Closed Captioning of Video Programming

The Commission adopts rules implementing Section 713 of the Communications Act of 1934, as amended. Section 713, Video Programming Accessibility, was added to the Communications Act by section 305 of the Telecommunications Act of 1996 and directed the Commission to adopt rules by August 8, 1998, that generally require the closed captioning of video programming. The rules adopted by the Commission generally assign responsibility for compliance with the closed captioning requirements to the entity which delivers the programming to the consumer, establish separate transition schedules for programming first published or exhibited on or after the effective date of these rules and for programming first published or exhibited prior to the effective date of the rules, provide for a number of exemptions authorized by Congress and establish mechanisms for enforcement and compliance review. These rules are intended to increase the accessibility of video programming for persons with hearing disabilities.