Audio Description Services
Please view our Audio Described Programming webpage for upcoming audio described programs available on SBS, SBS VICELAND, NITV and SBS World Movies television channels.
Audio description (AD) is the auditory narration of the non-verbal elements of a program. During gaps in dialogue, it describes visual elements such as scenes, settings, actions and costumes. It is particularly beneficial to people who are blind or have low vision. Additionally, it has also been utilised by auditory learners, children, non-native speakers (including second-languages learners), and readers with reduced literacy (e.g., dyslexia and aphasia).
As with closed captions, audio description can be turned on or off as needed, and is not available with all television programs.
Help and Feedback
How can I get more help or provide feedback?
If you would like assistance in activating audio description, please see ‘How to enable and access audio description’ section below or contact SBS. You can also contact us to provide feedback.
To help us in assisting you, if you are experiencing difficulties in enabling audio description, you can advise us the brand, year, and model of your television. If these are not available, you can (or someone can assist you to) send us a photo of the menu options available on your device.
- Email: audiodescription@sbs.com.au
- Phone: 1800 500 727 (business hours)
- SBS Help Centre (web form): help.sbs.com.au
FAQs about audio description on SBS
How can I access audio description?
Audio description is available on a range of programs broadcast on most of SBS’s television channels. Audiences can access the service by enabling audio description (link to relevant Q&A section below).
What programs have audio description?
SBS aims to provide audio description for the widest range of content as appropriate—based on there being sufficient gaps in dialogue for insertion of audio description—including for dramas, documentaries, entertainment, children’s and cooking programs, as well as movies.
Are you going to introduce audio description for the news, current affairs, and sports?
News, as a genre, is not suitable for the addition of audio description, as there are insufficient gaps in spoken elements of the program. Similarly, current affairs and sport programming will not include audio description.
Is audio description available on SBS On Demand and SBS’s online services?
Audio description is not currently available on SBS On Demand or SBS’s online and social media services.
Currently, audio description is only available via SBS’s broadcast television. If you are watching SBS programs on SBS On Demand, including streaming SBS channels live, audio description will not be available. We suggest that you switch to broadcast television, if possible, in order to hear audio description.
When I watch SBS programs via live-streaming (e.g., on a computer or mobile device) why do I see programs that say audio description is available, but I can't hear anything?
How many hours does SBS broadcast each week, and when?
SBS broadcasts up to 28 hours of audio described programming every week. SBS publishes information about what programming is available with audio description each week on this page (click here).
Can I isolate the audio description to be the only person hearing it when I am watching television with others, e.g., if I use headphones to hear audio description, while others watching don’t hear it?
No. Currently, there’s no option to isolate only audio description as a separate audio channel. There is only the option to have audio description enabled, or not. Multiple people watching a program from the same device do not have the ability to access different audio for that program.
Can I separately adjust the volume of audio description only?
No. Currently, audio description can only be turned on or off. Its volume cannot be adjusted separately.
Can I choose the voice or accent used, and will the voice be machine-recorded?
The voices providing audio description are pre-recorded and cannot be changed. SBS uses voices with a variety of accents, and generally provides human-voiced audio description. In some instances, SBS may acquire programs with synthetic-voiced (machine) audio description. We welcome feedback on audience preferences.
How to enable and access audio description
How can I set up audio description on my TV?
Audiences can enable audio description for SBS, SBS VICELAND, NITV and SBS World Movies on their television or set top box by updating their audio language settings. These settings can be changed by selecting AUS (Australian) or ‘Unknown’ instead of ENG (English) as the secondary audio language setting, by using your TV’s remote control and on-screen menu options.
Remote control buttons and menu selections vary by television brand and model. Please check your device manual for further information regarding your equipment.
SBS has also provided instructions for a number of key models. If you receive television services over the air or using an antenna, download instructions on how to set up audio description in either PDF format or Microsoft Word format.
If you receive television services via Viewer Access Satellite Television (VAST), using a satellite dish, there are three models of set top box that can receive SBS's audio description service. Instructions on how to set up audio description on these set top boxes are outlined below.
Please be aware that for some TVs and set top boxes, the setting change to turn on audio description may not persist after the device is switched off, or if the channel is changed from SBS, SBS VICELAND, NITV and SBS World Movies. You may be required to update your settings again if you experience this problem.
Some audience members may seek assistance from a range of support personnel available from accessibility support organisations. In most cases, a sighted person in the household should be sufficient. A number of assistive software may also be useful.
How do I set up SBS audio description on Viewer Access Satellite Television (VAST) services?
| VAST set top box model | Instructions |
| NAS DSD4921 |
|
| Phoenix SatKing 980CA V2 |
|
| Phoenix SatKing 800CA |
|
Why doesn’t it work when I set ‘audio description’ to ‘on’?
Some devices have a setting for ‘audio description’ however if you have set this to ‘on’ and you are not hearing the audio description track, you may try updating your audio language settings as noted above. Audio language settings generally appear in a device’s ‘secondary language’ menu. Switching this secondary language to ‘AUS’ or ‘Unknown’ should enable you to hear the SBS audio description track.
How do I know if my TV can receive audio description?
Most televisions and set top boxes should be able to decode secondary audio. You can check the manual of your device or search the on-screen settings menu on the device itself to determine whether it supports selection of an additional audio language. Alternatively, you can contact the retailer or manufacturer of your device.
What options do I have if my TV cannot receive audio description?
Some older devices (manufactured before 2014) may not support selection of a second audio language. A set top box capable of receiving audio description may be required to connect to your existing TV. Those who are part of the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) may apply for NDIS support, subject to approval.
How do I record an SBS program with audio description and watch it later?
Personal Video Recorders (PVRs) may be able to record audio described programming, however SBS has not been in a position to carry out testing on this. SBS welcomes feedback on models of PVR which can record audio description to assist in informing audiences.
Can I receive audio description on Foxtel or Fetch?
Audio description is not available on SBS channels accessible via these services at this time due to technology constraints.
How will I know when the program with audio description is starting?
An audio chime will sound alerting audiences to audio description being provided for a program about to be broadcast. There will also be an on-screen notification indicating a program is audio described.
The programs being provided with audio description are listed on SBS's Audio Described Programming schedule. This page is regularly updated, including with any schedule changes.
The SBS Guide, and the electronic program guide available on individual devices (EPG) will also indicate when a scheduled program has audio description available.