ITVX looks to become ‘most accessible streaming service’ following ITV Hub subtitling issues (BSL)

ITV has revealed its plans to make ITVX the “most accessible streaming service”, after the now-defunct ITV Hub experienced multiple issues with displaying subtitles for Deaf viewers.

Officially launching on Thursday, ITVX will offer subtitles for over 90% of its programmes, available to watch on mobile apps, desktop browsers, Smart TVs and plug-in devices.

Meanwhile, British Sign Language (BSL) versions of programmes will not be available on catch-up from launch, due to a specific technical problem the broadcaster says won’t be resolved until early next year.

ITVX will instead offer signed content on a special FAST (free ad-supported TV) channel, with popular shows such as Broadchurch, Cilla and Alan Carr’s Epic Gameshow available with BSL interpretation.

For viewers watching live TV on ITVX, subtitles will be available on ITV’s mobile apps, web browsers and the majority of connected TV devices. They will not yet be accessible for those watching live content via Freeview, YouView, Freesat or Chromecast.

The increase in live TV subtitling on ITV’s streaming service comes after viewers pointed out the “irony” of the broadcaster failing to provide live subtitles on some devices for the first episode of this summer’s Love Island, which had its first deaf contestant in the form of dancer Tasha Ghouri.

David Padmore, director of accessibility at ITV, said: “For ITVX, we are making sure subtitles are available on all platforms and devices for the vast majority of our huge on-demand catalogue.

“We’ve added over 10,000 hours of subtitling and audio description to the platform this year alone.

“We have a world first in our ITV Signed BSL FAST channel with exciting plans to develop this channel further next year. We will add BSL VOD as a top priority post-launch.

“We have the ambition to make ITVX the most accessible streaming service. We know we still have work to do, but accessibility is a core principle of the product.”

ITVX can be accessed via itv.com, with feedback and questions welcomed at accessibility@itv.com.

Photo: ITV.

By Liam O’Dell. Liam is an award-winning Deaf freelance journalist and campaigner from Bedfordshire. He can be found talking about disability, theatre, politics and more on Twitter and on his website.