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 captioning quality … Continue Reading
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 (4) placement. The rules … Continue Reading
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
By Daniel Kahn and Paul Swain 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. … Continue Reading
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 (2) … Continue Reading
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
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
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 … Continue Reading
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
