The FCC deadline no one noticed
Are you really ready for the FCC’s next accessibility deadline?
The FCC isn’t slowing down—and neither should you. Every year, new markets come under the audio description rule, and the compliance net widens. If you’re waiting for a complaint to reveal the gaps in your workflow, you’re already behind. The question isn’t if your operation must comply—it’s when and how prepared you’ll be when that day comes.
What exactly must your station deliver each quarter—and on which streams? When does your DMA fall under the rule, and what workflow changes will that trigger? Does your on-demand or OTT catalog fall under these mandates—or is it just a matter of time? The FCC’s audio description requirements are expanding, and the burden of proof is on you.
What Is Descriptive Audio?
Audio description, formerly known as “video description”, is narration that brings television to life for viewers who are blind or have low vision. It describes key visual elements like scene changes, actions, and on-screen text, delivered through a secondary audio program (SAP). It’s not optional—it’s about accessibility, inclusion, and compliance with federal law.
Who must comply? Top-four network affiliates in covered DMAs must air 50 hours of described programming each quarter in primetime or children’s programming, plus another 37.5 hours between 6 a.m. and midnight on every included program stream. All network affiliates must pass through audio description when technically capable, and MVPDs with 50,000 or more subscribers face similar quarterly and pass-through requirements.
For content creators and broadcasters, audio description is more than a regulatory checkbox—it’s an opportunity to reach millions of underserved viewers. According to the American Council of the Blind, over 7 million adults in the U.S. experience visual impairments significant enough to benefit from described content. By integrating AD early into your workflow, you’re not just staying compliant—you’re expanding your audience, improving viewer satisfaction, and strengthening your brand’s reputation for accessibility and inclusion.
The Countdown Is On
Right now, FCC rules only require closed captioning for full-length online videos that previously aired on TV with captions. There’s no blanket mandate for audio description on internet-only video—yet. Device rules under the CVAA already require AD activation support, and Congress continues to explore expanding accessibility laws to IP video. The writing is on the wall—future compliance will reach beyond broadcast.
The FCC is expanding the rule by ten new DMAs every January 1 until all 210 U.S. markets are covered by 2035. That means your deadline isn’t hypothetical—it’s on the calendar. When the rule reaches your market, the expectation is full readiness—no excuses, no grace period, and no time for last-minute fixes. With each new DMA rollout, engineering teams face mounting pressure to audit signal chains, upgrade legacy automation, and validate every SAP audio path end-to-end. Compliance is no longer isolated to the master control room—it touches ingest, playout, distribution, and even OTT repackaging. The stations that start now will glide through the transition; those that wait will be left scrambling to retrofit outdated gear under FCC scrutiny.
What this means for your operation
Compliance isn’t just about meeting a quota—it’s about building an unbroken accessibility chain.
How EAR can help
EAR has teamed up with Invintus Media to make compliance seamless with the tools and expertise to keep you ahead of the curve. Our combined solutions cover every stage of the workflow—from AD-ready encoders and automation integration to best-practice routing that ensures your secondary audio paths stay intact. We help design scheduling and pass-through workflows that meet the full 87.5-hour quarterly requirement, supported by real-time monitoring and reporting with missing-audio alerts and audit-ready performance logs. We also provides hands-on training and checklists so your production teams deliver descriptive audio assets on time, in spec, and ready for air. Ask about our State and local contracts for easy quotations and purchasing!
Don’t wait for a knock on the door
FCC accessibility enforcement isn’t a maybe—it’s a matter of when. Get ahead of the curve now, protect your operation, and serve every viewer with confidence. EAR is ready to help you design, monitor, and deliver compliance the right way—before the deadline delivers it for you.
About EAR
Every day, EAR reaches over 100 million people through our comprehensive range of professional products and services. As a trusted reseller of cutting-edge content creation and broadcast systems, we deliver the exact solutions remote production teams need now.
Our specialized experience enables breakthrough remote workflows. From corporate communications to worship broadcasting, we pride ourselves on delivering extensive expertise that keeps you at the top of the rapidly evolving remote content creation landscape.
EAR Product & Services
