Deadline Approaches for Implementing Audio Description Rules in DMAs 101-110, as Specified by the FCC on January 1st

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has announced that it will extend its audio description rules to several TV markets across the United States, starting from January 1, 2023. The aim of these rules is to make video programming more accessible to individuals who are blind or visually impaired.

On October 17, 2023, the FCC adopted the 2023 Audio Description Order. According to the order, the FCC's audio description rules will continue to expand, with 10 designated market areas (DMAs) being added each year until all markets are included.

The following TV markets will have the audio description rules extended to them on January 1, 2023: Tri-Cities, Tennessee-Virginia, Reno, Nevada, Greenville-New Bern-Washington, North Carolina, Davenport-Rock Island-Moline, Iowa, Tallahassee, Florida-Thomasville, Georgia, Lincoln & Hastings-Kearney, Nebraska, Evansville, Indiana, Ft. Wayne, Indiana, and Johnstown-Altoona-State College, Pennsylvania.

Certain television broadcast stations and multichannel video programming distributors (MVPDs) are required to provide the audio description for a portion of the video programming they televise to consumers, as per the FCC. The FCC's compliance deadlines for the new audio description rules will apply to TV markets determined by Nielsen as of Jan. 1, 2023.

The FCC's audio description involves the insertion of narrated descriptions of a television program's key visual elements into natural pauses between the program's dialogue. This is a significant step towards making television more inclusive for individuals who are blind or visually impaired.

The FCC has also issued a reminder for TV markets 101 to 110 to implement the new audio description rules by January 1. The remaining 60 TV markets required to implement the FCC's new audio description rules by January 1, 2032, are specific U.S. television markets designated by the FCC, but the exact list of these markets is not publicly detailed in general sources.

As the new year approaches, these changes mark an important milestone in making television more accessible for all. The FCC's audio description rules are set to extend to the Ft. Wayne, Indiana market, the Lincoln & Hastings-Kearney, Nebraska market, and the Reno, Nevada market, in addition to the markets mentioned above, starting from January 1, 2023.

Deadline Approaches for Implementing Audio Description Rules in DMAs 101-110, as Specified by the FCC on January 1st