FCC reminds TV broadcasters of new audio description rules

The FCC’s Media Bureau has issued a reminder to TV broadcasters in DMAs 81 to 90 that new audio description rules will be phased in on January 1, 2023.

The new rules are part of the 2020 Audio Description Order, which was adopted in October of 2020 and expanded the Commission’s audio description rules.

The FCC’s audio description rules require certain television broadcast stations and multichannel video programming distributors (MVPDs) to provide audio description for a portion of the video programming they televise to consumers. The 2020 Audio Description Order expanded the availability of audio description by phasing the requirements in for an additional 10 designated market areas (DMAs) each year for four years, the FCC noted.

As part of the phase-in process, the Commission’s audio description rules extended to DMAs 61 through 70 as of January 1, 2021, and to DMAs 71 through 80 on January 1, 2022.

As set forth in the 2020 Audio Description Order, the expansion of the audio description rules applies to the relevant DMAs as determined by The Nielsen Company as of January 1, 2020, the FCC said.

As part of the reminder, the FCC noted that broadcasters can request materials in accessible formats for people with disabilities (Braille, large print, electronic files, audio format).