About this factsheet

This factsheet is part of RNID's equipment range. You will find it useful if you are deaf and want to know how to get subtitles on television, DVDs and pre-recorded videotapes. We use the term 'deaf' throughout to refer to all types of hearing loss.

Read this factsheet to find out:

How much television is subtitled?

At the moment, BBC1 and BBC2 subtitle about 90% of their programmes each week. ITV1, Channel 4 and Sky News subtitle over 80% of programmes. Channel 5 subtitles over 66% of its programmes.
 
The BBC has made a commitment to 100% subtitling of all programmes by 2008 – this includes BBC1, BBC2, BBC3, BBC4, BBC News 24, CBeebies and the CBBC Channel.

The legal framework for subtitling requirements is set by the 2003 Communication Act, with the detailed requirements for each channel determined by the regulator Ofcom. At the moment, 70 channels are covered by the requirements to provide access services, although many of these channels have five years before they have to subtitle 60% of their programmes, and 10 years before they have to reach 80%.

Traditional (analogue) television and 888 teletext subtitles

Since television began in 1936, programmes have been broadcast and received using analogue technology. Although the analogue system has improved to allow better pictures, colour, teletext and 888 subtitles, it only has capacity to carry five national channels (BBC1, BBC2, ITV, Channel 4 and, in some regions, Channel 5).

From 2008, analogue television will start to be phased out in the UK, region by region. Until the analogue signal is switched off in your area, however, it will still be possible to get 888 subtitles through an analogue teletext television by selecting page 888. Although around 60% of households now watch digital television, the rest of us will need to switch to digital TV in the next few years.

Recording 888 teletext subtitles has become increasingly difficult, as video equipment manufacturers gear up to digital TV and offer new ways to record programmes instead of using videotapes. However, if you do need to record 888 teletext subtitles from analogue television, contact the RNID Information Line. Recording subtitles from digital television is much easier.

How can I receive digital television?

You can receive digital television:

All three options will allow you to watch with subtitles, and will give you many more channels than the five available on traditional analogue television. Which option you choose depends upon its availability in your area and the TV channels you want to watch. Digital television also has better picture and sound quality and other enhancements such as faster teletext and interactive services.

You don't have to buy or rent a new television set to be able to watch the digital channels. Regardless of which of the three digital options you choose, most people will be able to watch digital TV by using their existing television set plus a set-top box (digital TV receiver). Ask your retailer to check which digital television service is available in your area and which service best meets your needs. This will depend largely on what TV channels you want. It is likely that at least two of the three digital television options will be available in your area.

Integrated digital televisions

If you are thinking about buying a new television, you may want to buy a set that can receive digital television without having a separate set-top box. These are called integrated digital televisions and they cost between £500 and £1,000. Remember, a TV (as well as any set-top box) that can receive the digital channels should have the DV3 sign on it. Ask for help from store staff.

How to get digital television

Freeview (digital terrestrial television)

This is available across 80% of the UK and it is quite likely that your TV roof aerial is already receiving the digital channels. But ask your local retailer to confirm it is available in your area or visit www.freeview.co.uk/ (external link, opens new browser window) before buying any new equipment. You may need to replace your TV aerial for a new 'wideband' one.
 
Freeview has about 32 channels. There is no additional cost to receive the channels available on Freeview, but you can pay an optional subscription to receive Top Up TV, a package of 11 extra channels.

What do I need to get Freeview?

There are two options:

Set-top box

This option is ideal if you don't want to replace your existing television set. The set-top box plugs into the television and your existing TV aerial. Some set-top boxes can record the channels on Freeview as well as receive them. A set-top box costs from £35.

If you don't want to install the set-top box yourself, ask your retailer, as some will install it for you.

Subtitles on Freeview

You can get subtitles in two ways:

How do I record subtitles from Freeview?

You can record subtitles from any set-top box or idTV when it is connected to a VHS video cassette recorder (VCR) or DVD recorder (via the scart connecting lead). Subtitles are recorded in open format. This means that when you play back the recording, you will not be able to turn the subtitles off.

Unattended timer recordings

Most set-top boxes have a timer feature. This means you can programme the set-top box to switch itself on, so you can record a programme while you are out. You will need to make sure that your VCR or DVD recorder is programmed to come on at the same time and is set to the AV channel that the set-top box is plugged into.

Freeview set-top boxes that can record

It is possible to buy set-top boxes combined with personal video recorders (PVRs). Instead of tapes, PVRs record onto a non-removable disk inside the player.

One example is the Humax PVR-8000T/80 which allows you to record Freeview channels with subtitles. It has 40 hours of recording time and costs £170 (including VAT). Subtitles are recorded in closed format, which means that when you play the recording back, you can choose whether or not to watch with subtitles. You may wish to keep some programmes you’ve recorded permanently, in which case you can transfer them to a normal (VHS tape) video recorder or DVD recorder connected to the PVR through a scart lead.

The Daewoo VHS video tape recorder (SetPal-VCR SV-900) is a VCR that can receive Freeview and records subtitled programmes in open format onto standard VHS tapes. It costs £164.50 (including VAT).

The Sony RDR-GXD500 DVD recorder receives Freeview and records subtitles in open format. It costs around £400 (including VAT).

This is a very fast moving field of consumer electronics so we can expect to see many new products coming to the shops.

Reception problems

Sometimes, the picture may freeze or go into tiny blocks. You may need to replace your TV aerial for a new 'wideband' one to improve reception. Your television retailer or the Confederation of Aerial Installers should be able to put you in touch a reputable television aerial installer.

Freeview

Broadcast Centre, (BC3 D5), 201 Wood Lane, London W12 7TP
Telephone: 08708 80 99 80
Website: www.freeview.co.uk/ (external link, opens new browser window)

Top Up TV

PO Box 801, Kirkcaldy, Fife KY2 6WW
Telephone: 08712 712 712
Email: enquiries@topuptv.com
Website: www.topuptv.com/ (external link, opens new browser window)

Sky digital (digital satellite television)

Sky digital gives you the widest choices of channels (more than 100) and subscription packages, including sports and movie channels. Sky digital is available throughout the whole of the UK. 

How do I receive Sky Digital?

You can do this by subscribing to one of the Sky digital packages. Prices vary but include the cost of the small satellite dish that is fitted to a wall outside your home and the Sky digibox that plugs into the television. The cost also includes installation by a Sky engineer. Some idTVs can also receive Sky without the need for a Sky digibox. Check with Sky for further details.

There is also a non-subscription option called 'free-to-view'. This includes BBC1 and BBC2 and other channels (check with Sky for the latest details). However, with the free-to-view option you have to pay for the Sky digibox, satellite dish and installation.

Subtitles on Sky

To access subtitles on Sky:

How much does Sky cost?

The cost for the different packages often changes and for first-time subscribers there are often incentives. Contact Sky or look at the Sky website to view the latest offers.

Recording subtitles on Sky digital

Sky+

This is a subscription-only package that allows you to record the TV channels on Sky with subtitles. Sky+ box is a set-top box combined with an advanced personal video recorder (PVR). You can set this to automatically record your favourite programmes using the Sky programme guide (EPG – electronic programme guide) which appears on the TV screen when selected from the Sky+ remote control. The Sky+ box will also let you 'pause' and 'rewind' live television and record up to 20 hours of programmes on to its built-in hard disk drive. The Sky+ box can record a programme with subtitles while allowing you to watch another programme with subtitles at the same time.

Contact Sky or look at the Sky website for the most up-to-date information on how much the Sky+ package costs. 

Sky digital

Telephone: 08702 404040
Email: skydigital@sky.com
Website: www.sky.com (external link, opens new browser window)

Sky accessibility service team

Telephone: 08705 663333
Textphone: 08702 401910
Fax: 01383 815312
Email: accessibility@bskyb.com
Website: www.sky.com/accessibility (external link, opens new browser window)

Cable television

You need to sign up to your local cable TV company, who will offer various subscription packages. The main cable providers are:

To find out which cable TV company operates in your area, look in Yellow Pages. When you subscribe to cable TV, part of the subscription payment includes the rental for the cable set-top box. This plugs into the scart socket on your TV.

Subtitles on cable television

Subtitles are available on most cable services. Contact your cable operator for more information.

Kingston Communications (Hull)

Telephone: 01482 602100
Fax: 01482 219289
Website: www.kingstoncommunications.com/ (external link, opens new browser window)

NTL Home

Telephone: 0800 183 0123
Website: www.ntlhome.com/ (external link, opens new browser window)

Telewest

Telephone: 0845 142 0220
Website: www.telewest.co.uk/ (external link, opens new browser window)

WightCable (Isle of Wight)

56 Love Lane, Cowes, Isle of Wight PO31 7EU
Telephone: 01983 295 050
Fax: 01983 242 486
Email: enquiries@wightcable.com
Website: www.wightcable.com/ (external link, opens new browser window)

WightCableNorth (West of Scotland)

Telephone: 08000 706 150
Email: customercare@wightcablenorth.net
Website: www.wightcablenorth.com/ (external link, opens new browser window)

Problems with subtitles

Not all programmes have subtitles, so check your television guide first!

If you have problems with poor reception on analogue or Freeview contact the Confederation of Aerial Industries (CAI), Fulton House Business Centre, Fulton Road, Wembley Park, Middlesex HA9 0TF
Telephone: 020 8902 8998
Fax: 020 8903 8719
Email: office@cai.org.uk  
Website: www.cai.org.uk (external link, opens new browser window)

If subtitles do not appear at all, or disappear during a programme, this is probably due to a problem with the broadcaster, so make a note of the channel, time and programme and contact the relevant channel.

You can take your complaint further by contacting the regulator for commercial television, Ofcom. Ofcom sets and maintains standards for programmes, advertising and technical quality. Ofcom does not regulate any of the BBC channels so you should take any complaints about these directly to the BBC.

BBC channels

BBC Access Services, Room 430a, Design Building, Television Centre, Wood Lane, London W12 7RJ
Telephone: 020 8225 6521
Textphone: 0208 743 9419
Fax: 020 8752 7059
Email: subtitling@bbc.co.uk

ITV companies

There are 15 regional ITV companies. For information about their programmes and details for each company, contact:
Duty Office, Gas Street, Birmingham B1 2JT
Telephone: 0870 600 6766
Textphone: 0870 241 6346
Fax: 0121 634 4606
Monday to Fridays, 8am-11pm, Saturdays and Sundays, 10am-10pm, closed on bank holidays.
Email: dutyoffice@itv.com
Website: www.itv.com/ (external link, opens new browser window)

Channel 4

Viewer Enquiries, Channel 4, 124 Horseferry Road, London SW1P 2TX
Telephone: 0207 306 8333
Textphone: 0207 306 8691
Fax: 0207 306 8347
Monday to Friday, 9am-9pm, Saturdays, 11am-9pm, Sundays and bank holidays, 10am-6pm (closed 1pm-2pm).
Email: viewerenquiries@channel4.co.uk
Website: www.channel4.com/ (external link, opens new browser window)

Channel 5

Duty Office, Channel 5, 22 Long Acre, London WC2E 9LY
Telephone: 08457 050505
Textphone: 08457 413787
Fax: 020 7550 5678
Email: dutyoffice@channel5.co.uk
Website: www.five.tv (external link, opens new browser window)

Ofcom

Ofcom Contact Centre, Riverside House, 2a Southwark Bridge Road, London SE1 9HA
Telephone: 0845 456 3000 or 070 7981 3040
Fax: 0845 456 3333
Email: contact@ofcom.org.uk
Website: www.ofcom.org.uk (external link, opens new browser window)

Subtitles on DVDs

Many films released on DVD have subtitles. Some DVDs have subtitles especially for deaf people. These are more descriptive – they describe a particular noise or the type of music playing – so it is easier for you to follow the film you are watching. You can check by looking at the back of the DVD box, where it should list what subtitles are available.

How to access subtitles on DVDs

When you play a DVD, an introduction menu will usually appear on the screen, showing the title of the film. If subtitles are available, you need to select the Subtitles option before you play the film. Another menu may appear if the subtitles are available in more than one language.

You may also find the website www.dvd-subtitles.com/ (external link, opens new browser window) useful. It gives detailed subtitling information for many popular DVD releases.

Subtitles on pre-recorded videotapes

Many pre-recorded videos have subtitles for deaf people. These are specially coded subtitles called 'closed-caption subtitles'. To find out if the pre-recorded video tapes you want to rent or buy has closed caption subtitles, make sure it has the closed caption symbol on the video storage box.

To display the subtitles, you will need a closed caption decoder. This is sometimes called a video caption reader or video reader. Closed caption decoders are easy to install. They have cables that plug into your television and video recorder. People who do not have a closed caption decoder can watch the same video but will not see the subtitles.

What if the DVD or videotape doesn't have subtitles?

If the DVD or pre-recorded video you are watching doesn't have subtitles, contact the British Video Association.
British Video Association, 167 Great Portland Street, London W1N 5FD
Telephone: 0207 436 0041
Fax: 0207 436 0043
Email: general@bva.org.uk
Website: www.bva.org.uk (external link, opens new browser window)

Further information from RNID

We offer a wide range of information on many aspects of deafness and hearing loss. Contact us for further copies of this factsheet and the full range of our information factsheets and leaflets.

RNID Information Line

RNID Information Line, 19-23 Featherstone Street, London EC1Y 8SL
Telephone: 0808 808 0123
Textphone: 0808 808 9000
Fax: 020 7296 8199
Email: informationline@rnid.org.uk

Buying equipment from RNID

RNID Products sells a range of equipment for deaf people. Visit the RNID Shop to buy some of the equipment online. Alternatively, send off for a copy of the RNID Sound Advantage Solutions catalogue.

RNID Products, 1 Haddonbrook Business Centre, Orton Southgate, Peterborough PE2 6YX
Telephone: 0870 789 8855
Textphone: 01733 238 020
Fax: 0870 789 8822
Email: solutions@rnid.org.uk
Website: www.rnid.org.uk/shop (external link, opens new browser window)