Access Services on Channel 4 in 2022

4 March 2022

Channel 4 reaffirms its overall commitment to providing access services for its audiences and will also deliver 86 hours of access services-supported programming during the Beijing 2022 Winter Paralympic Games

Channel 4 is reaffirming its commitment to providing world-class access services for its audiences in 2022, continuing to both over-deliver on the existing regulatory quotas and surpassing the commitments of other UK broadcasters.

“Channel 4 has always delivered a greater range of programmes with access services provision than required by regulation,” commented Jonathan Allan. Chief Operating Officer, Channel 4. “While Channel 4 did exceed the regulatory targets set by Ofcom, we would like to apologise once again to everyone who was affected by the severe technology incident at the end of last year that affected our services. This year not only will every programme on our linear channels and All 4 be subtitled, but we are increasing the number of programmes that are audio described and have BSL provision.”

In 2022, Channel 4 will:

• Return to 100% subtitles across all linear channels;
• Commit to achieve 100% subtitles on All 4 by the end of 2022;
• Increase signing from 5% to 10% on Channel 4 and E4;
• Increase Audio Description to 45% on all its linear channels;
• Increase the number of signed and audio described Box-sets on All 4.

Following the announcement that Channel 4 will be the first broadcaster to have an all-disabled presenting team for the Beijing 2022 Winter Paralympics, it will also provide 86-hours of sporting coverage with access services for audiences during the Games.

Subtitles will be available for both the Opening and Closing Ceremonies of the Games, its live sports coverage as well as the daily Breakfast and Highlights shows.  The Highlights programmes will also be available to watch on More 4 with audio description and BSL provision, and all programmes will also be available to watch on All 4.

“Channel 4 is immensely proud that, in a global first, its entire presenting team for the Beijing 2022 Winter Paralympics are disabled,” continued Allan. “This not only underlines our commitment to providing opportunities for people with disabilities but also demonstrates the wealth of disabled talent that exists in the UK. Therefore, this year we will also continue to work with a range of organisations to ensure that we continue to focus and invest on providing services and opportunities for our audiences with disabilities.”