Netflix's Wizard of Oz Showing Upsets National Association of the Deaf

While the video quality of the free Netflix Wizard of Oz streaming was great, but the movie lacked captions, and the National Association of the Deaf wrote a second letter to Netflix to complain about the lack of captions:

We received no response from Netflix. Our request for a captioned version of “The Wizard of Oz” on October 3^rd was not honored. Unlike the characters in “The Wizard of Oz,” Netflix looks like it is still searching for its brain, heart, and courage. We view Netflix’s lack of response and lack of captioning for “The Wizard of Oz” as a blatant statement by Netflix that 36 million deaf and hard of hearing people are second class citizens. This is the message that our community received from Netflix. 

Netflix is working on adding captions to the 17,000 streaming titles, as explained in a blog post by Netflix's Chief Product Officer Neil Hunt:

Encoding a separate stream for each title is not an option - it takes us about 500 processor-months to make one encode through the entire library, and for this we would have to re-encode four different formats. Duplicating the encoded streams is prohibitive in space too.

So we are working on optionally delivering the SAMI file (Synchronized Accessible Media Interchange), or similar, to the client, and having it render the text and then overlay it on the video at playback time. Unfortunately, the tools for rendering SAMI files in Silverlight, or in CE (Consumer Electronics) devices, are weak or non-existent, and there is some technology development required.

Thanks to Jared for sending this in.

Comments

[twitter.com/SamathBear]

That's why I didn't bother tuning in. When you can't hear, it's no good to have a freebie like this.

[Red Smith]

I bet they get a lot of complaints from blind people too.

[twitter.com/overbysara]

a SECOND CLASS citizen because you cant watch streaming netflix movies? a tad dramatic, perhaps.

[Mike F]

I am not heartless but this is getting old. What is wrong with renting the DVD and getting all the captioning?

[Uosdwis]

Marlee Matlin tweets about this all the time. Being a hearing person (but that could change), I can only say it would just not even come close to being the same experience if you never heard the dialogue (the Munchkins? The Wicked Witch? Scarecrow, Lion, Tin Man? Come on..), the music and the effects. Black and white words on the screen just don't do it justice, but it's better than nothing. If it can be done, it should be done for them.

[Seth]

Reed and Netflix:

You blew it on this one. Yes, it is true that encoding a separate stream for this one film would put you in a delicate spot. You didn't want to encourage or confuse with an exception when you don't have CC ready for your instant viewing.

But so what, really? These folks asked you specifically for Wizard of Oz and you blew them off. That's some weak sauce. I realize you felt it was a lose-lose situation, but I think you chose wrong.

Let's face it. Hulu has CC on some of its programs and this is making Netflix look rather out of step. You made a contest to ask people to improve your ratings. So why not make a mini contest and ask someone to come up with a way to deliver CC over Silverlight?

I'm sure someone will very quickly figure out some counter-intuitive way to move a CC interface over your instant viewing. Maybe it won't be a permanent solution, but it will be a start.

Seth

[A Movie A Day (AMAD)]

You know someone's going to play the "Well, HULU.com has closed captioning for the programming on their site, so why don't you?" card in this thread sometime...

[Brandon]

What is it with deaf people and their overinflated senses of entitlement?

I guess it is true that when one sense dies the others all heighten.

[Rube]

Brandon:

Wow. You are an ass.

[Tester]

@Brandon:

I agree with Rube...YOU ARE AN ASS!

That also goes for you Red Smith.

[Andy]

"Second class citizens"? That's ridiculous. No one has the "right" to watch Netflix. It would make good business sense for them to add captioning to streaming titles, but in no way are they obligated to.

Next we'll have people complaining that they don't have captions for *every language*, and thus people that doesn't speak English are "second class citizens".

[banter]

I definitely want them to take care of subtitles. First and foremost for the hard of hearing and a distant second because sometimes I simply like subtitles due to accents or the audio isn’t so great.

@ Red Smith ...I lol'd. People relax and stop taking everything so seriously.

[NOYB]

Hey hearing people, How about no sound/voice - could you able to be deal with it? Let deaf have the closed capital movie(s), you need to be a consideration other people.

An example; In most of the hearing ask me; can you read my lip? I ask them; can you read my sign language? A hearing person stuck with my question and quielty. I forget that we live on the hearing world; EARth - it would be nice if we live on deaf world - EYEth.

I would like to see how you deal with deaf kids/adults in your relative, and you will see it and understand it, I bet you will run to me and down your knee on the floor to begging me to forgive you - hell no!

[Razzle]

This is bothersome. I can't hear my laptop's speakers that well, anyway. Also, I like to watch late at night in bed..

Whether watching on computer or tv I, more often than not, want subtitles.

If Netflix can't provide subtitles yet, and others are, that is disconcerting. But not offensive.

[ASB]

Damn straight I have a sense of entitlement. I pay the same monthly fee hearing people do but I can't use the full benefits of my membership. Some of you people are clueless. How about we put you all on mute and see how cool it is. And yep I'll play the online players card. The networks and other sites' captioning keeps getting better and better. NF has made it clear they don't give a damn about the deaf/hard of hearing population. Hopefully you ignorant hearies won't ever have to deal with the isolation and discrimination we face every day.

[Jennifer]

Don't get me wrong, I do love my netflix with the movies you can't get anywhere else, but, I am hearing impaired and really need the CC..I don't watch the streaming movies on netflix, but do on hula because they have them...it's such a bummer when I can't watch what I want due to no CC's..we have to be considerate of everyone from a gazillion handicap spots at walmart to the little words on the bottom on the screen..

[Margaret]

Promises, promises. Netflix first said by 2009 and now says by 2010. It is hype, it is a way to skip to the next issue. It is a corporate decision to ignore the deaf community by discrimination!!

The world needs to finally realize how much the deaf community has been discriminated. From the insurance world right on down to Netflix and Amazon on demand, as well as other such providers. Insurance companies cover glasses for those who lack sight, but does not cover for hearing aides for those who lack hearing. The on Demand world caters to the hearing world and ignores those who lack hearing just because there is no law forcing them to provide better service. DISCRIMINATION IS DISCRIMINATION no matter how you look at it, nor what issue you speak of. It is the sickest trait anyone company can have or any one person has as part of their character. Should I really expect anything different from MONEY whore businesses who careless about to whom they discriminate??

[Mark]

I'm not deaf, but I love CC. I sure wish they would quit BSing and develop CC. If they want to spend some money and time, I know it could be done. My wife need the CC more than I do. She hates watching streaming without the CC.

[coach suitcase]

Make youself a better person and know who you are before you try and know someone else and expect them to know you.