Sony Europe Calls for Audio Description on More TVs Jul 2, 2007

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Sony in Europe is calling on other producers of TVs and TV broadcasters to join a campaign to provide products and services for blind and partially sighted people.

“We are all used to seeing and using subtitles on TV, but what many people don’t know is that the technology exists to make a similarly useful service available for the 30 million or so visually impaired people we have in Europe,” said Andreas Ditter, vice president, TV Operations Europe.

Audio Description (AD) is a narrative soundtrack added to a TV program for the benefit of blind or partially sighted people. During gaps in program dialogue, an additional voice explains visual plot points, enabling visually impaired people to follow the storyline more fully. Audio description is available on a variety of television programs in Europe but, until now, has only been accessible through the purchase of a separate set-top box or satellite receiver.

“The entire Sony Bravia television range now provides access to Audio Description (AD) as standard, which, in combination with a commitment to raise awareness of AD, aims to increase the number of programs, broadcasters and television manufacturers that offer the service," Ditter said.

The United Kingdom is the only country in Europe making Audio Description a legal requirement for key broadcasters.
 

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