On November 30, 2023, the FCC’s Media Bureau released two Public Notices about audio description.
The first Public Notice reminds broadcast television stations about the audio description requirements adopted in its October 27, 2020 Audio Description Report and Order and expanded in its October 17, 2023 Audio Description Report and Order. The 2023 Report and Order expanded the audio description requirements by phasing them in for an additional 10 designated market areas (DMAs) each year until all DMAs are included. The PN reminds television broadcasters that the audio description rules next will extend to DMAs 91 through 100 on January 1, 2024.
The second Public Notice announces the national nonbroadcast networks rankings for the fourth triennial update, which will occur on July 1, 2024. The rankings are based on Nielsen Company ratings during the 2022-2023 ratings year and are used to determine the top five nonbroadcast networks that will be subject to the Commission’s audio description requirements. The top ten nonbroadcast networks for the 2022-2023 ratings year are: Fox News Channel, ESPN, MSNBC, HGTV, Hallmark, TLC, TNT, TBS, Discovery, and History.
Links to Audio Description Reminder Public Notice:
Word: https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/DA-23-1120A1.docx
PDF:https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/DA-23-1120A1.pdf
Text: https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/DA-23-1120A1.txt
Links to Audio Description Network Rankings Public Notice:
Word: https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/DA-23-1119A1.docx
PDF: https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/DA-23-1119A1.pdf
Text: https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/DA-23-1119A1.txt
For general information about audio description, please visit: https://www.fcc.gov/audio-description. For more information about the Public Notices, contact Diana Sokolow, Policy Division, Media Bureau, (202) 418-2120, email Diana.Sokolow@fcc.gov. Individuals who use videophones and are fluent in American Sign Language (ASL) may call the FCC’s ASL Consumer Support Line at (844) 432-2275 (videophone).