Why Is My TV Narrating? Quick Fixes and Understanding Audio Description

Understanding Audio Description: Why Your TV is Narrating

Understanding Audio Description

Audio description is audio-narrated descriptions of a television program’s key visual elements. These descriptions are inserted into natural pauses in the program’s dialogue, making TV programming more accessible to individuals who are blind or visually impaired.

In 2020, the FCC announced expanded audio description requirements. Specifically, audio description is required for an additional 10 designated market areas (DMAs) each year for the next four years. Consequently, the audio description requirements extended to DMAs 101 through 110 on January 1, 2025, and to DMAs 111 through 120 on January 1, 2026.

Furthermore, the availability of audio description is subject to FCC rules. Local TV station s of ABC, CBS, Fox, and NBC located in the top 110 TV markets are required to provide 87.5 hours per calendar quarter (about 7 hours per week) of audio-described programming. This includes 50 hours that must be prime time and/or children’s programming, while 37.5 hours may be any type of programming shown between 6:00 a.m. and midnight.

Audio description is provided through the TV or set-top box ‘secondary audio’ feature, which some TV controls identify as ‘SAP’ or ‘secondary audio program.’ In some cases, the secondary audio may also be identified as a language feature, such as ‘Spanish’ or ‘SPA,’ as it is also used to provide translations of English language TV programs.

• Programs with Audio Description are indicated with (AD) on ABC TV’s electronic program guide.
• If you are hearing an extra narrator describing the action or setting in a show you’re watching, you may be hearing the Audio Description Service or Descriptive Video Service (DVS). This is primarily aimed at audiences who are blind or visually impaired.
• Importantly, Audio Description provides a scripted narrator who speaks between existing dialogue to describe on-screen visuals. It is a secondary audio track with additional narration that describes significant visual information in a video, designed specifically for viewers needing assistance in understanding the visual context of the programming.
• If you’re hearing Audio Description, it’s because you have turned this feature on, possibly inadvertently. It is not a transmission fault.
• Like Closed Captions, Audio Description can be turned on or off using your TV settings, although the process may differ depending on your TV brand and model, remote control, and settings menus.

Quick Fix: How to Disable Voice Guide on Your TV

To disable the Voice Guide on your TV, follow these steps:

1. Open Settings on your TV and navigate to Accessibility to turn off narration.
• Some TVs, like Sony, may have multiple narration features. These include ‘Audio Description,’ ‘TalkBack,’ and ‘Screen Reader.’
2. Press the Home button on your remote.
• This will minimize any app you’re currently using and show your Home screen.
• Navigate to Settings by pressing the Left Navigation button until the Settings tile is highlighted, then press Select.
• Select General and then Accessibility.
• Inside the Voice Guide Settings menu, press Select again to turn it off.
3. If you have a Smart Remote, press and hold the +/- (Volume) button for 2 seconds to open the Accessibility Shortcuts.
• Here you can quickly disable the Voice Guide.
4. If you have a PIC-remote, press the PIC button for 5 seconds to enable or disable text-to-speech.
• For a non-PIC-remote, press the Mic button and say Disable Talk Back or open the Accessibility Menu.
5. To disable Talkback:
• Press the button to access the menu.
• Select Settings, then Device Settings, followed by Accessibility.
• Select Talkback and then select Disable.
6. You can also turn off Audio Description (AD) by pressing the AD button on the TV remote control.
• Note that some TVs may require you to switch AD on or off via the menu.
7. Additionally, you can press and hold the +/- (Volume) button for 2 seconds or longer to access the Accessibility Shortcuts and turn off the Voice Guide menu easily.

Accidental Activation: Did You Turn On the Narration Feature?

One of the most irritating (but unfortunately quite common) problems that people run into when using their televisions is when there is a narrator describing what is happening on screen. This feature improves the accessibility of the TV-watching experience. However, for those who do not require it, it can be very annoying, and turning the narrator off can seem quite difficult.

If you’re hearing audio descriptions on your TV, it’s likely because someone in your household turned it on by mistake. Pressing and holding the remote volume button on most Samsung smart TVs quickly activates the Accessibility feature. Therefore, it’s easy to activate the narration by accident.

To turn off the narrator on Amazon Prime:

1. While watching a television show or movie, hover your remote at the bottom or swipe down for a menu if using a touch screen device.
2. A speech bubble should come up and expand. Highlight and click on ‘Audio & Languages’.
3. Move down to Language options, highlight ‘English (U.S)’ without the AD tag, and select; this should turn it off.

For Xfinity s, there are several methods to turn off voice narration. The easiest way is to use voice control:

1. While watching a video, press and hold the voice control button on your Xfinity Voice Remote.
2. Say ‘audio description’ to turn the audio description off. It is as simple as that!

Moreover, your TV might have an accessibility feature turned on that provides audio or narration. If you don’t want your TV to talk to you every time you turn it on, usually, you can disable this feature in the settings menu.

To turn off Voice Guide:

1. Go to Home screen > Settings (or All Settings).
2. Select General (or General & Privacy) > Accessibility > Voice Guide Settings > Voice Guide.
3. Turn off the Voice guide option.

Additionally, the accessibility menu can be accessed by holding the volume button on the remote, which is typically how the feature gets turned on accidentally.

Finally, check for software updates, reset the TV to factory settings, or disconnect other devices that might be triggering it.

Comparing TV Narration Features: Samsung vs. LG

When comparing TV narration features between Samsung and LG, it’s important to note that both brands include audio guidance functions designed to assist visually impaired s. Here are the steps to disable the narration on each brand:

• Samsung Smart TV:
  1. Press the Home button on your remote control.
  2. Go to Settings.
  3. Select General.
  4. Find Accessibility.
  5. Choose Voice Guide and toggle it off.
• LG TV:
  1. Press and hold the button on your LG TV remote until the [Accessibility] menu displays on the TV screen. Note that the menu layout may vary depending on WebOS version and TV model.
  2. If Audio Guidance is [ON], set the function to [OFF].

  Alternatively:

  1. Click the Settings button on your remote.
  2. Select All Settings.
  3. Navigate to Accessibility.
  4. Turn off TalkBack or Voice Guide.

The narration function, referred to as ‘Audio Description’ or ‘Narration,’ is typically enabled by default, especially if the TV has just booted up or undergone a software update. This feature provides spoken descriptions of on-screen actions, aiding visually impaired viewers. However, it can be enabled accidentally through remote control or settings menu interactions.

In summary, while both Samsung and LG offer effective audio narration features, the steps to deactivate them vary slightly. s can easily manage these settings through their respective remote controls and accessibility menus.

Accessibility Choices: Who Benefits from TV Narration?

Broadcast captions play a crucial role in breaking down communication barriers and ensuring equal access to information, entertainment, and education for individuals with hearing impairments.

By providing a textual representation of the audio content, captions for broadcast enhance accessibility and promote inclusion. This allows individuals with hearing impairments to actively participate in conversations, cultural experiences, and shared media moments.

Furthermore, the presence of broadcast captions significantly improves the comprehension and enjoyment of media content. By reading along with the captions, viewers can fully understand the dialogue, nuances, and emotions conveyed through spoken words. This comprehension enhances their overall viewing experience.

Additionally, captioning and subtitling make video content accessible to individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing. Subtitles help non-native speakers follow along, improving comprehension and fostering language skills. Moreover, captions provide context, enhancing the viewer’s understanding of the dialogue, especially in noisy environments.

Importantly, broadcast captions are not limited to entertainment media alone. They also play a vital role in providing equal access to information and education. News broadcasts, documentaries, educational programs, and online tutorials are often captioned, allowing individuals with hearing impairments to stay informed and engaged. In educational settings, captions ensure that students with hearing impairments have equal access to classroom discussions, lectures, and multimedia materials.

Moreover, effective use of subtitles and closed captioning can serve as a powerful marketing strategy. By demonstrating a commitment to accessibility, your brand can stand out in a crowded marketplace, enhancing your reputation and establishing trust with your audience.

Data shows that videos with captions are shared more often, helping to tap into social media platforms for greater visibility. People are more likely to watch videos in silence, especially in public spaces; thus, captions can retain viewer interest and encourage sharing.

In addition to broadcast captions, the benefits of audio description are also significant. Providing detailed descriptions of scenes and actions opens access to visual presentations and performances for those who are blind or visually impaired. This allows them to appreciate the full richness of the stories being shared visually.

The benefits of live audio description extend beyond individuals with varying degrees of sight. They also offer advantages to viewers with cognitive impairments, individuals on the autism spectrum, or those facing technical issues such as faulty screens.

In summary, by investing in subtitles and closed captioning, you’re not just improving your communication strategy—you’re paving the way for a more inclusive media landscape.