A host of groups serving the deaf and hard-of-hearing community have asked the FCC to make sure that closed captioning requirements carry over to the voluntary rollout of the ATSC 3.0 next gen transmission standard.
That came in comments on the FCC proposal to allow broadcasters to start rolling out the new standard alongside the current ATSC 1.0 (ATSC 3.0 is not compatible with current TV sets).
“The captioning rules, which serve as ‘curb cuts’ to the social, cultural, democratic, and economic benefits of broadcast television, have ensured equal access over the past quarter-century…” they told the commission.
They said they were generally supportive of the rollout, and that after conversations with the National Association of Broadcasters they believe that the transition can occur without disrupting closed captions but want the FCC to make sure that happens.
