4Viewers

Subtitled, Audio Described and Signed programming

Channel 4 is committed to providing a range of access services across our channels and programming

Subtitled programming

On our TV channels

This section provides details of our 2023 commitment to subtitled programming and what we achieved in 2022, in line with our yearly quota from Ofcom.  

 
Channel 2023 Ofcom requirement C4's 2023 commitment 2022 Quota achieved
Channel 4 90% 100%

99.9%

E4 80% 100% 100%
Film4 80% 100% 99.95%
More4 80% 100% 100%
4seven 80% 100% 100%
E4 Extra 80% TBC N/A

 

Subtitling on Channel 4 streaming - FAQs for our video on demand service

When content has subtitles available, they will have an 'S' icon present in the playback menu. Subtitles can be activated from the playback menu by selecting the icon or from within accessibility settings within your device. Android users cannot currently customise the appearance of subtitles.

Subtitled content be found across our platforms. If subtitles are available an "S" button will be visible on the video player bar. Click on the "S" and the subtitles will load and display.

Subtitles are currently supported on the channel4.com website, the iPhone/iPad app (for streaming), a number of Android mobile and tablet apps (for downloads and streaming), YouView, PS4, Amazon Fire, Freeview Play, Samsung devices and on our content available on Sky.

We take accessibility seriously and whilst we aim to subtitle as much content as possible, unfortunately, not everything on  demand will carry subtitles. In particular, this could be some of our older content that was subtitled live on our linear services or where the version of a programme differs to the one originally broadcast.

If you have hearing loss, more recent videos have subtitles which can be accessed from within the playback menu and will be indicated with an 'S' Icon.

Click on the "S" button in the video player (once the ads have played) and subtitles for the programme will load. If the "S" button is not displayed, this means that no subtitles are available for that programme.

For the best subtitle experience on channel4.com with live TV (i.e. Channel 4, More4, E4, Film4, 4Seven) please see our recommended browsers for more details.

Most of our recent content will have subtitles available, if subtitles are available, there will be a 'S' icon on the video. Subtitles are activated by selecting the subtitles icon with your remote control.

Audio settings can be adjusted via your TV /Monitor or PC settings.

Most of our recent content will have subtitles available, if subtitles are available, there will be a 'S' icon on the video. Subtitles are activated by selecting the subtitles icon.

Audio settings can be adjusted via your mobile, tablet or desktop PC settings

Audio Described programming

On our TV channels

This section provides details of our 2023 commitment to audio described programming and what we achieved in 2022, in line with our yearly quota from Ofcom. 

 
Channel 2023 Ofcom requirement C4's 2023 commitment 2022 Quota achieved
Channel 4 10% 45% 47.53%
E4 10% 45% 74.59%
Film4 10% 45% 44.88%
More4 10% 45% 45.76%
4seven 10% 45% 46.88%
E4 Extra 10% TBC N/A


Upcoming audio described programmes on our channels

See the upcoming listing here

Audio Description on Channel 4 streaming – FAQs for our video on demand service

Audio Description is not currently available within the YouView App but is available on some content at channel4.com, Android and iOs.

Audio Description is not currently available on Amazon Fire TV but is available on some content on channel4.com, Android and iOS.  For details of programmes featuring audio description see our website channel4.com/programmes/categories/audio-described.

 

Audio description is currently available on some content on the Android app, represented by an 'AD' icon within the playback menu. This will allow audio feedback for visually impaired users giving extra description of what is happening on screen, sometimes during the dialogue. Select the logo to enable audio description.

iPhone and iPad now support AD on streaming content. Where available, there will be an AD button displayed on the player.

Audio description is currently available on some content on the channel4.com website, represented by an 'AD' icon within the playback menu. This will allow audio feedback for visually impaired users giving extra description of what is happening on screen, sometimes during the dialogue. Select the logo to enable audio description. See the available audio described programming on Channel 4.

Signed programming

On our TV channels

This section provides details of our 2023 commitment to signed programming and what we achieved in 2022, in line with our yearly quota from Ofcom. 

 
Channel 2023 Ofcom requirement C4's 2023 commitment 2022 Quota achieved
Channel 4 5% 10% 10.32%
E4 5% 10% 10.35%
Film4 BSLBT Contribution BSLBT Contribution BSLBT Contribution
More4 BSLBT Contribution BSLBT Contribution BSLBT Contribution
4seven BSLBT Contribution BSLBT Contribution BSLBT Contribution
E4 Extra BSLBT Contribution BSLBT Contribution BSLBT Contribution

 

Upcoming signed programmes on our channels

See the upcoming listings here

 

BSL Zone

Channel 4 supports The British Sign Language Broadcasting Trust (BSLBT) who commission television programmes made in British Sign Language by Deaf people for Deaf people. For information on available programming go to the BSL Zone website (Opens in new window) for further details.

Signing on Channel 4 streaming - our video on demand service

Any signed content on Channel4.com will carry the [BSL] icon. We also screen 1 x signed programme weekly on Film4 - for further details please have a look at the BSL Zone website (Opens in new window)

And we publish a listing weekly of programmes on our channels that will feature signing HERE

If you'd like to provide some feedback...

We hope you enjoy the programmes that we audio describe and sign and would welcome any feedback that you would like to provide: 

By phone:  0345 076 0191

(Minicom: 0345 073 0059)

Via a BSL Interpreter - for details follow this link 

Or via email via our Contact Us Form available via this link

Our opening hours are:
10am to 7pm Monday to Friday
10am to 6pm Saturday
10am to 4pm on Sunday