4 August 2012
Starting this week, audio description will be available on selected programmes on 4oD, the video on demand service from Channel 4. Audio description is an additional audio track that, describes body language, expressions and movements, making the programme clear through sound.
Users looking for audio described content will be directed to a new section called "audio described shows" from the 4oD homepage. Initially, only selected programmes will be available with AD but the amount of content will grow over time.
Principal Manager of the Media and Culture Department at RNIB, Leen Petré, said "RNIB is really pleased with this development as it means that blind and partially sighted people will be able to enjoy programmes on 4oD with audio description from now on. The timing of the launch is also perfect: people who have missed "That Paralympics Show" will have the option to catch up online with audio description. We do hope that this service will be rolled out to more and more programmes on 4oD over the year."
According to a news report published on Digital TV Europe website, the VOD platform first launched in November 2006, recorded 41 million views in April 2012. Entertainment was said to be the most viewed genre across the month, drawing over 9.9 million views, followed by drama with 9.3 million views.
Paul Myers, VOD Content Operations Manager, 4oD said "Accessibility to our programmes is important and we are really pleased to be able to start making content available with audio description on Channel 4.com/4oD. Over the coming months we will be increasing the amount of content available with AD on Channel4.com as well as looking to roll out access services on some of our other platforms."
Any viewer enquiries or feedback should be directed to the usual Channel 4 viewers contact site or they can be contacted on 0845 076 0191.