FCC Issues Video Description Reinstatement NPRM


The FCC released a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (FCC 11-36) proposing rules to reinstate the requirement that broadcaster and multichannel video programming distributors (MVPDs) provide and distribute "video descriptions." These are narrative descriptions of the TV programs key visual elements inserted during silence in the main dialog. The NPRM mostly deals with the type and amount of programming that will require video description and who will be required to carry it.

There is one technical change proposed. The NPRM notes that current rules incorporate the ATSC digital broadcast standard by reference, but have not been updated to reflect the 2010 revisions to the A/53 standard. The FCC proposes to update the rules to incorporate A/53 Part 5:2010, which drops an option for transmitting video description that is rarely implemented and retains the option that's compatible with all DTV tuners. The option remaining is for transmitting a complete audio service with the video description narrative included. The rarely-used option is for transmitting the video description only on an audio PID, and depends on the television receiver to mix it with program audio.

The NPRM notes that with the transition to digital, broadcasters are no longer limited to transmitting one primary audio channel along with a secondary audio channel. While broadcasters can add a video description channel simply by adding an audio encoder for it and assigning the audio to a separate PID described as a "VI" (Visually Impaired) service, once the signal leaves the broadcast plant, things become more complicated. Many, if not most, cable set-top boxes only support two audio channels. Off-air DTV receivers may support more audio choices, but they may not be properly identified as video description channels. Broadcasters, cable companies and device manufacturers are working together to resolve these issues, but it will take a long time to replace existing receivers and set-top boxes. The industry will need to educate viewers on how to receive video description audio on their cable set-top boxes and off-air receivers.

Doug Lung

Doug Lung is one of America's foremost authorities on broadcast RF technology. As vice president of Broadcast Technology for NBCUniversal Local, H. Douglas Lung leads NBC and Telemundo-owned stations’ RF and transmission affairs, including microwave, radars, satellite uplinks, and FCC technical filings. Beginning his career in 1976 at KSCI in Los Angeles, Lung has nearly 50 years of experience in broadcast television engineering. Beginning in 1985, he led the engineering department for what was to become the Telemundo network and station group, assisting in the design, construction and installation of the company’s broadcast and cable facilities. Other projects include work on the launch of Hawaii’s first UHF TV station, the rollout and testing of the ATSC mobile-handheld standard, and software development related to the incentive auction TV spectrum repack.
A longtime columnist for TV Technology, Doug is also a regular contributor to IEEE Broadcast Technology. He is the recipient of the 2023 NAB Television Engineering Award. He also received a Tech Leadership Award from TV Tech publisher Future plc in 2021 and is a member of the IEEE Broadcast Technology Society and the Society of Broadcast Engineers.