Audio Description

Audio description is the insertion of audio narrated descriptions of a television program's key visual elements into natural pauses in the program's dialogue, which makes video programming more accessible to individuals who are blind or visually impaired. CBS makes audio description available as a secondary audio service (also sometimes referred to as a secondary audio program or SAP) for selected programs.

Since 2002, CBS has continuously provided audio description. In 2012 the FCC reinstated regulations which mandated that CBS, and certain other broadcasters provide audio described programming. CBS is proud to have been an industry leader and innovator in the voluntary provision of audio description and is 100% compliant with the FCC’s regulations. The FCC currently requires CBS to provide 87.5 hours of audio described content per calendar quarter (about 7 hours per week). In fact, CBS voluntarily far exceeds the required hours of audio description by providing it for nearly the entire CBS primetime schedule and for 100% of our educational/informational schedule.

CBS also offers live audio description for selected programs including THE GOLDEN GLOBE AWARDS, THE GRAMMY AWARDS®, THE NAACP IMAGE AWARDS and THE TONY AWARDS. CBS will continue to offer live audio description for selected programs during the 2025/2026 season.

During the 2025/2026 season, CBS will broadcast the following primetime programs with audio description for the visually impaired: