Audio Description (formerly Video Description) on TV

How Many TV Series are Audio Described? Oct '24

ABC has had AD for practically all prime time programming since February of 2022, though AD was relatively plentiful before then (perhaps all but one day per week). CBS committed to describing all scripted programming in February of 2022, though a subset of competition shows are also described. Fox has provided AD for practically all prime time programming since 2012, which includes scripted dramas, competition shows, and one weekly live offering; however, AD is either mono or on the left channel. NBC offers AD on all scripted programming in stereo.

How Do I Receive Audio Description on a TV?

Terminology

The FCC originally designated audio description for television as video description, but the ACB and ADP objected to this alteration of the term for audio description, and on October 27,2020, the FCC issued a Report and Order which in part changed the terminology.  The networks have historically used four different terms!  Also, note that in the following discussion, the term SAP (Second Audio Program channel or feature) is used.  However, SAP is exclusively an analog television feature, and now everything is digital.  For convenience, most people (including us) continue to reference the term SAP, even though it is technically not correct.  There does not seem to be a uniform or easy way to reference the feature in another manner.

General Considerations

• Cable or Satellite Service:  The signal must be selected from the audio menu on your cable box via its remote, NOT the TV's remote, generally by selecting SAP or other terminology such as MTS or Audio.
• Using a Recording Device (DVR):  Generally speaking, you don't have to have the secondary audio channel on during the recording of a show on a DVR or TiVo device:  you can choose the option at playback time.  Older devices (such as TiVo Series 3) may require that you preselect SAP before recording.  Ask your cable provider for a newer device if this is a problem for you.  Also, some cable boxes, such as DirecTV's Genie, reset the SAP option after showing a recording, while others leave it on.
• Caution for All Methods:  If you leave your set on the secondary channel, you may find NO audio at all when the secondary audio channel is not in use.  Some stations or networks pass the regular audio on the secondary channel, while others do not.

Accessible User Interfaces

December 20, 2016, was the deadline for compliance with the FCC's order for manufacturers of video devices to offer accessible user interfaces to visually impaired customers. Check out the FCC Fact Sheet: Television and Set-Top Box Controls, Menus, and Program Guides.  Comcast lead the way on this years ago, and eventually everyone else followed.  Check below for information, or contact your own cable or satellite TV supplier for "what's available" and "how to" information regarding Talking Guides or audio for remotes.  You can report findings on our forum, and you can report problems to us at advocacy@acb.org.

Provider-Specific Information (Updated Jun '24)

The amount of detail shown for the various providers below varies based on the amount of information we could find or provided to us by users.  You can help by sending the webmaster additional information!

The bottom line is that there is no single standardized method for receiving description, but most systems rely on the concept of a "Second Audio Program," or SAP, even though the terminology is incorrect.  We rely on user experience; so if you have been able to receive audio description, please write the webmaster (via the link at the bottom of this page) and tell us your experience, including HOW you receive your signal (i.e., which cable company and cable box), what settings you use, what TV you have, and your location.

You may wish to also note that there is a conflict between the use of the Second Audio Program (SAP) channel for description versus Spanish Language in the USA.  The "plan" is to carry description on its own audio channel in the future (i.e., not a shared purpose channel), but we are a long way off from equipment standardization in this area.  The FCC concedes this conflict of legacy equipment in paragraphs 28-33 of its Report and Order and gives local stations leeway on which signal to pass, until such time as multiple audio channels are readily available to end users.  [As of July 2014, there is no plan in the works to utilize additional audio channels.  The single-channel "SAP" concept appears to be "it" for the foreseeable future...]

Who Must Provide Audio Description?  (Updated Aug '24)

The FCC's authority to govern certain aspects of audio description on commercial television rests with the CVAA, formally known as The Twenty-First Century Communications and Video Accessibility Act of 2010.  You can reference either the short Consumer Guide to the CVAA or the full CVAA Public Law 111-260. You may also wish to visit the COAT website: the Coalition of Organizations for Accessible Technology. where you will learn a lot more about the CVAA, the Communications, Video and Technology Accessibility Act, intended to update and replace the CVAA.

As of July 1, 2024, the list of networks required to provide audio description (updated every three years based on popularity) is: ABC, CBS, Fox, NBC, plus Hallmark, HGTV, TBS, TLC, and TNT.  TNT is new, replacing History. (Other former mandated nonbroadcast networks are Disney, Discovery, and USA.) News and sports networks are routinely exempted. Each network is required to provide 87.5 hours of audio-described prime time or children's programming per calendar quarter. In August 2024, the FCC granted Warner Media's request for TBS to air "at least 1,000 hours of audio-described programming each quarter (and more than 1,400 hours of audio-described programming on average per quarter over the entire waiver period) during any quarter in which it is unable to meet the minimum hour threshold in the Commission’s rules, including repeats.  The waiver is also conditioned on TNT airing at least 2,500 hours of audio-described programming each year, including repeats.  Additionally, WBD commits to provide audio description for 100 percent of newly produced, non-live programming aired during certain core hours on TBS, TNT, and TruTV. ")

Satellite providers (Dish Network and DirecTV) must pass through SAP for the top five non-terrestrial networks as listed above regardless of a subscriber's location. However in the cases where a local affiliate of a terrestrial network (i.e., a local station affiliated with a network like ABC, picked up and fed as a convenience to subscribers in the area) is not broadcasting SAP, the satellite provider is not required to pass along the SAP from the stations' networks since the satellite provider gets the signal from local stations.  If the local affiliates are broadcasting audio description, the satellite companies must pass that signal on to subscribers if they have the technical capability to do so**.

Cable Companies (like Comcast or Spectrum) must pass along description from the cable stations (like TBS), as long as they have over 50,000 subscribers.  If any local affiliate (a station picked up and passed along by the cable company) is broadcasting SAP, then they must pass that signal on to subscribers if they have the technical capability to do so**.

** Reference FCC Report and Order 11-126 paragraphs 23-27, where technical capability to do so is defined as having "virtually all necessary equipment and infrastructure to do so, except for items that would be of minimal cost."  These five FCC paragraphs, particularly paragraph 27, demonstrate a minimal tolerance for excuses in this area, especially over time.

Resolving Problems Receiving Audio Description (Updated Oct '22)

Lots of people report success after contacting their local affiliate or cable/satellite provider for help!  PLEASE CALL THEM FIRST FOR ASSISTANCE.  If they are not cooperative or unsuccessful in resolving your situation, you can tell them you will be filing a complaint with the FCC that they will have to answer; and if they still don't resolve your problem, then file the complaint.  NOTE: If you do not receive an email from the FCC after submission or if you are otherwise having issues filling out the Accessibility Complaint form, please contact the FCC's Disability Rights Office at dro@fcc.gov, or call 202-418-2517 (voice), 888-835-5322 (TTY) or 1-844-432-2275 (videophone).

Slightly modified, here's advice offered on our list server by Timothy Wynn in November 2021.

If you are having trouble receiving AD from a broadcast network, e.g., NBC, then you should try contacting the local affiliate first.  If you are having trouble receiving AD from a non-broadcast network, e.g., USA, then likely the issue lies with your cable or satellite provider.

Consumers may 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, e.g., an engineer at the station, and (2) a contact for filing a complaint, e.g., the VP of Regulatory Affairs.  Sometimes both contacts are for the same person, sometimes two different people -- it all depends on the provider and how they structure things.

To use this database:

• Open the above link in a web browser of your choice. The beginning of the main content is a level-three heading labeled "SEARCH VPDs".
• After reviewing the instructions below the heading, move to the unlabeled edit box and enter your zip code (the label is right before the field).
• Check the types of providers that correspond to how you receive television broadcasts. These are check-boxes and so you can mix and match as desired.
• After making your selection, you will find a "Search" button below the series of check-boxes. Activate it to initiate your search.
• Once the page loads, there should be a level-three heading labeled "SEARCH RESULTS", a combo-box to filter results if you chose more than one provider type, and below that a table containing all the providers that were populated from your choices.
• Find the provider you wish details for, and activate the "view details" link which is the last column of the table.
• Once the page loads, the main content starts with a level-three heading labeled "VPD DETAILS". you can peruse the details as desired, and contact the provider with the contact method of your choice, i.e., by phone, fax, e-mail, or writing a letter (if filing a complaint).

CAUTION:  Over time, links in this section [like those to COAT, now defunct] will cease to work!

FCC Votes to Reinstate Video Description

On August 25, 2011, the FCC was finally able to vote (unanimously) to reinstate video description, effective July 1, 2012.  ABC, CBS, Fox, NBC, USA, the Disney Channel, Nickelodeon, TNT, and TBS are each required to provide 50 hours of video-described prime time or children's programming per calendar quarter.  Read Commissioner Clyburn's statement.

NOTE:  The FCC's order applies (at this time) to the Top 25 TV Markets.  [deleted expired link]  The markets near the cutoff are:  St Louis (21), Portland OR (22), Charlotte (23), Pittsburgh (24), and Raleigh-Durham-Fayetteville (25).  Just over the line are Baltimore (26), Indianapolis (27, formerly 25), San Diego (28), and Nashville (29).  Indianapolis was the only area in the top 40 to move more than 1 position in the last year.  In six years, the top 60 markets must be covered, adding 10 more markets per year after that.

FCC Adopts Two Key Provisions

In early March, 2011, the FCC adopted two key provisions of the newly enacted 21st Century Communications & Video Accessibility Act without the need for further public discussion:

• Reinstatement of the video description rules previously adopted by the FCC in 2000.
• Rules requiring providers of advanced communications services and manufacturers of equipment used for those services to make their products accessible to people with disabilities.

Further details are available at COAT.  At the same time, FCC Commissioner Michael Copps has praised CBS, FOX, PBS, TCM, and TNT for having voluntarily continued producing some shows with description even after the FCC's mandate was overturned in 2002.  [Applicable link expired]

Video Description Legislation Becomes Law

On October 8, 2010, President Obama signed The 21st Century Communications and Video Accessibility Act. Earlier, the House passed HR 3101 (Twenty-first Century Communications and Video Accessibility Act of 2009) and the Senate passed a modified S 3304 (Equal Access to 21st Century Communications Act), which was closer to HR 3101 than their original version, then voted on some technical amendments (S 3828).  The House then voted on the modified Senate bill on September 28, 2010,which was subsequently signed by President Obama.  Passage of those bills required a lot of lobbying by members of COAT and others, so congratulations to all who helped!  [NOTE:  COAT was an organization formed to help ensure passage of this bill.  Having achieved its objective, it was eventually disbanded in 2015.]

The new law assures restoration of the FCC's authority to mandate video description, at least for the largest networks in the largest population areas (although not for one year, October 2011).  Now actually being able to receive description on your TV is a different story, but this is the start that we've been waiting EIGHT long years for!

Key Links

• Eric Bridge's Summary of the Provisions of the Act
• Law Firm's Summary of the Act and Its Implications [no longer available]
• View the Video of the Signing [no longer available]
• Read a Transcript of the Signing
• Audio Description on TV Outside the USA
• See bottom of this page for additional references

Summary (focusing on items affecting people who are blind or have low vision)

Video Description

• After 1 year, restores FCC rules requiring 4 hours per week of video description on 9 television channels (top 4 broadcast networks and top 5 cable channels) in the top 25 most populated markets.  [See UPDATE above]
• After 2 years, requires FCC to report to Congress on video description.
• After 4 years, permits the FCC to increase video description to 7 hours per week on 9 television channels.
• After 6 years, requires the FCC to apply the video description requirements to the top 60 most populated markets (not just the top 25 most populated markets).
• After 9 years, requires the FCC to report to Congress on the need for additional markets to carry video description.
• After 10 years, permits the FCC to expand video description to 10 new markets annually to achieve 100 percent nationwide coverage.

Equipment

• Requires cable/satellite set-top box on-screen text menus and guides to be audibly accessible to individuals who are blind or have low vision, if achievable.
• To provide access to built-in closed captioning and video description features through a mechanism that is reasonably comparable to a button, key, or icon designated for activating the closed captioning or accessibility features.
• Requires devices designed to receive or play back video programming:
  • to make controls of built-in functions accessible to and usable by individuals who are blind or have low vision, if achievable;
  • to make controls of built-in functions accessible to and usable by individuals who are blind or have low vision through audio output;
  • to provide access to built-in closed captioning and video description features through a mechanism that is reasonably comparable to a button, key, or icon designated for activating the closed captioning or accessibility features.

Emergency Information

• Requires video programming owners, providers, and distributors to make emergency information accessible to individuals who are blind or have low vision.

Watch this website for updates.  The ACB and its representative Eric Bridges have contributed valuable input on the content of these bills which finally made it to congressional votes.

History

There is a long history on the subject of audio description for television, which is typically called video description.  The short version is that the FCC mandated it to start in April 2002, but their authority to do so was challenged successfully that same year, and for the next eight years measures got introduced in Congress to reinstate that authority, failing to get passed (probably because of tacked-on unrelated provisions) until the second half of 2010.

The only good news during those years was that some networks continued to produce audio description tracks for some of their shows (many shows for PBS, a few for CBS, for example).  With the conversion to digital television, the problem of receiving the description increased immeasurably.

Originally description was offered by a feature of analog televisions called Second Audio Program, or SAP.  By activating SAP via your remote, you could receive a secondary audio channel, replacing the primary one.  The audio channel could be a Spanish language translation of the audio, or it could be a version of the primary audio that had been modified with description overlaid.

With the transition to digital TV in June of 2009, reception issues got significantly worse.  While an audio channel was designated for audio description on digital TVs years ago, without the mandate for description the TV manufacturers did little or nothing to allow access to the channel, and very few TV networks have offered a digital audio description feed.

And then there is the question of the cable and satellite networks.  They need to take a network feed and rebroadcast it, then make it available through their own set-top boxes.  Historically this has required costly additional equipment, and implementation has been spotty.

So, to put it bluntly, we are in limbo regarding actually being able to receive description on TV!  Congress has finally given the FCC the authority to mandate it from broadcasters and (we believe) will require manufacturers to make the description channel easy to access on all new TVs at some point in the future, but we're not there yet.

The key committee working on these problems is the FCC Video Programming Accessibility Advisory Committee, co-chaired by Larry Goldberg of WGBH Media Access, and a key workgroup is the Video Description Pass-Thru Workgroup, co-chaired by Brad Hodges of the AFB.

In the meantime, you can check some of the following topics for reference.  [Links are being removed over time as they become inactive ...]

• Turner Classic Movies (TCM) cable network has a number you can call to hear a recording of their DVS movie schedule:  404 885-5535.
• Conversion to Digital Television (DTV) and Second Audio Program (SAP)
  (includes Accessing Video Description on Your TV)
• COAT writes HULU requesting complete captioning and expanded video description.  Read the HULU letter.  (HULU is an online service for recent TV shows.) - posted May 7, '09
• FCC Announces Establishment of Technical Working Group to Study Digital Closed Captioning and Video Description Issues, Appointment of Members, Agenda for First Meeting.  Read the FCC Announcement (PDF). - posted May 1, '09
• TV Network Addresses (offsite link; so you can contact networks regarding description!) Last updated Dec '21

For audio described television outside the USA, see our International page.