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Channel 4 Streaming Website Accessibility Statement

Channel 4 is committed to providing a website that is accessible to the widest possible audience, regardless of ability, capability or technology.

Accessibility statement for Channel 4 Streaming website - channel4.com

This accessibility statement applies to the Channel 4 Streaming website channel4.com.

Channel 4 is committed to providing a streaming service that is accessible to the widest possible audience, regardless of ability, capability or technology.

At Channel 4, we routinely check web pages - when amendments are made to existing pages and when new pages are released - to ensure that they meet our accessibility requirements. We respond positively to feedback regarding the accessibility of any of our screens or services. We aim to conform to the World Wide Web Consortium's (W3C's) Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG), to AA level, wherever possible.

This website is run by Channel 4. We want as many people as possible to be able to use this website. For example:

  • The site has been cross-platform and cross-browser tested and is currently compatible with modern, up-to-date browsers.
  • Logical and consistent navigation is provided for keyboard users.
  • Our player provides keyboard access (via tabbing and space bar).
  • Links can be understood out of context for screen reader users.
  • Links are highlighted on keyboard focus.
  • Site search facilities have been implemented to find programmes quickly.
  • We’ve made the website text as simple as possible to understand.
  • Screen reader navigation is supported, using the standard keyboard commands for that particular screen reader software. We test our website using;
    • JAWS version 18.0 and above Screen Reader on desktop
    • NVDA screen reader on desktop
    • Voiceover for mobile web on iOS devices
    • Talkback for mobile web on Android devices
  • Although we do not test the Channel4.com website internally with Dragon Naturally Speaking software, the site is built in such a way as to be compatible with this tool. Any limitations will be identified in our accessibility audits which are undertaken periodically, and rectified when possible.
  • The UI is tested to conform to colour contrast ratios as set out in WCAG guidelines.
  • The website supports 200% text resizing without loss of content or functionality.
  • The website supports reflow of content up to 400% without truncation of text or need for horizontal scrolling on desktop.
  • Channel 4 does not currently offer alternate colour schemes, however, you can use the controls in your browser to change the size of the text or the colour of the display.
  • On the occasions that we utilise popups on our website we ensure that these are compatible with a screen reader and keyboard.
  • Links to pages and other websites will open in the same window unless otherwise stated within the link text, or before a list of links.
  • Some links may also open in a new layer – like a pop up – on top of the page you are viewing. For example within the link text:
    • Digital Accessibility Centre (opens in a new window)
    • The text ‘(opens in a new window)’ will be hidden off screen for screen reader users.
    • Please note: The keyboard shortcut for opening links in a new window may be different depending on your browser and operating system.
  • Video content can be played on desktop computer, as well as on mobile and tablets on Android and iOS devices.
  • Playback in portrait orientation is supported on mobile and tablet devices.
  • Content can be watched with Subtitles where a speech bubble icon is displayed.
    • 99.9% of the content on the Channel 4 Streaming website has the subtitles feature, including video on demand and live content.
    • Programmes can be filtered by a ‘Subtitled’ option within categories.
  • Content can be watched with Audio Description where an 'AD' icon is displayed.
    • Across the Channel 4 Streaming platforms which support Audio Description, around 40% of our programme hours have this access service, and we’re adding new titles all the time.
    • The ‘Audio Described’ category can be found within the Categories section. Programmes can also be filtered by an ‘Audio Described’ within each category.
  • We have a curated signed collection, containing some of our most popular shows with British Sign Language interpretation. This is available from the homepage or by going to channel4.com/signed, or searching the word 'signed'. Signed programmes or episodes feature a BSL icon as part of their main image. We are adding new titles to this collection all the time, as well as looking to improve the navigation to these programmes.

How accessible this website is
We know some parts of this website are not fully accessible.

  • Assistive technologies: Whilst the following assistive technologies are compatible with most of the site, you may experience issues with older versions of these applications or other assistive technologies.
    • JAWS version 18.0 and above Screen Reader on desktop
    • NVDA screen reader on desktop
    • Voiceover for Apple desktop, tablet and mobile devices when using the Safari browser
    • TalkBack for mobile web on Chrome

If you experience any issues with the assistive technologies listed, please feel free to get in touch via our contact us form or by emailing accessibility@channel4.co.uk

  • TV Guide: As a legacy area of Channel 4 Streaming, we are aware of multiple accessibility issues with the existing TV Guide, particularly for screen reader users. For example, issues around focusable elements, focus order, link purpose and sub-optimal attribution of name, role and value when selecting links. This section of the Channel 4 website is being reviewed.
  • Account Settings/Channel4+: We are aware that some of the Channel4+ related pages present navigation issues including; incorrect order announcement of errors and a missing error announcement on the Payment Details page. There are also tabbing and reading order issues affecting multiple screen readers on the Channel4+ Account Settings page. We are currently working on a solution to these.
  • On the Channel4+Payment Details page;
    • Not all errors are announced, affecting the CVV field in payment details form only – TalkBack
    • Order of announcements of errors, affecting the CVV field in payment details form only – TalkBack and Voiceover
  • In the Channel4+ section of Account Settings
    • Tabbing and reading order issues affecting multiple screen readers.
  • Watch Live: We have found issues with keyboard access, visual heading markup and button labelling and are currently working on a solution to these.
  • End of playback experience: Currently the auto-play feature is not a setting which the user can control. For example, when one episode ends, another plays automatically. This means that auto-play is enabled by default. We are currently working on a solution to this.
  • Access services on advertising: Audio Description and Subtitles/Closed captions are not currently supported on our advertising content.
  • Mobile playback volume slider: Currently users can turn the sound on and off during the programme via the volume icon in the Channel 4 Streaming player. However, the volume level itself can only be controlled via the device.
  • Switch Access: Whilst we do not test with Switch technology, we are working to ensure that all content can be accessed without relying on gestures, and that wherever possible we provide a single tap alternative on mobile web and single pointer alternative on desktop.
  • Browser Compatibility: The site has been cross-platform and cross-browser tested and is currently compatible with modern, up-to-date browsers. However, you may experience issues with older versions of these browsers or other web browsers. If you experience any issues, please feel free to get in touch via our contact us form or by emailing accessibility@channel4.co.uk
  • Web Standards and Technologies: This website has been developed to conform to World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) standards for HTML (HyperText Mark-up Language) and CSS (Cascading Style Sheets).
  • This website is reliant upon HTML and CSS to render content. Additional technologies including JavaScript have been utilised in order to enhance functionality. Every effort has been made to make these technologies as accessible as possible.

Feedback and contact information

You can contact our Viewer Enquiries team via one of the methods below:

  • Email us at accessibility@channel4.co.uk
  • Contact us via our phone number on 0345 076 0191 (standard local landline rate, mobile costs may differ)
  • For anyone who is Deaf, hearing or speech impaired or unable to make a voice-based call, you can also contact us during opening hours using one of the following:

Our opening hours are:
Monday to Friday 10am to 7pm
Saturday 10am to 6pm
Sunday 10am to 4pm
Bank Holidays: 10am to 4pm

We’ll consider your request and get back to you in as short a time frame as possible.

If you need information on this website in a different format like accessible PDF or large print, please contact us using one of the methods above.

You may find it useful to visit the Frequently Asked Questions page on our 4Viewers website, where you will find further information on using the Channel 4 Streaming Service if you have a disability or impairment. If required, we can provide FAQ information via a Word or Excel document. Please get in touch via our contact us form, or email us - accessibility@channel4.co.uk - to arrange this.

Reporting accessibility problems with this website

We’re always looking to improve the accessibility of our streaming service. If you find any problems not listed on this page or think we’re not meeting accessibility requirements, contact us by using one of the methods above under the ‘Feedback and contact information’ section.

You can also write to us at Channel 4 Enquiries, PO Box 1058, Belfast. BT1 9DU or contact us on X (formerly Twitter), find our account @4Viewers here -> 4Viewers (@4Viewers) / X (twitter.com)

Technical information about this website’s accessibility

Channel 4 is committed to making its streaming service accessible, in accordance with the Equality Act 2010.

Compliance status

This website is partially compliant with the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines version 2.1 AA standard, due to the non-compliances listed below.

Non-accessible content

The content listed below is non-accessible for the following reasons.

Non-compliance with the accessibility regulations

Non-compliant areas of the site are specified below including WCAG references.

  • TV Guide: As a legacy area of Channel 4 Streaming, we are aware of multiple accessibility issues. For example, issues around focusable elements, focus order, link purpose and sub-optimal attribution of name, role and value when selecting links as well as colour contrast failures. These fail the following WCAG 2.1 success criterion:
    • 2.4.3 Focus Order
    • 1.3.1 Info and Relationships
    • 4.1.2 Name, Role, Value
    • 2.1.1 Keyboard
    • 2.4.4 Link Purpose (In Context)
    • 3.3.2 Labels or Instructions
    • 4.1.3 Status Messages
    • 1.4.11 Non-text Contrast
    • 1.4.4 Resize text
    • 1.4.3 Contrast – minimum

The TV Guide section of the Channel 4 website is being reviewed.

  • Account Settings/Channel4+: We are aware that some of the Channel4+ related pages present navigation issues. On the Payment Details page; Not all errors are announced (Talkback only), affecting the CVV field in the payment details form. The errors are announced in the incorrect order, affecting the CVV field only (TalkBack and Voiceover). In the Channel4+ section of Account Settings page; Tabbing and reading order issues affect multiple screen readers. These fail the following WCAG 2.1 success criterion:
    • 3.3.1 Error Identification
    • 3.3.3 Error Suggestion
    • 1.3.1 Information and Relationships
    • 2.4.3 Focus Order

We expect to have the Account Settings and Channel 4+ issues resolved before year end 2024.

  • Watch Live:
  • We have found issues during swiping gesture on Android mobile web only, whereby the player controls are visually hidden despite focus remaining on the player controls. This will affect low vision users.
  • In addition, during navigation through the player controls on Android, focus unexpectedly moves outside of the player.
  • There is also an issue when switching between channels which affects Voiceover users of Safari, on iOS devices, whereby the incorrect screen reader announcement is made. These fail the following WCAG
    2.1 success criterion:
    • 2.4.3 Focus Order
    • 1.3.1. Information and Relationships
    • 4.1.2. Name, Role, Value

We are currently working on a solution to these.

  • End of playback experience: When the ‘Watch more’ layer opens, we do not currently offer the ability to turn auto-playing content off other than by closing the player. The ‘Watch More’ layer has been attributed an incorrect role which may affect screen reader users’ identification of this feature. We have also identified instances of chevron buttons which lack accessible names, this will impact screen reader and voice activation users. This fails the following WCAG 2.1 success criterion:
    • 2.2.2 Pause, Stop, Hide
    • 1.3.1 Info and Relationships
    • 4.1.2 Name, Role, Value
    • 2.4.3 Focus Order
  • Mobile playback volume slider: Currently users can turn the sound on and off during the programme via the volume icon in the Channel 4 Streaming player. However, the volume level itself can only be controlled via the device. This fails the following
    WCAG 2.1 success criterion:
    • 2.1.1. Keyboard accessible
    • 2.5.1 Pointer Gestures

We are working on solutions to these issues.

What we’re doing to improve accessibility

In order to offer and maintain high standards of accessibility on our streaming service, the Digital Accessibility Centre (DAC) have reviewed this website against WCAG 2.1 Guidelines in August 2022.

The website is constantly being improved in response to accessibility issues which have been raised via this audit and through other sources such as user feedback and research.

A follow up re-test by the DAC is planned before year end 2024.

For more information about Digital Accessibility Centre accessibility auditing, please visit the Digital Accessibility Centre website (opens in new window).

Preparation of this accessibility statement

This statement was prepared June 2019. It was last reviewed on 22nd August 2024

This website was last tested on 15th September 2022. The test was carried out by Digital Accessibility Centre.

Every section of the Channel 4 Streaming service website has been tested against WCAG 2.1 Guidelines, with the exception of the end of playback experience on Mobile Web which has been tested against WCAG 2.2 Guidelines.