Deaf News: Ofcom asks Deaf people to respond to consultation on BSL on TV

Ofcom is asking whether the choices that broadcasters can make regarding sign language on TV should stay the same, or change.

The British Sign Language Broadcasting Trust (BSLBT) has been delivering sign language programmes since 2009. How did this come about? It is based on audience numbers.

Click play to get this information in BSL.

There are about 50 TV channels with an audience share between 0.05% and 1%. These are channels like Sky One, Dave and the Disney Channel.

Since 1 January 2009, the broadcasters of these channels have been able to choose whether:

• To show programmes (like the BBC’s See Hear) presented in sign language (a minimum of 30 minutes a month), or:
• Give money towards the making of sign-presented programmes shown on other channels (a minimum of £20,000).

Almost all these broadcasters choose to give money to the British Sign Language Broadcasting Trust, which has produced sign language programmes for the BSL Zone.

These programmes include Who Cares?, The Hub, Four Deaf Yorkshiremen Go To Blackpool and many others.

Ofcom is asking whether the choices that broadcasters can make should stay the same, or change.

What do you think? Let them know.

Ofcom are asking several questions. You can find these in the consultation document published on their website, by clicking here.

There is a BSL summary of their consultation, which you can see above, or by clicking here.