Did you know that roughly 70% of viewers say they watch television on a computer rather than a standard TV? With the rise of streaming services like Netflix and Hulu, people are finding new ways to watch their favorite films and TV shows on the go.
The Federal Communications Commission outlines specific guidelines for ensuring the accessibility of digital media with closed captions. However, media production companies may want to consider providing additional accommodations for viewers who are Deaf or hard of hearing. One such accommodation is transcription. By offering transcripts of TV shows and movies, production companies can provide their audiences a more equitable viewing experience.
What is TV Transcription?
Transcription refers to the process of converting audio or video to text. Transcripts serve as a readable version of a piece of audio or video content. There are two primary styles of transcription: Verbatim transcription and non-verbatim transcription.
In verbatim transcription, a video or audio recording is transcribed word-for-word. These transcripts will include all audio elements of a recording including grammatical errors, repeated words, filler sounds and more.
Non-verbatim transcripts, however, are heavily edited in order to convey only the main ideas of a recording. A non-verbatim transcript can serve as a valuable educational tool. However, it’s important not to view these a comprehensive representation of a piece of audio or video content.
For that reason, verbatim transcription is often the best choice for TV transcription. In order to provide equitable viewing experiences for those who are Deaf or hard of hearing, TV show transcripts should reflect each and every audio element that viewers who are not affected by hearing loss experience. Captioners can then use these transcripts to create the closed captions that appear on-screen during a TV show or film.
Can You Get a Transcript of a TV Show?
There are several methods for transcribing television shows and films. Some production companies use in-house employees to transcribe their content. Unfortunately, untrained employees are prone to making a substantial number of transcription errors. It’s important to understand that in order to support the guidelines established by the FCC and ADA, transcripts and captions must achieve a high level of accuracy. Transcripts that individuals without adequate training create may contain errors that are embarrassing and even offensive.
For this reason, some production companies may employ professional human transcribers for their transcription projects. While these trained professionals are capable of achieving high levels of accuracy, human transcribers frequently encounter bandwidth issues. As a result, these professionals can be expensive and may require significant time and resources to complete large-scale projects.
Those media professionals looking for a cost-effective transcription solution that doesn’t compromise on accuracy can turn to professional television transcription services like Verbit. Verbit’s dual approach to transcription makes it possible for clients to receive transcripts with up to 99% accuracy in as little as four hours. Verbit’s final transcripts are fully searchable. Additionally, users can download these in a number of different file formats to maximize their utility. Verbit can also use these transcripts to create accurate caption files to accompany film and television content. Additionally, Verbit’s real-time services support live broadcasts live sports events, sermons and more, on a wide range of platforms.
Verbit’s Process: How Does it Work?
Verbit’s platform makes it fast and easy for production companies to generate a high volume of accurate transcripts through a simple upload and download process. Here’s how it works:
- Step 1: Users upload their media content to Verbit’s platform.
- Step 2: Verbit uses its proprietary Artificial Intelligence software to transcribe the content.
- Step 3: Verbit’s professional human transcribers edit and review the ASR transcript..
- Step 4: Verbit makes the edited transcript available for download on its platform.
Who Benefits from TV and Film Transcription?
More and more people are “cutting the cord” and turning to streaming and subscription services for their film and television viewing. As a result, it’s no longer sufficient to expect viewers to rely on the [CC] button on a remote control for their accessibility needs. While offering accurate transcripts and captions is a tried-and-true way to support audience members who are Deaf or hard of hearing, there are additional benefits of TV transcription services.
Written transcripts are a valuable resource for any individual who needs or prefers to receive information in a readable format. This may be the case for viewers with ADHD, auditory processing disorders, and some individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder. Transcripts can also improve the viewing experiences of audience members who are consuming content in a non-native language. This use-case can expand the reach of content and offer better educational experiences for viewers watching documentaries.
Production companies themselves can also benefit significantly from transcribing their content. Written transcripts, particularly those with search functionality, are an excellent record-keeping tool. Having readable versions of video content on hand can streamline a production company’s archival process. This can make it easier for a company’s legal department to respond to challenges like allegations of misquotation or misrepresentation. Media companies that prioritize the accessibility of their content can set themselves apart from their competitors. At the same time, these creators are helping to make a positive impression upon their viewers.
Working with Verbit to Boost Accessibility, Inclusivity and Efficiency
Verbit is proud to offer a full suite of accessibility solutions like captioning, transcription, translation and audio description to help media production companies build more diverse audiences. Whether watching videos on a TV, tablet, phone or computer, viewers deserve the ability to fully engage with that content.
Verbit is a proud partner of major media corporations like CNN and Fox because we recognize the importance of creating content that is inclusive of everyone. Producing content for film and television requires hefty amounts of both time and capital. Verbit’s captioning and transcription solutions can help media companies maximize their return on these investments. Verbit’s seamless integrations can help support a wide range of digital media throughout multiple points in the production process. Reach out to learn how Verbit helps media production companies like yours offer their evolving audiences accessible viewing experiences.