Accessibility Services for BBC and iPlayer

As a currently UK based company, at Capital Captions, we regularly work with producers on readying and submitting content in line with BBC guidelines for iPlayer. There can be a number of requirements for the BBC in terms of accessibility services and even translations, so here’s a brief guide to what is usually required for the accessibility services for BBC and iPlayer and how at Capital Captions, we can help!

BBC Closed Captioning using EBU-TT-D

Content to be published on iPlayer and indeed, on many other streaming platforms, often requires closed captioning in EBU-TT-D format. This format has very strict requirements in terms of character limits of 37 and in addition to this, BBC guidelines set limits on reading speeds depending on the intended audience (180wpm for children and 250wpm for adults).

Working with creating high quality captions for the BBC involves making sure subtitles are split according to a number of grammatical and syntactical conventions. Captioning here also involves the use of different colours assigned to speakers, sound effects descriptions being written in capital letters and the identification of speakers offscreen by the use of italics and/or labelling using their name.

Standard turnaround times for English EBU-TT-D closed captioning at Capital Captions are 48 hours with within 24 hour and same-day services also supplied.

BBC British Sign Language Interpreting (BSL)

Many BBC videos will make use of in-vision BSL interpreting, where a sign language interpreter will sign the dialogue content of the video in the bottom righthand corner of the screen.

At Capital Captions, we provide services for BSL interpreting, working with the video from start to finish. The process firstly involves video transcription where the text can then be prepared using a teleprompter. The interpreter will then record the translation in front of greenscreen where they will then be superimposed onto the video. Oftentimes, the video will require shrinking slightly and pushing to the right or left hand side of the screen, to make sure the interpreters movements don’t block any important onscreen information including graphics and/or text.

Completed signed videos are then supplied in formats including H264 MP4 and Apple Pro Res, both as High Definition.

Capital Captions BSL interpreting services can be provided on an expedited basis with turnarounds of within 48 hours. Turnaround times can vary depending on studio capacity so it’s best to book in advance for faster delivery.

BBC Audio Description

Audio description services are an accessibility requirement for blind and visually impaired viewers. BBC audio descriptions should be supplied as WAV files, synced to the designated video, with voiceover descriptions fitting in between gaps in dialogue so as not to interfere with speech and/or important sound effects.

The audio description process can be quite involved. First, a script needs to be written which takes into account both the time allotted to squeeze in descriptions and the intended tone of the video. As describing audio requires an element of creative writing, it’s usual for the video producer to be involved in signing off the script prior to recording. This ensures the use of correct pronouns, descriptions and prioritisation of what may be considered the most important parts of the visual elements.

Following on from confirmation of the tone required (e.g. friendly, children’s TV, corporate, etc.), the finalised script will then be recorded by a professional voice artist in a recording studio. The audio segments recorded will then be synced to the video and the sound tailored and edited for a clean, crisp finish.

BBC Welsh Translation and Transcription

BBC content often requires Welsh transcription, captions and/or translation. At Capital Captions, we are experienced in working with Welsh and English videos, where voiceovers and dubbing play a huge role in catering to a Welsh audience. The requirements for Welsh EBU-TT-D closed captioning are typically the same as for English. Translations, as required, can be turned around in as little as within 48 hours.

BBC Post-Production Scripts and CCSL Files

Alongside all of our other services, we work with versioning post-production scripts and creating CCSL files for videos destined for BBC online or broadcast. On completion of a film or series, a post-production script or CCSL is required as a reference document to where scene changes, dialogue and shot changes occur. There are a number of different formats in which these can be supplied and we are able to tailor our delivery of post-production scripts and CCSL files to match producer preferences, as required.

So that brings us to the end of our comprehensive look at accessibility services for BBC and iPlayer. If you have a short film, animation, feature film or any other media content you are looking to get captions for, why not hit that quote button below so that we can get you a full costing of our services.