Comments on: Closed-captioning and cable TV.

Question: Closed-captioning and cable TV.

desjardins — Mon, 26 Nov 2007 08:28:27 -0800

The FCC seems to indicate that broadcasters are required to include closed captioning, at least for new programming, but I have purchased several very recent movies on cable that lack closed captioning. How are the cable companies getting around these requirements? Why is closed captioning so inconsistent?

If I rent a recent movie (last 10 years) from the local video store, it will almost always be closed-captioned. If I watch it on regular cable TV, there is a very good chance it will be captioned. If I PAY for it on cable TV (Comcast's On Demand service), it's a total crapshoot. What the heck? Lack of captioning makes the movie essentially worthless to me (I am hearing-impaired).

By: Tomorrowful

Tomorrowful — Mon, 26 Nov 2007 08:31:42 -0800

For the very simple reason that cable is not 'broadcasted,' and the FCC doesn't regulate it.

By: Tomorrowful

Tomorrowful — Mon, 26 Nov 2007 08:42:43 -0800

...and since I didn't read the link, I may be completely wrong about that. My bad.

By: aerotive

aerotive — Mon, 26 Nov 2007 09:12:54 -0800

"Cable video-on-demand services are considered channels by the FCC, yet they have a spotty track record on captioning. A Comcast representative said its VOD offerings are exempt from FCC requirements, citing the four-year exemption for new channels."

From:

http://www.tvweek.com/news/2007/06/closed_captioning_excluded_dig.php

In other words, more Comcast bullshit.