Scope
Broadcasters and online service providers increasingly use subtitles, audio description, sign language interpretation, and other adaptations to help make their content more accessible. Accessibility services also add value by enabling personalisation and reaching wider audiences. Advances in IP-based production and machine learning are opening new possibilities for how these services are created and delivered. Our group addresses common challenges in the production, exchange, archiving, distribution, and playback of accessible audiovisual media, working within the EBU's Production Strategic Programme.
Objectives
We help Members use subtitles in file-based facilities and across new distribution platforms. We develop broadcast specifications based on the W3C Timed Text Markup Language (TTML), maintain the EBU-TT family of standards (covering archive, exchange, live contribution, and IP distribution), and provide mappings, tools, and example files that make implementation straightforward. We engage with standards bodies and platform partners to ensure accessibility formats work correctly across the full delivery chain.
Deliverables
2026
2025
IBC Meet- Accessibility with AI Roundtable
2024
Addition of QC Tests on Subtitling- Accessibility with AI Roundtable
- Tech Report: Audio Description Dip Levels for Non-Sound Engineers
2023
- Update of R110: Subtitling on Digital TV & Online Services
- Accessibility at Lightning Speed at IBC Event
2022
2021
- Roundtable - Live Subtitling from Home (Q1 2021)
- Guidelines for Delivering Accessibility Services Using HbbTV (joint with HbbTV/DVB-i Group)
- Webinar - Leave No One Behind (joint with HbbTV/DVB-i Group)
2020
2018
- Update of EBU-TT-D (Q2 2018)
- List vendors support for EBU-TT (Q3 2018)
- Subtitling Fact Sheet (Q3 2018)
2017