Media Contact: 
Will Wiquist, (202) 418-0509
will.wiquist@fcc.gov
For Immediate Release
FCC ENHANCES ACCESSIBILITY OF VIDEO PROGRAMMING ON 
TELEVISION
By Updating the Rules to Allocate Captioning Responsibilities, Resolution of 
Captioning Issues Will Become More Efficient and Effective
  --
WASHINGTON, February 18, 2016 – The Federal Communications Commission today adopted
amendments to its rules on closed captioning of televised video programming to ensure that 
millions of Americans who are deaf and hard of hearing have full access to programming.  This 
action helps clarify which entities are responsible for which parts of the delivery and quality of 
closed captions on television.  
The order clarifies that responsibility for the quality of closed captioning falls on video 
programmers that prepare or make arrangements for the captions on their television shows, while 
the delivery and technical aspects of captioning remains the responsibility of distributors (such as 
cable or satellite companies).  The Commission allocates the responsibilities for addressing and 
resolving closed captioning provision and quality control issues between video programmers and 
distributors, based on which entity has primary control for each issue.  The Order also modifies 
and improves the captioning complaint procedures and certification process.   
With today’s action, the agency continues to place primary responsibility for the provision of 
closed captions on video programming distributors (VPDs), the entities that distribute these 
programs, including cable and satellite providers, as well as broadcast stations licensed by the 
Commission that distribute directly to the home. Furthermore, prior to passing a complaint on to 
programmers a VPD must certify that it has exercised due diligence in determining that it is not 
responsible for the captioning issue.  However, given the role of video programmers in creating 
programs, contracting with captioning vendors, and delivering programs to VPDs, the order 
amends the rules to extend some of the responsibility for ensuring the quality of closed captioning 
to video programmers, which generally includes broadcast and non-broadcast TV networks that 
provide programs for distribution to residential households.  The action also holds programmers 
responsible for a lack of captions where they have failed to provide captions on non-exempt 
programs.  
To effectively implement the new rules, the amended rules simplify the FCC’s certification 
processes.  Requirements for multiple certifications are replaced with a single annual filing 
requirement by video programmers that asserts compliance with FCC rules governing the 
provision and quality of captions.  Certifications must also specify exemptions from the rules 
claimed by any programmer. 
The Order revises the captioning complaint procedures to reflect the shared responsibilities of
both distributors and programmers for receiving, serving and resolving television closed 
captioning complaints.  The Commission also established a “compliance ladder” to encourage 
companies to swiftly resolve reported problems through corrective actions that make enforcement 
action by the Commission unnecessary.  
For more information about closed captioning of televised video programming, visit:  
http://www.fcc.gov/guides/closed-captioning.  
Action by the Commission February 18, 2016, by Second Report and Order (FCC 16-17).  
Chairman Wheeler, Commissioners Clyburn, and Rosenworcel approving. Commissioner Pai
approving in part and concurring in part.  Commissioner O’Rielly approving in part and 
dissenting in part.  Chairman Wheeler, Commissioners Clyburn, Pai and O’Rielly issuing 
statements.
CG Docket No. 05-231
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Office of Media Relations: (202) 418-0500
TTY: (888) 835-5322
Twitter: @FCC
www.fcc.gov/office-media-relations
This is an unofficial announcement of Commission action.  Release of the full text of a Commission order 
constitutes official action.  See MCI v. FCC, 515 F.2d 385 (D.C. Cir. 1974).