RTÉ to begin audio description for ‘EastEnders’

Audio description, which is a verbal commentary describing what is happening on screen, has been more or less non-existent in Irish broadcasting, to the disappointment and frustration of people with sight loss. But after some technical investment and internal trials, RTÉ will begin providing it for episodes of its imported soap opera EastEnders later this year.

In its consultation document on proposed changes to television access rules, the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland says there will be “an expectation” by audiences who use audio description that “over time the emphasis will shift to the provision of audio description on Irish content”.

Independent producers applying to the regulator’s Sound and Vision fund are being encouraged to seek funding to add audio description to their programmes.

The advent of digital television means audio description can now be provided on a “closed” basis – in other words, it can be turned on or off. However, the service, which can be expensive for broadcasters to either purchase or produce, is likely to remain at low levels in Ireland. The regulator’s proposed audio description targets apply only to RTÉ and begin at 1.5 per cent of programming, increasing to just 2.5 per cent by 2018.

The public has been invited to make submissions in relation to the rules governing the subtitling, sign language and audio-description services that Irish television broadcasters must offer. The consultation document is available in text, signed video, subtitled and audio formats on the baifuture.ie website and the consultation period runs until July 23rd.

A subtitling target of 87-92 per cent in 2018 has been proposed for RTÉ One – up from 82-87 per cent in 2014 – while TV3 will be asked to steadily increase the percentage of programmes it subtitles from 43-47 per cent to 51-55 per cent. Subtitling targets have also been set for the first time for the three RTÉ television services established in 2011: RTÉjr, RTÉ One +1 and RTÉ News Now.