Did you know that closed captioning is used by a large percentage of people in Wales? In fact, according to a study conducted by the BBC, more than three-quarters of people in Wales use closed captioning when watching television.
This is compared to just over half of the population in England who use closed captioning. There are several reasons for this discrepancy, but one of the main ones is that Wales has made it a legal requirement for all broadcasters to provide closed captions for their programming.
This has resulted in a much higher percentage of people using closed captioning in Wales than in other countries.
What Is Closed Captioning?
The closed captioning method is a text rendition of the audio track on a TV program, movie, or video. Typically, it is for deaf or hard-of-hearing people, but it can also be helpful for viewers who speak a different language from the audio track, or for those who simply prefer to read rather than listen.
Depending on the viewer’s preference, closed captioning can be displayed on the screen in many different ways. There can be neatly formatted lines of text that scroll across the bottom of the screen, or there can be large blocks of text superimposed over the video. With closed captioning services, viewers are provided with a written representation of dialogue and sound effects otherwise not heard.
Why Is Closed Captioning Important?
Closed captioning allows people with hearing impairments to follow along with television programs and movies. It also provides a way for people to watch television in noisy environments, such as bars and restaurants.
In addition, closed captioning can be a valuable tool for language learners. By providing a written record of what is being said, closed captioning can help people to understand and learn new languages. There are many benefits to closed captioning, and it is clear that a high percentage of people in Wales use it on a regular basis.
How many people use Closed Captioning in Wales?
According to a report by the Welsh Government, an estimated 22% of people in Wales use Closed Captioning (CC) when watching television. This figure has remained relatively stable over the past few years, despite the increasing popularity of on-demand services such as Netflix and Amazon Prime.
CC is particularly popular among younger viewers, with 37% of 16–24-year-old using it regularly. The report also found that CC is most commonly used for live broadcasts, such as news and sport, followed by pre-recorded program and films. Overall, CC is an important way of ensuring that everyone can enjoy television programs and films, regardless of their hearing ability.
Will the Number of People Use Closed Captioning in Wales Increase?
Apparently yes, the Welsh Government’s report predicts that the number of people using CC will rise to 35% by 2030, as more and more people become aware of its benefits. This increase is likely to be driven by the continued growth of on-demand services, which are required by law to provide CC.
Why Do Younger People Prefer Subtitles?
In recent years, an increasing number of young people have begun watching television shows and movies with subtitles. While some older viewers may find this trend perplexing, it actually makes a lot of sense. For starters, subtitles can be extremely helpful for viewers who are hard of hearing or who speak English as a second language.
In addition, subtitles can make it easier to follow a show or movie when there is a lot of background noise. Finally, subtitles can be a great way to improve your vocabulary and understanding of colloquialisms and idioms.
In short, there are plenty of good reasons why younger people are increasingly turning to subtitles. So, the next time you find yourself accuse of watching TV with the subtitles on, simply tell them you’re doing it for educational purposes. They might not believe you, but at least you’ll be able to say you tried…
Conclusion
Overall, it is clear that closed captioning is an important and increasingly popular way of watching television programs and films. A high percentage of people in Wales use CC, and this figure is predicted to rise in the coming years.
Younger viewers are particularly keen on subtitles, as they offer a number of benefits. So, the next time you’re watching TV with the subtitles on, don’t be afraid to admit it – you’re certainly not alone.
