Ofcom has published its second report on the quality of live subtitles in UK TV programmes.
The report shows that broadcasters are beginning to make improvements in some areas of subtitling. However, it finds that some issues – such as the delays between speech and the corresponding subtitle appearing on screen, known as latency – remain a problem.
Ofcom welcomes the fact that broadcasters are now making greater use of block subtitles in live programmes. These allow several words to appear at once as a single block and are easier and quicker for viewers to read than scrolling subtitles.
Last year, Ofcom required broadcasters to start measuring the quality of live TV subtitles. This work is intended to identify areas where broadcasters can improve subtitles to benefit viewers.
The report is the second of four Ofcom is publishing over two years. Each report samples data from broadcasters on the quality of live TV subtitles – measuring their accuracy, speed and latency. The first report was published in April 2014.
The latest report finds that delays in subtitles reaching the screen continue to be a problem for viewers. For example, when programmes with live subtitles have frequent changes of scene – such as on Channel 4’s Gogglebox – viewers can find it difficult to know which scene the subtitles relate to.
Poor latency is one of the most frustrating aspects of live subtitling for TV viewers, who say that these delays result in a disjointed viewing experience.
Samples from BBC, ITV, Channel 4, Channel 5 and Sky programmes showed that the average (median) latency was 5.8 seconds, which exceeds the recommended guideline of a maximum 3 seconds delay. This is a 0.2 second increase in average latency since our first report.
Delays of up to 21 seconds were recorded, and only four samples out of the 72 measured had a median latency of less than 3 seconds.
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Linda Richards
November 11, 2014
So, on the face of it, subtitlers have two years to improve things? Wow.
Some of those broadcasters don’t do their own subtitles – they have sub-contracted the work out to other companies. Three of the broadcasters mentioned have their subtitles supplied by the same firm. But the onus for the provision of subtitles does lie with the broadcasters.
What’s being done by Ofcom about quality control into BSL interpretation/translation on TV? When will they conduct a review and critical analysis of the ‘service’ we Deaf people are receiving?
The thing that saddens me about this news is that it needs an Ofcom review before broadcasters will do anything. Worse, that since the review started, the ‘latency’ of subtitles has got worse!
it’s just not our year is it?
pennybsl
November 11, 2014
Not only what Linda Richards said above, it is also a sad fact that many channels try to cram in as many spoken dialogues – words squashed together in ‘machine-gun’ speed by commenters / presenters – per minute, causing huge sacrifices in clear subtitling.
As most news tend to repeat or waffle along, many TV viewers – not only older people, but of all ages – they DO PREFER slower and clearer presented language with sufficient time to see the images and allow the words to ‘sink in’ their consciousness.
Live subtitles are IMPORTANT like news headlines – Deaf TV viewers do not need to put up with subtitle errors, blanks, clangers on a daily (or should we say, hourly??) basis.
It embarrasses us Deaf TV viewers to be on the receiving end of critical remarks by our hearing counterparts who see the ‘live access’, we pay our licence fees, subscriptions and everything else which pays the broadcasters, we deserve better.
Companies who provide subtitles need Deaf & HoH monitors – a sure method of maintaining quality and audience loyalty.
Daphne Rose
November 11, 2014
Pity they don’t put subtitles on TV catch up as well!
m
November 11, 2014
Very surprised to see good quality subtitling in Australia compared to UK. Makes me wonder why..plus the fact SKY is the worse offenders for not providing subtitles in major hotels is annoying. I often get irated with report finding led by hearing peers.