Media Contact: 
Will Wiquist, (202) 418-0509
will.wiquist@fcc.gov
For Immediate Release
FCC INCREASES AMOUNT OF REQUIRED VIDEO DESCRIBED 
PROGRAMMING ON TOP-RATED BROADCAST & NONBROADCAST 
NETWORKS
Action Makes More TV Accessible to Americans Who Are Blind or Visually Impaired
  --
WASHINGTON, July 12, 2017 – The Federal Communications Commission today adopted new 
rules to ensure Americans who are blind or visually impaired have access to more video 
described programming. Video description, also called audio description, allows people with 
limited vision to hear a description of on-screen activity while also following the dialogue, 
providing a more fulsome entertainment experience. 
According to the National Federation of the Blind, more than 7 million Americans have a visual 
disability. The new rules adopted today will ensure that more video described programming is 
available to those who rely on it, and also provide broadcast and nonbroadcast television 
networks more flexibility in complying with the rules.  
Beginning in July 2018, broadcasters and pay-TV providers carrying one of the top networks 
must provide 87.5 hours of described programming per calendar quarter, which averages out to 
roughly one hour per day of description on each included network.  This is an increase of 75 
percent over the 50 hours per quarter presently required.  While the current 50 hour requirement 
must be provided during prime-time or children’s programming, the additional 37.5 hours per 
quarter being added by these new rules can be provided at any time of day between 6 a.m. and 
midnight.  The networks currently covered by the rule are ABC, CBS, Fox, NBC, Disney 
Channel, History, TBS, TNT, and USA. However, the list of the top five nonbroadcast networks 
will be updated in July 2018, so this is subject to change.
With the 21
st
Century Communications and Video Accessibility Act of 2010, Congress 
recognized the importance of ensuring that Americans with disabilities have access to 
functionally-equivalent entertainment and communications options.  The new rules adopted by 
the Commission today take another important step in implementing this law and furthering its 
accessibility goals. 
Video description is provided through the TV or set top box “secondary audio” feature, which 
some TV controls identify as “SAP” or “secondary audio program.” To learn more about video 
description, please see the FCC’s consumer guide: https://go.usa.gov/xNF6a
Action by the Commission July 11, 2017 by Report and Order (FCC 17-88). Chairman Pai and 
Commissioners Clyburn and O’Rielly approving and issuing separate statements.  
MB Docket No. 11-43
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This is an unofficial announcement of Commission action.  Release of the full text of a Commission order constitutes 
official action.  See MCI v. FCC, 515 F.2d 385 (D.C. Cir. 1974).