In the past few years, live streaming video has become one of the most popular ways to share content online. It’s a great way to connect with your audience in real-time and give them a behind-the-scenes look at your business. But before you start streaming and using closed captions on your videos, there are a few things you need to know about the law behind it
In this article, we will discuss the requirements for using closed captions for live streaming video, and how to make sure you are protecting yourself and your viewers.
What are Closed captions for Live Streaming Video?
Closed captions are a text version of the spoken words in a video. They are typically used for people who are hard of hearing or deaf but can also be used by people who want to follow along with the dialogue without having to listen to the audio. On big video channels or streaming services, closed captions are provided by a closed captioning company that specializes in automated and human captioning.
The Benefits of Closed Captions for Live Streaming Videos
There are many benefits to using closed captions for live streaming videos. For one, it makes your video accessible to a wider audience, including people who are hard of hearing or deaf. It can also be helpful for viewers who want to follow along with the dialogue but don’t want to listen to the audio.
Additionally, closed captions can help improve search engine optimization (SEO) for your video, making it more likely to show up in search results. Moreover, a study showed that closed captions may help kids to improve their reading skills.
The research, conducted by the National Literacy Trust in the UK, found that children who watched videos with closed captions had better reading comprehension than those who didn’t.
Requirements and Law
In the United States, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requires that all public places provide equal access to people with disabilities. This includes closed captions for live streaming videos. The ADA was passed in 1990 before the live streaming video was invented. But the law has been interpreted to include live streaming video because it is a public place that people can access from anywhere in the world.
Closed Captions vs Open Captions
Closed captions can be turned on and off by the viewer, while open captions are always visible. Open captions are typically used for videos that don’t have audio or when the audio is not in English. In addition, Open captions are required by the FCC for all live and pre-recorded English and Spanish language television programs that are shown on TV captions.
How to Add Closed Captions to Your Live Streaming?
There are a few ways to add closed captions to your live stream. The easiest way is to use an automated captioning service, which will provide you with real-time captions that you can display on your live stream.
Another option is to use human captioners, who will type out the captions in real-time as they listen to the audio of your live stream. This option is more expensive but may be necessary if you have difficult or fast-paced dialogue.
You can also add closed captions to your live stream after the fact by including them in the post-production process. This is a good option if you want more control over the accuracy of the captions or if you want to add them to a recorded live stream.
Regardless of which method you choose, it’s important to test your closed captions before you go live. This will ensure that they are accurate and that your viewers will be able to understand them.
Final Thoughts
Closed captions for live streaming videos can be a great way to make your content accessible to a wider audience and improve your SEO. Just be sure to familiarize yourself with the requirements and laws before you start using them.
