News - radio, television and film

Read about the latest developments and products in television, radio and film for blind and partially sighted people.

If you have any questions or would like further information about any of the news items listed below, email broadcasting@rnib.org.uk

Latest news

Awareness of audio description increases

Published: 19 June 2013 New research recently released by Ofcom shows that 67 per cent of the people surveyed are aware of the service, which gives blind and partially sighted people greater access to television programs.

From the BBC headquarters: BBC and audio description

Published: 3 June 2013 The BBC is very proud of the role it played in pioneering audio description on digital television, a service which complements our network and local radio stations in delivering high quality programmes of all genres to our sight-impaired license-fee payers.

From the BskyB headquarters: BskyB and audio description

Published: 20 May 2013 We've had a commitment to ensure that all our customers can make the most of Sky. That's why we were the first broadcaster to voluntarily provide audio description (AD) on more than 20 percent of programming.

Get the picture - making television easier for people with sight loss

RNIB has produced a video which brings to life some of the features that enhance usability of television and related devices for blind and partially sighted people.

We love audio description: UK broadcasters

2012 was a spectacular year for audio description fans in the UK with television channels broadcasting around 6000 programmes with AD each week.

Do you use Freeview?

With 4G being rolled out to replace existing 3G coverage to give smartphone users faster data downloads, concerns are being voiced that some 4G signals - those at 800 MHz - may interfere with the existing Freeview services.

Text To Speech International Standard now available

Following the successful launch of Panasonic televisions with voice guidance and the TVonics talking set top box last year, RNIB has worked with IEC on an International Standard on how to provide text to speech in television equipment which has now been published.

New UK rules oblige channels to start providing audio description outside the UK

Ofcom published a list of non-UK television channels that will be required to provide audio description in Member States of the European Union other than the UK.

TV Audio description has reached record levels

Recent Ofcom regulation requires 10 per cent of programmes to be audio described by the tenth anniversary of a channel's digital licence. However most channels are exceeding this obligation by describing much more.

Little audio description in the online world!

Despite high usage figures, only three of the many online services are currently delivering audio description on their programmes, BBC iPlayer, the Channel 4 player - 4oD, and Sky Anytime.

Last updated: 10 July 2012

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