On January 13th, the FCC published a report and order covering Video Description as part of the Twenty-First Century  Communications and Video Accessibility Act (CVAA).  This act looks to re-instate the previous Video Description Legislation which was first adopted and then abandoned in 2000.  The new legislation requires that broadcasters and service providers ensure the availability of Video Description to end users.

At Softel, we can provide guidance on how you can successfully comply with this new legislation quickly and efficiently and without adding complexity to your workflow. Our Swift ADePT video description software facilitates the preparation and creation of an additional narrated audio track describing the visual elements of each scene, including accurate timing.

We have extensive experience in video description for sight impaired audiences and our expert engineers can provide you with useful information on how to implement the new mandates, give us a ring on 203 354 4602.

 

Below is a high level summary of this legislation – effective from 1st July 2012:

•  Commercial Television broadcasters that are in the top four networks (ABC, CBS, Fox and NBC) and that are licensed in one of the top 25 Designated Market Areas (DMAs) must provide 50 hours of video described programming per quarter.  By 1st July 2015 this is extended to the top 60 DMAs.

 

• Multichannel Video Programming Distributors (MVPD) who deliver content to over 50K subscribers must also deliver 50 hours of video description per quarter on each channel they carry classified as one of the top 5 national non-broadcast networks.

 

• Television broadcast stations that are affiliated or generally associated with the above channels must provide Video Descriptions where technically possible.

 

• To meet its quota, each MVPD and Broadcaster can only count each program it airs with video description twice for each channel.

 

• To be included in the count programs must be either aired in prime time or be children’s programming.

 

• Once a commercial television broadcast station has aired a particular video description, it is required to include video description for all subsequent retransmissions.

 

• The evaluation of which channels and markets are in the top tiers will be reviewed periodically, and newly promoted channels will be given time to comply.  Certainly networks whose content is in the predominantly live or near live, for example ESPN, is exempt.

 

IP delivered content is not covered, but the commission plans to create a working group to consider its inclusion in the future.

The goal of this document is to be advisory only.  Softel does make any statements regarding the validity of the above document and advises that legal advice be sought before acting on the contained information.

 

At Softel, we can provide guidance on how you can successfully comply with this new legistlation quickly and efficiently and without adding complexity to your workflow. Our Swift ADePT video description software facilitates the preparation and creation of an additional narrated audio track describing the visual elements of each scene, including accurate timing.

We have extensive experience in video description for sight impaired audiences and our expert engineers can provide you with useful information on how to implement the new mandate, give us a ring on 203 354 4602.