Ofcom meeting on the quality of subtitles
16 November 2012
On Thursday 25 October, Sense took part in a roundtable meeting about the quality of subtitles at Ofcom. Representatives from the organisations Action on Hearing Loss, Hearing Link and NDCS were present, alongside broadcasting companies such as BBC, ITV, Channel 5 and BSkyB.
It was an opportunity for those representing the interests of people with sensory impairments, subtitle providers and broadcasters to come together to hear directly about the current audience experience of subtitling. Presentations were given by Action on Hearing Loss, Simon Pearce. who has a hearing impairment, and Pablo Romeo-Fresco, who showed research about how people use subtitles in terms of quality.
Sense raised the specific issues relating to subtitle requirements specific to dual sensory impaired viewers from whom they had received feedback and Sense along with the other charity organisations also raised their concerns regarding the current shortcomings of live and recorded subtitles.
Much discussion took place to advise the subtitle providers and Ofcom. In closing the meeting Chris Woolard, Group director for Ofcom, advised that they would continue to gather information and evidence including reviewing the approach in other countries and the technology used to access subtitles.
Ofcom will release their report in the new year of 2013.