[dbaust] Summary of Delivery Options for AD on TV

From: "Erika Webb" <dmarc-noreply@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> (Redacted sender "erikaweb" for DMARC)
To: Erika Webb <erikaweb@xxxxxxxxxxxx>
Date: Wed, 8 Nov 2017 03:58:19 +0000 (UTC)

----- Forwarded Message -----

From: Lauren Henley lauren.henley@xxxxxxx.auSent: Thursday, 2 November 2017,
12:08
Subject: Summary of Delivery Options for AD on TV

Dear members and colleagues,    In a recent email to the
lists, I explained that the Audio Description Working Group is currently
exploring three different delivery methods for audio description on television.
I am now providing you with further detail about what each of these options
looks like in practice.    We will be discussing these 3 options in further
detail during our upcoming teleconferences on audio description on television.
If you would like to attend one of these teleconferences but have not yet
registered, you will need to do so as soon as possible. You can register by
phoning the office on (03) 9654 1400 or free call 1800 033 660, or by sending
an email tobca@xxxxxxxxxx.
Teleconference dates and times are as follows: •            Tuesday 14
November, 7:30 PM to 9:00 PM South Australian time.  5:00 PM to 6:30 PM Perth
time.  8:00 PM – 9:30 PM Eastern Daylight Saving Time.  Please check local
times. •            Wednesday 15 November, 1:30 PM to 3:00 PM South Australian
time.  11:00 AM to 12: 30 PM Perth time.  2:00 PM – 3:30 PM Eastern Daylight
Saving Time.  Please check local times.    If you will not be registering to
attend one of these teleconferences, feel free to provide your feedback on the
3 delivery options outlined below by return email.
Summary of the three delivery options

Option 1 - Broadcast on terrestrial television

How it would work
An additional audio description track is broadcast through the television.
Users can turn the audio description on or off, similar to captioning.
Pros
·      Convenient access for many people who watch broadcast TV. ·      Does
not require access to the internet or other devices. ·      People wanting
audio description can watch a program at the same time as other viewers.
Cons
·      Audio description is available at the time the program is broadcast on
a fixed schedule so if you miss the show, there is no flexibility to watch
catch-up services or a back catalogue of programs with audio description. ·
Australians receive broadcast free-to-air and pay TV services in a range of
ways (terrestrial transmission, satellite, retransmission through Foxtel or
Fetch TV) and using a range of equipment (TVs, set tops of various brands and
ages) so testing would need to be conducted to ensure AD is available to all
viewers and does not interfere with the regular broadcast signal. Broadcasters
may also need to replace or upgrade equipment and systems. This process may
take some time (possibly several years).
Option 2 - Online video on demand service

How it would work
Similar to the ABC’s iView trial from 2015 and 2016, users can play programs
with audio description using a computer, a tablet or a connected TV (e.g. a
Smart TV or connected via an Apple or Chrome device).
Pros
·      Convenient access for users who already have an internet connection and
a device to watch. ·      There is flexibility to watch programs with audio
description on demand and capacity for a back catalogue of programs with audio
description providing more choice over time. If two programs with audio
description are shown at the same time on broadcast TV, users would be able to
watch both on a catch up service. ·      The audio description service would be
unlikely to interfere with other services unless audio description is
accidentally selected by a user.
Cons
·      Depending on the content and policy of the network, there may be a
delay between the program being broadcast on TV and being available online with
audio description. ·      Some users may not have access to or may not engage
with digital technology and it may be challenging to learn, especially for
people who are new to vision loss. There may also be affordability issues for
data and devices. ·      There may be privacy concerns if users have to
register for an online service (this is not the case for all catch up
services). ·      Depending on the platform, broadcasters may need to upgrade
software for all versions of the catch up app and a testing period would be
required to ensure full accessibility for users (as was the case during the ABC
iView trial). This process may take several months.
Option 3 - AD provided through the BAM app/phone solution

How it would work
Users can watch broadcast TV but receive the audio description separately
through an application on a smartphone or tablet, or through a regular
telephone call. The audio description syncs with the video’s audio. The
BAMdescribe app can be downloaded through the Apple App store and you can
sample audio described children’s TV.
Pros
·      Convenient access for users with a smartphone or users with a landline
telephone. ·      The landline option is available for those who may not have
access to the internet or digital devices. The audio description landline call
is likely to be the cost of a local call or free. ·      Audio description
users can watch a program at the same time as other viewers. ·      Users can
also listen to the audio description track and program audio separately without
needing to sync with the video (i.e. like a podcast). ·      As the BAM app
only uses an audio file, data consumption is considerably less than that of a
full video steam. ·       There is capacity to build a back catalogue of
programs with audio description providing more choice over time. ·      As the
AD service is separate to the broadcast, there would be no risk of interference
with other services. ·      The service is already available for children’s TV
and could be expanded for broader audiences within a few months.
Cons
·      In relation to the app, some users may not engage with digital
technology and it may be challenging to learn, especially for people who are
new to vision loss. There may also be affordability issues for data and
devices. ·      The BAMdescribe app is currently available for Apple users,
with an Android version still in development. The landline phone solution has
been developed but has not yet rolled out. ·      BAM is currently in
negotiation with a number of broadcasters and content providers. Due to
commercial arrangements, we do not have further detail at this time. ·
Users would not be able to make and receive landline phone calls when using the
AD landline solution.        Lauren Henley Policy and Advocacy Coordinator
Blind Citizens Australia Level 3, Ross House 247-251 Flinders Lane]) Melbourne
VIC 3000 Phone: 03 9654 1400 Fax: 03 9650 3200 Toll free:1800 033 660
Email:lauren.henley@xxxxxxxxxx Web:www.bca.org.au
Facebook:  www.facebook.com/BlindCitizensAustralia Twitter:  @au_BCA    ABN: 90
006 985 226    BCA acknowledges the traditional owners of country throughout
Australia, and their continuing connection to land, sea and community. We pay
our respects to them and their cultures, and to elders both past and present.

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[dbaust] Summary of Delivery Options for AD on TV

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