Closed Captioning/Video Description Rules

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FCC Seeks Comment on Ongoing Waiver of Requirement to Aurally Describe Non-Textual Emergency Information in Non-Newscast Programming April 27, 2023

By recent Public Notice, the FCC is soliciting comment on an NAB Petition (the “Petition”) seeking a further extension of an existing waiver to one aspect of the so-called “audible...

January 1, 2021: FCC’s Video/Audio Description Requirements Expand to DMAs 61–70 December 7, 2020

It’s official: the FCC’s recently adopted expansion of its video/audio description requirements will begin taking effect at the start of the new year, with the requirements initially extending to DMAs...

FCC Seeks Comments on Whether to Examine Current Closed Captioning Rules; Immediate Focus on Viability of “Automatic Speech Recognition” August 23, 2019

The FCC recently issued a Public Notice (the “Notice”) seeking comment on a petition filed by a coalition of consumer and academic organizations that asks the Commission to examine its...

FCC Seeks Comment on Video Description for Report to Lawmakers February 7, 2019

The FCC issued a Public Notice (the “Notice”) earlier this week seeking comments regarding recent developments in the video description marketplace as it prepares a report that must be submitted...

Expanded Video Description Requirement Takes Effect July 1, 2018 June 14, 2018

Television stations that are affiliated with Big 4 Networks in the Top 60 DMAs have just a few more weeks—until July 1, 2018—before they must comply with expanded video-described programming...

COMPLIANCE DEADLINE EXTENDED: May 26 Deadline for Compliance with Rule Requiring TV Stations to Video Describe Emergency Graphics on Secondary Audio Program Stream Has Been Extended for Five Years May 25, 2018

Since November 2015, all TV stations have been required to comply with a portion of the FCC’s Audible Crawl Rule, which requires stations to video describe emergency information on a...

FCC Might Delay May 26, 2018, Deadline for TV Stations to Video Describe Emergency Graphics on Secondary Audio Program Stream April 5, 2018

A couple of months ago, we reminded you of the May 26, 2018, deadline for complying with the FCC’s rule that requires non-textual emergency information that airs during non-news programming—e.g.,...

Four-Month Countdown: TV Stations Must Video Describe Emergency Graphics on Secondary Audio Program Stream by May 26, 2018 January 26, 2018

Since November 2015, all TV stations have been required to comply with the FCC’s Audible Crawl Rule, which requires stations to video describe emergency information on a secondary audio stream...

OMB Is Finally Examining Closed Captioning Rules Adopted in 2016, Including Potentially Burdensome “Home Visit” Requirement October 24, 2017

Television broadcasters who are concerned about burdensome elements of the FCC’s “new” closed captioning rules have an opportunity to weigh in with OMB (the Office of Management and Budget) by...

Important Reminder for Severe Weather Coverage: Nuts & Bolts of the FCC’s Emergency Access Rules September 8, 2017

When television stations cover severe weather events, it is critical that they remember their obligations under the FCC’s “emergency access” rules. The points below do not represent a full exposition...