What are audio descriptions on streaming services?
How audio descriptions work
The narration describes actions, scene changes, and on-screen text that the dialogue does not explain. It plays in the gaps between lines of dialogue, and it is usually turned on in the audio settings rather than the picture settings.
Not every title has audio descriptions, and the language and voice can differ between shows. Check the audio menu on the show's page to see whether the option is listed.
- Look for an audio description or AD option in the audio menu.
- The track is often labeled separately from the main language.
- Availability varies by title and by service.
- Some services offer it only on certain plans or apps.
Who uses them and why
Audio descriptions help viewers who cannot see the screen well, and some people use them to follow a show while doing other things. They can also help when a scene is dark and hard to follow.
Families sometimes use the track with younger viewers who are learning to follow stories through narration.
Turning the track on usually does not affect the regular audio, so you can switch between the two options while you watch.
Common mistakes
- Assuming every show on a streaming service includes audio descriptions.
- Confusing audio descriptions with subtitles, which show dialogue on the screen.
- Expecting the track to work the same way on every device.
