported) Titles and Fee Rental Titles. We combine both lists on our Plex Audio Described Titles page.

Pluto TV (owned by Paramount Global) "... is the leading free streaming television service delivering hundreds of live linear channels and thousands of titles on-demand." They have 80 million active users as of March 2023. In August 2023, they started to offer audio description of some movies and series, but the series options are extremely limited in terms of the number of episodes. Pluto TV currently has 50+ titles with AD. Titles are available on iOS, Android Mobile, and the web. See our alphabetized list of Pluto TV Audio Described Titles, or see their list of audio described titles on the Pluto TV website.

The Pornhub website provides a subset of their adult videos in a category named "Described Video." Further information is available in this article in the SFO Guardian.

Amazon began offering audio described videos in June 2017, and they call their service Prime Video, available to the over 200 million Prime subscribers. They offer more described programming than any other service and show no sign of slowing down! Currently, there are the #2 service at 19%* of the market. They offer over 5000 movies and Amazon-produced TV shows with audio description tracks, with multiple viewing devices supported including all the "Fire" products. Some of the programming is available free to Amazon Prime members, while the majority of it requires a payment for either online streaming or downloading. For access information and title listing, see our page Prime Video Audio Described Titles, or go directly to the Amazon AD Video page for title selection. (NOTE: You may find that our own page contains a more current listing than Amazon's and is easier to use ...)

The Roku Channel is a free ad-supported streaming service available to everyone. As of June 2024, they are offering a limited number of audio described series and movies, in particular their Originals. The service is available on multiple devices. See our Roku Channel Audio Described Titles page.

Showtime, owned by Paramount, is no longer marketed as a separate streaming service. You get all Showtime programming now via the Paramount+ app for an additional $2/month. The Showtime app (Showtime Now, for cable customers who pay for Showtime) shut down on December 14, 2023. And on January 8, 2024, the Showtime TV network will be renamed Paramount+ with Showtime, although we have no reason to believe it will offer described programming.

Vimeo is a free streaming service where users upload their own videos. A very small number of the uploaded videos contain audio description and are generally so-designated in their titles. Clicking on the previous Vimeo link takes you to the list of titles matching "audio description" or "audio described," as both terms are used, but many of them are demos, movie trailers, or discussions of audio description.

YouTube TV, a Google subsidiary, is a paid OTT (over-the-top) streaming subscription service which streams live TV from the five major broadcast networks in the USA, plus over 100 other channels for $73/month. They refer to this service as Cable-Free Live TV and have around 6.5 million subscribers as of November 2023. They are on their way to becoming the 4th largest live TV service in the USA by 2024. Our testing indicates that audio description is available, though not 100%. In general vision-impaired users are very happy with this service. However, in January 2024 a user reported that YouTube TV does not offer AD on ABC or NBC because the networks are not passing through the AD tracks. We offer this guide to accessing YouTube TV AD.

The AMC On Demand online video rental or purchase service has moved to Vudu as of June 2023.

BET+ is the streaming component of BET, Black Entertainment Television, a division of Paramount. It offers "Exclusive Originals, Tyler Perry and Classic Hits" for $10/month. In August 2023 we wrote and asked about the status of AD, and their answer was inconclusive, implying that a few shows had AD, but we need this proved. We are investigating further. Can you help?

BritBox bills itself as "The biggest streaming collection of British TV ... ever. Dramas, comedies, mysteries, documentaries, soaps, lifestyle and more." Alas, none are audio described. In October 2019, they said that AD was a "great suggestion" that would be passed to their Editorial Team for review. In 2024, they seemed to indicate no interest in bringing AD to the USA, even though they do provide it in the UK.

Broadway On Demand is a streaming service started in 2020. "A base subscription to Broadway On Demand will be free with access to premium content available in a paid tier membership. In addition to live shows, the service will feature an array of archived content in partnership with artists, concert series and performance venues around the world. It will also feature educational materials and masterclasses, as well as backstage footage." (per Cord Cutters article). When asked in July 2023 if they supported AD, they replied no.

Comcast Choice TV allows a user to subscribe to a Comcast video service without purchasing or using a set-top box. You can watch on the Xfinity Stream app. You must, however, have an Xfinity internet plan. The base cost is reportedly $30/month, which includes broadcast TV and DVR. The latest information we can find is in the following article: Comcast brings pay-TV upgrade option to Flex. We can't confirm the availability of AD or not.

Crunchyroll, which features Anime, is an independently operated joint venture between U.S.-based Sony Pictures Entertainment and Japan's Aniplex, a subsidiary of Sony Music Entertainment (Japan) Inc., both subsidiaries of Tokyo-based Sony Group Corporation. Anime has no history of providing audio description, and we know of no AD plans for Crunchyroll at this time.

Documentary+ began operation on January 28, 2021. It is free, operates on most streaming devices, and offers both short and full-length documentary films. One source of new content will be the Sundance Film Festival. We have no reason be believe they support audio description.

FilmRise is a FREE streaming service with about 10,000 films, mostly older and less well-known. There is not much content that was recorded originally with audio description tracks, and they confirmed in April 2020 that they do not have the capability to offer multiple audio tracks. A 2023 check of their app would indicate this is still true.

Funimation is an anime streaming service owned by Crunchyroll, which is owned by Sony. Despite a large portion of its catalog moving to Crunchyroll, it still exists and offers titles licensed by it before the acquisition by Sony. We have no reason to believe they offer any AD.

Fubo TV offers up to 324 channels and a DVR for $80-100 per month as of July 2024. The $100/month plan includes Paramount+ with Showtime. As of March 2024, they had 1.9 million subscribers globally, 1.5 million in North America. When asked (again) in July 2024 if they were planning on offering audio description, they replied no.

Hallmark Movies Now is Crown Media Family Networks’ subscription video on demand streaming service. They offer around 1,000 hours of commercial-free Hallmark-branded original "unique, feel-good programming" not currently found on the company’s regular TV networks. Most popular streaming devices are supported, and the fee is $6/month ($5/month when paid annually). In September 2023 they confirmed that they do not offer any audio described content.

HappyKids.tv is a free streaming app available on all major streaming devices. They describe their service as "Non-stop Rhymes, Music, Popular Shows, Stories, Activity Guide and Movies ... Trusted by Over 6 Million Parents." They do not support audio description.

[This is NOT Max] HBO does not offer any audio description. (HBO Go and HBO Now are no longer available and did not offer AD.) App users are expected to have migrated to Max (formerly HBO Max).

History: See the article HBO’s ‘My Brilliant Friend’ Discriminates Against Blind People. Technically speaking, HBO has offered at least two programs with AD long ago: "Educating Peter" and "Monica and David," both of which focused on people with disabilities. But since this is so rare and with no further commitment, we leave them listed as not offering description. A settlement agreement regarding HBO Max (now Max) does not apply to regular HBO via cable and satellite services.

Brand new in 2020, Means TV bills itself as "the world's first post-capitalist, cooperatively run streaming service." They offer "a library of films, documentaries, and shows with new programming added all the time [and] live weekly shows covering news, the working class, gaming and sports." It costs $10/month, has no ads, and operates on browsers, smartphones, and via streaming devices.

The NBC app offers free access to new and classic NBC shows on various devices, including iOS, Android, Amazon Fire, and Roku; however, they do not offer any audio described content at this time that we know about.

Pure Flix specializes in "faith and family-friendly movies, original shows, engaging documentaries, and more." The cost is $8/month, less on a yearly plan. We have no reason to believe the offer any AD.

Shudder is a subscription service for the horror, thriller, and suspense genres, with originals, movies, TV series, podcasts, and live streaming events for under $5/month. Nothing is audio described, but they passed along a request from us to add it in March 2020. A number of users have expressed interest in having AD on this service, so email Shudder if you want AD!

Sling TV, owned by Dish Network, is an OTT (Over the Top) streaming service which offers over 50 channels including CNN, ESPN, TNT, TBS, and Blockbuster on Demand, and supports the usual cadre of devices like iOS and Roku. Subscriptions start at $40/month. They have about 2 million subscribers. There is an optional associated device named AirTV 2 which streams local stations to your TV and also has a DVR function for an extra fee. When used with Sling TV, all stations appear together in the guide. Sling Freestream offers ad-supported programs. Sling does not support AD.

Comcast's Xumo was "repurposed" in November 2022 as a joint venture between Comcast and Charter Communications, "evolving the brand from a free ad-supported streaming TV (FAST) service to an entire entertainment ecosystem inclusive of streaming devices, content, and a platform for partners to reach audiences at scale ... Xumo [is], distributed by Comcast, Charter and Walmart, with additional distributors to be announced in the future." Whether or not any of this includes audio description is TBD! The previous Xumo FAST system is being renamed Xumo Play. Xumo Press Release. Latest News.

Xumo Play is a free streaming service which features over 300 different genre-grouped channels and tens of thousands of movie and TV titles. They also offer a free Kids TV Channel with 40+ shows. Xumo is an app available via streaming products like Fire TV or Roku, Xfinity or Flex cable boxes, and via browsers.

YouTube Premium (formerly YouTube Red) is a subscription streaming service offering ad-free access to YouTube videos. Since YouTube videos do not have a way to easily add audio description tracks, you won't find audio description here either. YouTube TV, however, is a totally different product which supports description.

There are many other streaming video services that we don't know anything about, but we don't have any reason to believe any of them offer audio described content. The world is going crazy with streaming services! If you find any worth mentioning, please let us know.