Netflix responded to the recent denial of dismissal in the captions lawsuit with the following statement:
“Netflix has always been committed to making its content accessible to members of the deaf and hard of hearing community. More than 80% of the hours streamed in the US are movies and TV shows with captions or subtitles available. We have committed to providing captions wherever we can procure them from the content owner and we have an active program to author subtitles for significant content where they are not already available. The framework that the FCC has established is an important part of ensuring captioned or subtitled content can be most efficiently provided. We believe the FCC regulations provide the most comprehensive and appropriate guidance to businesses on captioning.”
If Hastings hadn't been looking to suck up to Microsoft by using Silverlight they would have had full captions a long time ago...
Posted by: S | June 27, 2012 at 05:29 AM
What's the deal with the captions not being available if you're streaming via the Roku box? Do the new Rokus get captions? Ours is probably about 5 years old, and though it still works great, I'd buy a new one if that would solve the no-CC problem. (I can hear just fine, but I have a hell of a time understanding thick British and Scottish accents!)
Posted by: Meg | June 27, 2012 at 02:16 PM
Not saying that NF isn't committed to eventual captioning on all content, but "80% of the hours streamed" is a far cry from 80% of total streaming titles.
And I absolutely agree that captioning (includes sound effect and musical cues as well as dialogue) and subtitling can be helpful for all viewers - but for the hearing impaired, it is an absolute necessity.
Posted by: GeeEmm | June 27, 2012 at 03:13 PM
Meg, the new Roku2 models have the ability to use the Netflix subtitles, the older versions did not. I was pretty upset they weren't able to add that or the 1080p streaming through an update and had to buy a new Roku myself. Other than the new remote no longer having the 10 second rewind button the new unit is a good upgrade for sure.
Posted by: TomFresh | June 27, 2012 at 03:55 PM
My fear with this lawsuit is that netflix may be forced to reduce the size of its steaming library, to only those titles for which it can legally procure or create captions. Such an outcome would be of no benefit to those who require captions, and would be bad for that great majority of people who do not require captions.
Posted by: paul | June 27, 2012 at 05:18 PM
While I feel for deaf people... They do have options for having subtitles with everything on Netflix without waiting for Netflix to create subtitles for everything that the content owners don't have subtitles for. They can either use the silverlight debug options to add subtitles on their own (previously reported on hacking netflix), use a browser add-on, or get it on DVD...
Posted by: Groggie | June 27, 2012 at 07:22 PM
Why doesn't Amazon, iTunes and Vudu have CC/subtitles? At least Netflix is making an effort for the hard of hearing.
Posted by: moviegeek | June 28, 2012 at 04:44 PM
80% of hours streamed.. That's pretty bogus. If you looked at it from the perspective of those who NEED captions, it would be "100% of hours streamed". So basically, they're just saying that the popular stuff already has captions.
Posted by: bigqueue | June 28, 2012 at 09:46 PM
As long as the end result is that Netflix has to update it's 1st gen Roku app, I support the lawsuit.
I see no reason why I should have to buy a brand new 2nd gen Roku JUST so I can get CC on Netflix. I see no reason why the 1st gen Roku can't be updated to display CC.
Posted by: Stevejk | June 29, 2012 at 09:40 AM
"As long as the end result is that Netflix has to update it's 1st gen Roku app, I support the lawsuit."
Sue Roku not Netflix, Roku is an independent company and are responsible for their hardware.
It's this mentality that is ruining the US: "I'm a victim so I'm going to sue the company with the most money even if they aren't directly responsible".
Posted by: moviegeek | June 29, 2012 at 01:04 PM
moviegeek quoted, then said:
"As long as the end result is that Netflix has to update it's 1st gen Roku app, I support the lawsuit."
Sue Roku not Netflix, Roku is an independent company and are responsible for their hardware.
Some of us bought our Roku's through a Netflix partnership when Netflix was the ONLY reason (or use) for a Roku.
Posted by: Marc | July 01, 2012 at 10:52 AM
And when you bought that roku it didn't have any subtitles at [email protected] Marc this is like complaining that your tv doesn't play 3d if you bought it before 3d tvs existed.
Posted by: Yuppers | July 01, 2012 at 01:18 PM
I think people who only have vision in one eye should sue providers and distributors of 3D movies.
Posted by: Scrivner | July 03, 2012 at 03:15 PM
Not only no captions or subtitles on streaming videos, now the Magnolia DVD's being sent out by Netflix have NO captioning or subtitles. What is up with that?
How can Netflix degrade the service quality by offering new DVD's from Magnolia that have no subtitles?
This should be added to the lawsuit as another cause of action; new DVD's should be required to come with subtitles.
Posted by: Lamont | July 06, 2012 at 12:37 AM