The US Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has issued regulations requiring manufacturers and program distributors to make closed captioning display settings “readily accessible” to deaf and hard of hearing viewers.

The Third Report and Order, titled “Accessibility of User Interfaces, and Video Programming Guides and Menus,” was adopted on July 18, 2024, with the stated goal of improving accessibility for individuals with disabilities.

While accessibility and localization services are distinct, there is some overlap, particularly when it comes to speech-to-text capabilities.

Captions, the text on the bottom of a screen that matches the audio in a video, are typically associated with improved accessibility for the deaf and hard of hearing. Subtitles, on the other hand, display a translation of the audio. 

More specifically, closed captioning refers to captions that can be turned on and off, or displayed and removed, at the user’s discretion. The FCC’s new order will apply to the manufacturers of televisions, streaming devices, and set-top devices, requiring access to more user-friendly menus and the ability to customize the appearance of captions, such as the font size, color, and style.

Manufacturers and programming distributors will have flexibility in terms of how they meet the new standards. The compliance deadline, while not yet specified, will take effect either after the completion of Office of Management and Budget requirements or two years after publication in the Federal Register, whichever comes later.

According to the Report, the FCC already requires closed captioning on “nearly all television programming.” In fact, “all new English and Spanish language programming that is not exempt from the Commission’s rules must be closed captioned. […] In addition, 75 percent of all non-exempt pre-rule English and Spanish language programming must be closed captioned.”

So while the FCC’s new requirements could make it easier for viewers to access captions in both English and Spanish, they do not necessarily grow demand for speech-to-text or captioning services, per se. Rather, they reflect the uptick in viewers using captions. 

This trend has emerged thanks to a confluence of factors, including an aging population, more likely to experience hearing impairments, and subpar audio on newer television models.

At the same time, the surge in the use of captions could translate into greater willingness among US viewers to explore subtitled media, a phenomenon Netflix has already jumped on and, in some ways, promoted. 

Similarly, the number of Americans with limited English proficiency (LEP) continues to increase, which could also push production companies and distributors to add subtitles in even more languages to their workflow.