RTL Group | Munich, 02/08/2022

RTL Zwei further increases share of accessible content

Subject: Society
Country: Germany
Category: Project

The TV station is adding subtitles and audio description to more and more of its programs - like the new episodes of the report series "Armes Deutschland - Stempeln oder abrackern? Last year, more than a third of the program lineup was already available with subtitles. During prime time, all formats are broadcast with subtitles, as are the early evening soaps on Mon-days to Fridays.

RTL Zwei is continuously expanding its programming for the hearing and visually impaired. Last year, more than a third of its programming was already available with subtitles, according to the Munich-based TV station. Today, the new episodes of the report series "Armes Deutschland - Stempeln oder abrackern?" start with both subtitles and audio description.

Last year, RTL Zwei said it had increased the proportion of its accessible content by seven percent over the previous year. All prime-time formats from 8:15 p.m. to 10 p.m. are now sub-titled, as are the early-evening soaps "Köln 50667" and "Berlin - Tag & Nacht" from Monday to Friday. The dating show "Love Island" was also subtitled live. More formats are to be added in the current year, including the weekly magazine "Mein neuer Alter."

"Contribution to the important topic of inclusion"

Since 2019, RTL Zwei has also provided an audiovisual description of its formats for visually impaired viewers. The latest example is the new episodes of "Armes Deutschland," which feature both audio description and subtitles for the hearing-impaired. Other in-house produc-tions and feature films offering all-around accessible TV are to follow. "Accessible content is a high priority for us as a program provider," says Tom Zwiessler, head of programming at RTL Zwei. "I am pleased that we are offering more content here year after year and thus making a contribution to the important topic of inclusion. In the future, we'll also be taking a look at digital distribution channels." RTL Zwei is working with Berlin-based companies No Limits Media and Greta & Starks to create and broadcast the subtitles and audio descriptions.