FAQ
Are all programs captioned?
All English- and Spanish-language programming airing between 6:00 a.m. and 2:00 a.m. must be captioned, with some exceptions.
FCC rules regulating captioning?
English Language Programming
- As of January 1, 2006, all “new” English language programming, defined as analog programming first published or exhibited on or after January 1, 1998, and digital programming first aired on or after July 1, 2002, must be captioned, with some exceptions.
- As of January 1, 2008, 75 percent of “pre-rule” English language programming, defined as analog programming first shown before January 1, 1998, and digital programming first shown before July 1, 2002, must be captioned, with some exceptions.
Spanish Language Programming
Because captioning is newer to Spanish language program providers, the FCC allows them a longer time to provide captioned programming. As of January 1, 2010, all “new” Spanish language must be captioned, with some exceptions.
For “pre-rule” Spanish language programming, the following schedule applies:
- January 1, 2005, to December 31, 2011: 30 percent of programming per channel per quarter.
- January 1, 2012, and thereafter: 75 percent of programming per channel per quarter.
What is “pop-on” captioning?
Captions appear and disappear, “popping” onscreen in sync with the audio. These captions tend to contain one or two lines of text that can be placed essentially anywhere on the screen, such as under the specific speaker of the dialogue.
What is “roll-up” captioning?
Captions start on the top or bottom left-hand side of the screen and “roll” out to the right side of the screen in sync with the audio. Roll-up captions typically roll two or three lines before the top line disappears completely, constantly being replaced by new text as the program audio continues.
What is the difference between closed captions and open captions?
Closed captions are captions that are encoded, or embedded, into the video and cannot be seen unless turned on using your television menu. Open captions are always visible and cannot be turned off. They are burned directly into the video and are a part of the picture.
What is subtitling?
Subtitling is a method of making the soundtrack of a video recognizable to viewers who do not understand the language being spoken or viewers unable to hear the audio. Subtitles may appear as translations to foreign languages from the spoken language or straight transcripts of the spoken language.
What is encoding?
Encoding is the process whereby closed captions are embedded into a video, or subtitles or open captions are burned onto the video. After a caption or subtitle file is created, it can be fed through a caption encoder, which marries the caption file with the original video, and the end result is a separate captioned master. Once the captions are encoded onto tape, they will be part of the program with each airing or with each dub created.