This document provides an introduction to live closed captioning for broadcast. It defines key terms like closed captions, live closed captions, voice writing and stenography. It explains that live captioning requires highly trained professional captioners and focuses on comprehensibility with 95-98% accuracy. Best practices include providing prep materials, using a strong network connection and highly trained captioners. Virtual encoders are growing to deliver live captions to online streams. Relevant US and Canadian accessibility laws like the CVAA and AODA that regulate closed captioning are also summarized. The document introduces 3Play Media as a premier media accessibility provider that offers captioning, transcription, subtitles and audio description services.

1. Intro to Live Captioning
for Broadcast
✋ Type questions in the Q&A window during the presentation
⏺ This webinar is being recorded & will be available for replay
💬 To view live captions, please click the CC icon
📱 www.3playmedia.com l @3playmedia l #a11y

2. Introductions
Let’s get to know each other
Josh Summers
Senior Manager,
Training, Development & Technology
3Play Media Canada
Email: jsummers@3playmedia.ca
Jena Wallace
Content Marketing Specialist
@ 3Play Media
Email: jena@3playmedia.com

3. Agenda
Basics of live captioning
for broadcast
Who is 3Play Media? Q&A

4. What is Live
Captioning?
Let’s define the basics

5. CLOSED CAPTIONS:
Time-synchronized
Usually noted with a capital-CC icon
Accommodation for deaf &
hard of hearing viewers
US: Mandated by the FCC in the 1980s
Canada: CAD petitions CRTC in the late
1970s
Include non-speech elements
Relevant sound effects, speakers IDs, etc.

6. LIVE CLOSED CAPTIONS:
In real time
For live events, award shows, sporting games, news & more
Highly trained live professional
captioners
Human voice writers and stenographers
Slight latency
Processing time - human brain, captioning
software, and data transmission.

7. How is Live Captioning
for Broadcast
Different?
Nuances of broadcast television

8. VOICE WRITING
Transcription method in
which a trained captioner
dictates speech into
specialized software
TERMS TO KNOW
ASR
Automated Speech
Recognition
STENOGRAPHY
Transcription method in
which a trained captioner
rapidly types speech
using specialized steno
machine or keyboard

9. 95% - 98% +
accuracy rate
Live captioning for broadcast puts a
focus on comprehensibility
Necessary elements
Speaker IDs, sound descriptors,
vocab prep, continuity of service
Compliance
US: FCC standards allow some
leniency for live captioning. This &
other legal precedents still compel
live programming to be captioned at
a high accuracy rate.
Canada: CRTC requires most
broadcasters to caption 100% of their
programs.
CAPTION QUALITY IS KEY
High Accuracy is Possible in Live!
U.S. House of Representatives provides
real-time verbatim closed-captioning of
televised proceedings. Their requirements?
The captioner should provide 98.6%
accuracy of verbatim captioning.

10. BEST PRACTICES
Provide prep materials
Upload wordlists, key terms, proper name spellings
Strong network connection
Clear speech = clear captions
High quality audio, avoid background noise, single speaker
Use highly trained professional
captioners
Be mindful of quality guidelines
FCC and other precedents

11. Virtual Encoders
As more broadcasters pivot towards online
streaming, virtual encoders are a growing
technology
Encoders
Device used for embedding live captions into a
video stream (ex: Telco, Telnet)
608/708 are FCC standards for embedding CC into
broadcast videos
HOW ARE LIVE CAPTIONS
DELIVERED TO BROADCASTERS?

12. A11y Laws Related
to Broadcast
Understanding the laws in the US and Canada

13. A11Y LAWS: US
21st Century Communications & Video
Accessibility Act (CVAA)
The CVAA updated federal communications law to
“increase the access of persons with disabilities to
modern communications,” and specifically address
closed captioning for online video (particularly that
which has previously aired on U.S. television with closed
captions originally).
Federal Communications Commission
(FCC) Closed Captioning Regulations
The FCC sets strict guidelines for closed captioning
television programs and live broadcasts, with specific
standards on caption accuracy, timing, placement,
and completeness.

14. A11Y LAWS: CANADA
Accessibility for Ontarians with
Disabilities Act (AODA)
AODA was passed to set an accessibility standard in
which no person with a disability is prevented from
fully participating in all aspects of society because of
a disability. AODA requirements also call for accessible
video.
Canadian Radio-Television and
Telecommunications Commission
(CRTC)
The CRTC form captioning standards that ensure
consistent and reliable closed captioning quality
throughout the Canadian broadcasting system.

15. Meet 3Play Media
& 3Play Media
Canada
North America’s premier media accessibility provider

16. OUR SERVICES
Closed Captioning & Transcription
99% accuracy guaranteed; compliant; reliable, flexible
workflows
Live Captioning
Highly accurate, reliable, and easy-to-schedule. Powered
by 3Play Media technology and professional captioners.
Subtitles & Translation
Live translation in 100+ languages. Subtitles & translation of
recorded content in 40+ languages.
Audio description
High-quality & competitively priced solutions. Offerings
include synthetic voice, professional voice artists &
extended AD.

17. Scalability
We have a deadline compliance
99.9% & can process large
quantities of files
Upgrade Anytime
Easily request new services to
ensure your content stays
compliant
Account Management
Your dedicated account
manager can help review your
goals and keep you up-to-date
with accessibility news
Flexibility
We can accommodate
numerous workflows, formats,
and turnaround times to
match your needs
FUTURE-PROOF SOLUTION

18. Resource Portal
Weekly blogs, free white papers,
checklists, and research studies
Monthly Webinars
Taught by accessibility experts
BROWSE OUR FREE RESOURCES
Video A11y Course
Learn and test your knowledge on
video accessibility

19. UPCOMING FREE EVENTS
2022 Digital
Accessibility Legal
Update with Lainey
Feingold
December 8, 2022 | 2:00 PM EST
The Impact of Accessibility
in Gaming:
A Fireside Chat with
AbleGamers
November 29, 2022 | 2:00 PM EST

20. Q&A
Ask us anything.