The access requirements will be the same as those applied to domestic broadcasters. They consist of quotas which, after ten years, rise to 80% for captioning, 10% for audio description and 5% for signing. Ofcom may decide to reduce these quotas for channels where the access services would cost more than 1% of their relevant turnover.
In addition to providing the access services, the TV service providers must also promote awareness of them by supplying information to electronic program guide operators about which programs are captioned, audio described or signed, and through on-air announcements and publications.
Ofcom administers a comprehensive Code on Television Access Services, which includes detailed guidelines for caption quality, and requires regular reporting from broadcasters to ensure all access obligations are met.
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