Public broadcaster SBS has lifted the amount of audio description content for SBS On Demand, delivering improved accessibility such as blind and low vision login via its website.
It will be available with end-to-end accessibility via the web, and roll out across other platforms such as app, CTV, Apple and Android over 2025, with more than 500 titles in the SBS On Demand catalogue.
Shows such as Dateline, Barrumbi Kids, Going Places with Ernie Dingo, Four Years Later, news and current affairs, children’s, documentary and drama programming will feature enhanced audio description services, with auditory narrations of visual elements and the website optimised for assistive technologies.
SBS claims to be an industry leader in providing accessible media services to Australian audiences, with more than 29,000 hours of subtitles, closed captioning, audio description and Auslan content made available on SBS, NITV and SBS On Demand in financial year 2023–24.
“Every week we produce up to 27 hours of new audio described programming, regularly working with blind and low vision partners for script review and casting culturally appropriate voices, including Indigenous voices,” SBS corporate affairs director, Clare O’Neil said.
The SBS On Demand website is optimised to be used with Jaws, NVDA, VoiceOver and TalkBack assistive technologies. The dedicated AD collection features more than 500 TV shows and movies available here.