Audio description (AD) is a spoken narration of the visual elements of a program such as such as scenes, settings, actions and costumes. During gaps in the program’s dialogue, these elements are described. This service is particularly beneficial to people who are blind and vision-impaired.
Which SBS channels does SBS provide audio description on?
Audio description is available on selected programming on SBS SD, SBS HD, SBS VICELAND, NITV, and SBS World Movies.
What kind of programs are audio described?
SBS tries to select the widest possible range of programs and genres, however in general, audio description is most appropriate for dramas, documentaries and movies, which have sufficient gaps in dialogue for the insertion of audio description.
News and sport have insufficient gaps in the spoken elements and are therefore not suitable for audio description.
Programs with audio description are listed in the Audio Described Programming schedule on the SBS website.
SBS also provides details of program schedules to Blind Citizens Australia on a weekly basis. These schedules can be accessed via this BCA phone line: 1800 033 660.
Is audio description available on SBS On Demand?
Audio description is not currently available on SBS On Demand.
How many hours does SBS broadcast each week?
To the greatest extent possible SBS schedules regular slots each week that have audio description. Since the service launched in mid-2020, SBS has been broadcasting on average at least of 14 hours of audio described programming per week, but now regularly broadcasts more than 14 hours per week across SBS, SBS VICELAND, NITV, and SBS World Movies.
You can find more information on how to access Audio Description on SBS here.