Subtitles, audio description and signing on Freeview

Most programmes on the main channels come with subtitles, and many include audio description or British Sign Language. Here's how to switch them on and how to find them in our listings.

Subtitles

Subtitles show what's being said on screen, along with descriptions of important sounds. Almost all programmes on the main BBC, ITV, Channel 4 and Channel 5 channels are subtitled.

To turn them on: press the SUBT, SUB or CC button on your remote. If there isn't one, look in Menu > Settings > Accessibility (or Subtitles) and set subtitles to On. On many TVs this setting stays on until you change it.

Audio description

Audio description (AD) adds a spoken commentary in natural pauses, describing what's happening on screen – body language, settings, action – for people who are blind or partially sighted.

To turn it on: look in Menu > Settings > Accessibility, Sound or Audio for Audio description, AD or Visually impaired, and switch it on. Some remotes have a dedicated AD button. The description plays only on programmes that include it.

Signed programmes

Some programmes are shown with a British Sign Language (BSL) interpreter on screen. These are usually repeats shown at set times rather than a setting you switch on, so they're listed as separate showings.

Finding accessible programmes in our listings

Open any programme in TVWeek to see every showing this week. The Access column shows Subtitles, Audio description and Signed wherever the broadcaster has included that information in the programme guide.

Still having trouble? Freeview's own help pages and your TV manufacturer's manual have instructions for specific models.