Accessibility

Accessibility to SRG programmes is granted to every member of society. The wide range of accessibility services (subtitling, audio description and sign language) is constantly expanded, in terms of content and technology.

People with visual and hearing impairments need subtitling, sign language and audio description to follow the programmes. We offer people in Switzerland with sensory disabilities a wide choice of programmes in primetime and at weekends. This includes the main news items on the “Tagesschau” on SRF, RTS and RSI in sign language as well as the “Kassensturz” (SRF) and “A bon entendeur” (RTS) programmes. A good 84% of television programmes are subtitled. A large proportion of the programmes available to stream on the Internet also have subtitles. This service is provided by our subsidiary, SWISS TXT.

Image: @ SRF

New agreement for 2023–2027

We have signed an agreement for services in favour of people with sensory disabilities, which defines the programmes to be subtitled and the content to be transcribed or signed.

The 2023–2027 agreement contains the following new elements:

  • As of today, SRG subtitles 84 percent of its linear TV programme. The aim is to subtitle all editorial programmes broadcast on television by 2027.
  • On its online platforms as well, the SRG increases the share of its subtitled programmes, bearing in mind that the degree of increase largely depends on the development of automated systems with satisfactory quality.
  • 1200 hours of initial broadcast with sign language are already offered today. The aim is to reach 1300 hours by 2027 with a focus on political content and content for children and young people.
  • An expansion is also planned for programmes with audio description: these are to be substantially expanded from over 1200 hours today to 2000 hours by 2027. SRG commits to purchase and broadcast content with audio description provided it is reasonable from an economic, logistical and qualitative point of view.
  • Accessibility to websites and applications is continuously improved and platforms developed barrier-free.
  • Improved collaboration: together with the associations, SRG is creating new expert groups in which qualitative aspects of the services are to be discussed, technical innovations and possibilities are to be assessed and those affected are to be directly involved.

Our partner associations

 

Last updated: July 2024