According to the Closedcaptioning.net website, while captioning on the main US channels is at or close to 100%, the FCC’s caption regulations still include some types of programming which are exempt.
COAT is arguing that captioning has become easier and less expensive in recent years, and these exemptions should be eliminated. They include:
Under the Government’s rules, these channels are exempt from the captioning requirements that cover the primary channels. The only programs which must be captioned on them are those which were previously screened on the same network’s primary channel with captions. The survey shows that, in general, the commercial multichannels are only captioning the bare minimum they are obliged to do.
The program, which airs on TVNZ, was selected to be the first to be audio described by the Association of Blind Citizens of New Zealand.
It is planned that the audio description of Coronation Street will continue until the end of the year. The success of the service will then be evaluated, and it is expected that more programs will follow. The service can be received on Freeview HD and Freeview Satellite TV receivers, and has been funded by a grant of NZ$500 from NZ on Air.
The study involved two focus groups consisting of 10 blind and partially sighted people who regularly watch audio described programs on TV or DVD. Clips from 3D movies were shown to the groups and the history and process of 3D explained.
