Some channels will be required to broadcast subtitles across more of their output in the coming year, as Ofcom confirms requirements for 2025.
- Warner Bros Discovery (WBD) owned channels including Quest will be required to subtitle 80% of their output.
- 82 channels will need to meet Ofcom’s full requirements for subtitles, audio description and in-vision signing. S4C in Wales has a lower obligation.
- But CNN and the True Crime channel will no longer be required to offer access services including subtitles and audio description.
Ofcom’s annual review of broadcasters to determine whether or not they should offer viewers access services has concluded that WBD’s channels will be required to carry more subtitles than before.
WBD, the owner of channels including Discovery, Quest and Really was previously obligated to offer subtitles across 33% of each channel’s programme hours. From 1st January 2025, this quota increases to 80% of hours – Ofcom’s definition of ‘full requirement’.
And Sky will be obligated to meet Ofcom’s full requirements across nine of its cinema channels from 2025, up from six in 2024. Sky Cinema Drama & Romance, Sky Cinema Hits plus Sky Cinema Sci-Fi & Horror* will be required to carry more subtitles than before. But Sky Cinema Comedy and Sky Cinema Thriller remain exempt.
Ofcom is required to review which broadcasters must carry access services – which include subtitles, in-vision signing and audio description – under the Communications Act 2003. The annual review looks at the audience share and revenues of each channel. Smaller channels are therefore exempt from requirements.
A total of 82 channels will be required to meet Ofcom’s ‘full requirements’ or “Level 1” quota. That’s up from 70 Level 1 channels last year. One channel – S4C- will be required to meet Ofcom’s Level 2 quota (a full list and definition is found below).
Channels no longer required to carry access services in 2025
As a result, the rebranded CBS Reality channel, now known as True Crime, is no longer required by Ofcom to carry subtitles. However, the channel’s owner, the CBS AMC UK Channel Partnership, may still do so voluntarily.
News channel CNN International is also no longer required to subtitle programmes. Among the BBC’s channels, Ofcom has delisted BBC Parliament from the channels obligated to carry access services from 2025. However, the BBC has a target of subtitling all programmes.
▶ Overview: Channels required to provide subtitles, audio description and in-vision signing in 2025
Level 1 channels (full requirement)
For any channel that’s been on air for more than 10 years, “full requirement” means 10% of programmes must carry audio description. 5% of programmes must be available with in-vision signing. BBC channels have a 100% subtitles target. ITV, STV, UTV and Channel 4 must offer subtitles on 90% of their programmes. All other channels must offer subtitles during at least 80% of their programme hours.
| BBC One | Nick Jr 2 | Sky Sports Mix |
| BBC Two | Sky Arts | Sky Sports News |
| BBC Three | Sky Atlantic | Sky Sports Premier League |
| BBC Four | Sky Cinema Action & Adventure | Sky Witness |
| BBC News | Sky Cinema Animation | Challenge |
| BBC Scotland | Sky Cinema Drama & Romance | Movies 24 |
| CBBC | Sky Cinema Family | Alibi |
| CBeebies | Sky Cinema Greats | Gold |
| Channel 3 services (ITV1, STV, UTV) | Sky Cinema Hits | U&Dave |
| ITV2 | Sky Cinema Premiere | U&Drama |
| ITV3 | Sky Cinema Sci-Fi and Horror | U&W |
| ITV4 | Sky Cinema Select | U&Yesterday |
| ITVBe | Sky Comedy | TNT Sports 1 |
| Channel 4 | Sky Crime | TNT Sports 2 |
| 4seven | Sky Documentaries | TNT Sports 3 |
| E4 | Sky Max | Discovery |
| E4 Extra | Sky Mix | Discovery History |
| Film 4 | Sky Nature | Discovery Turbo |
| More 4 | Sky News | DMAX |
| Channel 5 | Sky Sci-Fi | Food Network |
| 5Action | Sky Showcase | HGTV |
| 5Select | Sky Sports Action | Investigation Discovery |
| 5Star | Sky Sports Arena | Quest |
| 5USA | Sky Sports Cricket | Quest Red |
| Comedy Central | Sky Sports F1 | Really |
| Comedy Central Extra | Sky Sports Football | TLC |
| MTV | Sky Sports Golf | |
| Nick Jr | Sky Sports Main Event |
Level 2 (full requirements for signing and audio description; 66% of subtitling)
| S4C |
Level 3 (full requirements for signing and audio description; 33% of subtitling)
None
NOTE: Channels with smaller audience shares have the option to pay Ofcom, instead of offering their own signed programmes. The money goes towards providing programmes on the BSL Zone on Film4, Together TV and bslzone.co.uk.
By: Marc Thornham | Image: subtitles on BBC One – screengrab
*Sky Cinema channels occasionally rebrand to mark special seasons of movies. Their standard names are listed here.