closed captioning

In a Public Notice released this week, the FCC’s Consumer and Governmental Affairs Bureau provided details regarding the procedures by which video programming distributors (including broadcasters and MVPDs) must report video programmers who refuse to provide widely available closed captioning quality certifications.

The procedures described in the Public Notice are an outgrowth of the closed
Continue Reading FCC Issues Public Notice Concerning Closed Captioning Reporting Procedures

The FCC announced in a recent Public Notice that it will extend the deadline for compliance with its new television closed captioning quality rules until March 16, 2015.

Previously scheduled to go into effect on January 15, 2015, the quality rules establish standards for television closed captioning concerning (1) accuracy, (2) synchronicity, (3) completeness, and
Continue Reading FCC Extends Deadline for Compliance with Television Closed Captioning Quality Rules

In a recent Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (FNPRM), the FCC announced that it is seeking comment on proposals that would require video programmers to file contact information and closed captioning certifications with the FCC.  Specific topics on which the FCC is seeking comment include the following:

  • Whether video programmers should be required to file


Continue Reading FCC Seeks Comment on Requiring Video Programmers to File Contact Information, Closed Captioning Certifications

The FCC has adopted new rules regarding closed captioning quality for television programming.  At its meeting yesterday, the Commission unanimously approved a Report & Order that will establish four “non-quantitative” quality standards for closed captioning, requiring captions to be (1) accurate, (2) synchronous, (3) complete, and (4) properly placed.  The Report & Order will also
Continue Reading FCC Establishes Quality Standards for Closed Captioning

Recently, the FCC extended the time for interested parties to comment on certain closed captioning issues.  In a recent Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, the FCC announced that it is seeking comment on two issues related to its captioning rules: (1) possible synchronization requirements for devices covered by the FCC closed captioning rules and
Continue Reading FCC Extends Commenting Period on Closed Captioning Issues

Under the Internet closed captioning requirements established by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), after certain triggering deadlines, video programming shown on television with captions in the United States and distributed in full-length form over Internet Protocol (IP) must be provided with captions online.  Beginning on September 30, 2013, the IP closed captioning requirements will apply
Continue Reading Deadline Nears for Online Captioning of Full-Length Programming Edited For Internet Distribution

Under the Internet closed captioning requirements established by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), after certain triggering deadlines, video programming shown on television with captions in the United States and distributed in full-length form over Internet Protocol (IP) must be provided with captions online.  Beginning on March 30, 2013, the IP closed captioning requirements will apply
Continue Reading March 30, 2013, Deadline Nears for Online Captioning of Live and Near-Live Programming

Recently, Netflix settled a lawsuit brought by the National Association for the Deaf (NAD) that alleged that its online closed captioning practices violated the American with Disabilities Act (ADA).  As a part of the settlement, Netflix agreed to caption all of its “Watch Instantly” programming by September 30, 2014.  Until then, Netflix will provide a mechanism on its site for deaf and hard of hearing users to search for programming with captions. 
Continue Reading Netflix Settles Online Closed Captioning Litigation

With hurricane season already in progress, including Hurricane Isaac’s arrival on the Gulf Coast, the FCC has issued a reminder of the obligation to make emergency information accessible to persons with hearing and visual disabilities.  The FCC’s public notice provides additional guidance with respect to what video programming distributors must do to meet the accessibility
Continue Reading FCC Reminds Video Programming Distributors of the Requirement to Make Emergency Information Accessible to Persons With Hearing or Visual Impairments