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Broadcasting: Audio Description

Volume 707: debated on Wednesday 11 February 2009

Questions

Asked by

To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have to increase targets for audio description television services. [HL1069]

To ask Her Majesty's Government what evidence would be required to raise audio description targets to at least 20 per cent of television broadcasts. [HL1070]

The Communications Act 2003 sets minimum targets for audio description of programmes by broadcasters. However, it is the responsibility of Ofcom to ensure that these requirements are met.

Ofcom intends to investigate awareness, take-up and usage of audio description and will conduct an analysis of the social and financial implications of any possible increase in audio description quotas as part of its 2009 access services review, before considering recommending any increase in the audio description targets to the Government.