On August 18, 2021, the FCC granted a limited waiver of the Commission’s audio description rules to Warner Media and its subsidiary, TBS.
The waiver is conditioned on the TBS network airing at least 1,000 hours of audio described programming (and more than 1,400 hours of audio described programming on average) during any quarter in which it is unable to meet the minimum hour threshold in the Commission’s rules, without regard to the number of repeats. Additionally, Warner Media asserts that it will provide audio description for 100 percent of newly produced, non-live programming aired during certain core hours on TBS, TNT, and TruTV. This commitment exceeds the Commission’s audio description requirements, and the waiver petition is unopposed by consumer groups.
Memorandum Opinion and Order:
URL: https://www.fcc.gov/document/media-bureau-grants-tbs-audio-description-limited-waiver
Word: https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/DA-21-1013A1.docx
PDF: https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/DA-21-1013A1.pdf
Text: https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/DA-21-1013A1.txt
Link to TBS's Petition:
PDF: https://ecfsapi.fcc.gov/file/1033117341846/TBS%20Waiver%20Request%20(03.31.21).pdf
For general information about audio description, visit https://www.fcc.gov/audio-description. For specific questions about this Public Notice, please contact Michael Scurato at (202) 418-2083 or by email at Michael.Scurato@fcc.gov. Individuals who use videophones and are ASL-fluent may call the FCC’s ASL Consumer Support Line at (844) 432-2275 (videophone).