Amazon. com Help Select Alternative Audio Tracks or Audio Descriptions on Prime Video on Connected
Amazon. com Help: Select Alternative Audio Tracks or Audio Descriptions on Prime Video on Connected Devices
Streaming Media Players for TV
Many new TV sets offer Internet access with built-in access to multiple streaming services. Alternatively, you may purchase a number of devices which plug into a TV input port (an HDMI connector), and from there you switch the input to that port, answer setup questions one time to connect to your wireless internet, possibly download one or more free apps, and then access the services listed below through this new device and its own remote. On some TVs, the device is actually built-in. While there may be a few other similar devices, here is a list of the most popular ones:
- Apple TV (it's an adapter device, not a TV): this is one of the most expensive options with the most bells and whistles. Amazon Fire stick or any member of the Fire family (listen to this podcast on Toshiba Fire TV and Amazon's Fire Cube). Note: The Amazon Fire TV Recast is not one of these devices: It is a DVR which can be used in conjunction with another access device. Roku Stick or any member of the Roku family (see this Roku product review for blind users). CAUTION:Users report that Roku does not support AD on most services!
Airline In-Flight Entertainment Systems
Streaming Services
The following section lists All we know about video streaming services, with the ones actually providing some description listed first. Most, but not all, require a subscription or pay-per-view. Our table is divided into four categories:
Note: Any reference to pricing is subject to change and is rounded up to the nearest dollar. Some services offer a discount for paying for a full year.
HAVE-AD INDEX 
| Service | Description of Offering | Examples |
| Criminal Minds (TV Series), Grace and Frankie (Original Programming), Making a Murderer (Documentary), 3 Indiana Jones and Solo: A Star Wars Story (movies), plus lots of children's programming | ||
| American Sniper, Beauty and the Beast, Ghostbusters, Kingsman: The Golden Circle, Smurfs: The Lost Village, Table 19, The LEGO Batman Movie | ||
 Sep '19 | From Apple: The Apple TV App brings together the different ways to discover and watch shows, movies and more in one app, and is available in over 100 countries on iPhone, iPad, Apple TV, all 2019 Samsung smart TVs and select 2018 models. Customers can subscribe to Apple TV channels within the Apple TV app - paying for only the ones they want - and watch on demand directly in the app. Subscribers can watch and download shows and movies both online and offline. Through Family Sharing, up to six family members can share subscriptions to Apple TV channels using just their Apple The trailers have AD! Select a trailer. And you should hear the audio description, if you have it turned on, on your device. | For Apple TV: Depends on provider. |
 | On November 1, Apple TV+, "the first all-original v The trailers have AD! Select a trailer. And you should hear the audio description, if you have it turned on, on your device. | All original content; titles to include: See, The Morning Show, The Elephant Queen |
| Bosch (TV series), Arrival, Divergent, Fences, Office Christmas Party, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles | ||
Hulu and advocates from the American Council of the Blind (ACB) and Bay State Council of the Blind (BSCB) reached a Settlement agreement in October 2018 to increase the accessibility of Hulu's streaming service to individuals who are blind or have low vision. As a result, Hulu is undertaking efforts to make its website and software applications accessible via screen readers and will provide audio description tracks for streaming content where possible. Content rollout began in 1Q19; but at present, it is only accessible via PC web browsers and Apple TV. See our Audio Description on Hulu page. (The Settlement doesn't require full compliance until January 2020, so implementation is limited so far.) Read Hulu Becomes Latest Streaming Service to Commit to Accessibility for Blind Users, including case documents. Hulu is jointly owned by Disney (full control) and Comcast (33%, silent partner, agreeing to sell its share in 2024). It costs $6/month for the advertising-supported version; $12/month for no ads. They also offer an upgrade to Hulu + Live, but we have no reason be believe it supports description.  Hulu plans to offer the coming Disney+ service as an add-on subscription option this fall. Hulu has over 28 million subscribers. | A Handmaid's Tale (Original Series), Fyre Fraud (Original Documentary), TV Series like Bones and Family Guy | |
| Oct '19 | Disney+ will begin streaming in the USA and Canada on November 12, 2019 for $7/month with a focus on family-friendly shows and movies from Disney, Pixar, Marvel, Lucasfilm (the Star Wars franchise), and National Geographic. In a Disney+ product announcement, They have announced support of Audio Description in the following statement about one of their App's features: "Accessibility: The app offers support for closed captioning, Descriptive audio and navigation assistance to help subscribers with disabilities discover and enjoy their favorite stories." The service will stream on iOS and Android devices, smart TVs, and video game consoles (but not Amazon devices at launch) in resolutions up to 4K and with HDR when available. See the Wikipedia entry on Disney+. An August announcement: $13/month will get you Disney+, Hulu, and ESPN+.
| Tbd officially, but see link to left |
| YouTube TV is a paid OTT (over-the-top) streaming subscription service which streams live TV from the five major broadcast networks in the USA, plus over 50 other channels for $50/month. They refer to this service as Cable-Free Live TV. Our testing indicates that audio description is available, though not 100%. For instance, one user tells us that on-demand content does not have AD, while another user says it is difficult to navigate with an Apple TV. We have also been told that Roku Sticks do not support AD here. We offer this guide to accessing YouTube TV AD, and a user offers this review. | Depends on network | |
| Black-ish, Fresh Off the Boat, Modern Family, Shark Tank | ||
| Aug '19 | The CBS All Access App offers access to live content (in select markets) and over 10,000 previous episodes via streaming devices like Apple TV and ChromeCast, plus iOS and Android devices. There is a fee for service for most content ($6 or $10/month). In August 2019, they began to offer some audio described content. A user who has tested this on an iPhone and Apple TV has reported some difficulty with accessibility of the App, but is otherwise pleased. He recommends using Safari on iOS. Another user says: "When playing a show, swipe down for a menu: info, closed captions, and audio. Go to audio, then languages. If AD is available, it’ll be there. At least that’s how to do it on Apple TV." On an iPhone, the Audio Description option under Accessibility Settings is the only control. | Star Trek Discovery, The Twilight Zone, The Good Fight, NCIS (latest season) |
| Driving Blind (movie), Muse of Fire (documentary), Movie Trailers, Short Films | ||
| The FOX NOW App offers free access to Fox shows for iOS, Android, and other mobile devices; however, They do not offer any audio described content at this time. (They replied to our February 2016 inquiry: "it is not a feature we offer on online streaming at this time.") We asked again in February 2018 and received no reply. | None | |
| The NBC App offers free access to new and classic NBC shows on various devices, including iOS, Android, Amazon Fire, and Roku; however, they Do not offer any audio described content at this time that we know about. We asked for an update in February 2018 and received no reply. | None | |
| The PBS Anywhere App is available for select platforms like Windows 10, iOS, and others. They offer "a rich and varied selection of countless videos." However, as far as we know, They do not offer any audio described content at this time. We asked for an update in February 2018 and received no reply. Please see the PBS Passport entry below. | None | |
And Sep '19 | AT&T TV Now (formerly DirecTV Now) is a fairly new service at $35-$70/month which offers "your favorite live sports, on demand, premium channels, popular shows, and hit movies right to your tablet, smartphone or TV." While They do not offer any audio described content, we were advised in February 2019 that they consider it a high priority and will keep us informed. AT&T has a new box and is beta testing a New streaming service called AT&T TV To replace DirecTV itself as a service. It is separate from AT&T TV Now, with a different lineup. The AT&T TV link above will tell you when the service is coming to your area. As of August 19th, it is available in Orange County, CA, Rivers /> AT&T TV pricing is discussed in this article. | None |
| BritBox bills itself as "The biggest streaming collection of British TV. ever. Dramas, comedies, mysteries, documentaries, soaps, lifestyle and more." Alas, none are audio described. In October 2019, they said that AD was a "great suggestion" that would be passed to their Editorial Team for review. | None | |
| Crackle is a free video streaming service for movies, TV series, and some original programming via Amazon Fire TV, Apple TV, Chromecast, Microsoft Xbox, Roku, and Sony PlayStation; however, It does not offer any audio described content at this time. They said they "will pass along your suggestion." As of late April 2016, Crackle is also available on Comcast's Xfinity TV via their On Demand Guide. The good news here is that Crackle is owned by Sony, and Sony has produced a lot of described content. | None | |
| FandangoNow (formerly M-Go) is a pay-as-you-go rent or purchase site for both movies currently in theaters and previously released, plus current or previous TV series. It operates on a variety of devices; however, It does not offer any audio described content at this time. As of September 2016 they were not able to confirm any plan to offer audio described content. | None | |
HBO and its two streaming services HBO Go and HBO Now do not offer any audio description. See the article HBO’s ‘My Brilliant Friend’ Discriminates Against Blind People.  Sep 2019: In mid-2019, the ACB began informal negotiations with HBO regarding AD. We will report progress here. Technically speaking, HBO has offered at least two programs with AD long ago: "Educating Peter" and "Monica and David," both of which focused on people with disabilities; and they may offer "Moonlight Sonata: Deafness in Three Movements" in December 2019. But since this is so rare and with no further commitment, we leave them listed as not offering description. | None | |
| Sep '19 | In October 2018 AT&T announced that it planned to unveil a digital v /> Sep 2019: In mid-2019, the ACB began informal negotiations with HBO regarding AD. We will report progress here. | Tbd |
 Sep '19 | NBC has announced that it will begin its streaming service named Peacock in April 2020. A lot of content has been announced, and we know this includes The Office and Parks and Rec, both of which have audio description tracks available. They will also offer films from Universal Pictures, Focus Features, DreamWorks Animation, Illumination, and other major studios, plus original series, news, sports, late-night, and reality. Until we hear for sure that the service will offer description, it will remain in this section. Read the September 2019 Peacock announcement from CordCutters. | Tbd |
| PlayStation Vue (owned by Sony) combines live TV (cable stations and some broadcast networks), on-demand programming, and a DVR for streaming to a PlayStation console or other supported devices (such as Apple TV or Amazon Fire stick/TV). We have no reason to believe they support AD. | None | |
| Redbox, known for its red self-service DVD and Blu-ray disc kiosks, also has a streaming service that it calls Redbox On Demand. As far as we know, you cannot access an audio description track as an alternate language. Let us know if you can! | None | |
| Showtime offers a streaming service, but no audio description. In January 2019 they responded to an inquiry from someone as follows: "Unfortunately, at this time Showtime does not offer any described video for any of its content. Neither for original or licensed content." | None | |
| Sling TV, owned by Dish Network, is an OTT (Over the Top) streaming service which offers over 65 channels including CNN, ESPN, TNT, TBS, The Cartoon Network, and Blockbuster on Demand, and supports the usual cadre of devices like iOS and Roku. Subscriptions start at $25/month, discounted for the first three months. Their smartphone App itself does not support audio description; however, they tell us you can access Sling TV via devices that DO support description, such as ROKU sticks. In April, 2019, one of our users tested on an Apple TV and said he could not access description. Until someone can verify description using Sling, it remains here. | None that we can verify. | |
| Toon Goggles is one of several children's programs video streaming services, supporting iOS, Android, and Windows. They Do not offer any audio described content at this time. In February 2018 they indicated they had no timetable for adding it. | None | |
| Vudu, owned by Walmart, offers movies for streaming rental or sale on a variety of devices; however, It does not offer any audio described content at this time that we know about. They passed our February 2016 inquiry along for future consideration. Note: We previously reported that Walmart was planning its own service; but in January 2019 they abandoned that plan. | None | |
| YouTube Premium (formerly YouTube Red) is a subscription streaming service; however, it Does not offer any audio described content at this time. They responded to our inquiry in February 2016 by saying they would pass the request along to their product team. See however YouTube TV above. | None | |
| OTHER SERVICES | N/a | |
| The Public Broadcasting System (PBS) offers a feature called Passport within their PBS V /> October 2018: Someone who tried this said it didn't work, so we have moved it to the Status-Unknown category. If you can confirm this AD service still works, please notify the webmaster. | N/a | |
| X Talk by founder Kevin Shaw is worth listening to.) [November 2017: The information above is pending review, awaiting information from the company.] --> This service was removed from our listing above in November 2017 because their website is not being updated and the support email address does not work. | N/a |
Several studies from late-2015 to 2018 have shown that the dominant player in the fee streaming video market is Netflix by large margin over its nearest competitors: Amazon's Prime Video, HBO Go, Walmart's Vudu, and Hulu. (These statistics do not include the free videos on regular YouTube, a very highly used service.) iTunes actually has more described movies than Netflix has described videos, though if you count individual series episodes, Netflix exceeds iTunes. Also, iTunes only offers movies, while Netflix has a constant influx of new content, and it is all included for one fee, so we still consider Netflix "dominant."
(From Yahoo! Finance article, April 2019)
APPENDIX: Gu /> Oct '19
The following information was supplied by ADP Media Committee member Timothy Wynn in October 2018 based on his experimentation with YouTube TV and has been updated with additional user input. One user reported in July 2019 that Roku Sticks do not support AD. All information here is, of course, subject to change. Please submit your own experience to the webmaster. [Note: SAP means AD, as in has audio description.]
SAP access method:
- Via YouTube TV iOS app: Tab More Actions, Primary (with a triangle next to it), and then Secondary. Via web browser: Left-click the Settings button to the right of "Closed Captions, left-click on the Audio track (2) sub-menu, then left-click on the Secondary radio-button. For some reasons most controls on this site have to be clicked upon rather than using Enter/Space.
- Local channels (ABC, CBS, FOX, and NBC): Have SAP. Primary and secondary audio feeds appear to come directly from local affiliate. PBS: Unavailable from YouTube TV.
- Cartoon Network: Seems to have SAP as indicated by mono audio stream. Disney: Has stereo SAP. TBS: Has SAP. TNT: Has SAP. Turner Classic Movies: Has SAP. USA: no SAP. Note that though it indicates that it can switch to secondary audio, but it's the same as primary audio. The History Channel: Unavailable from YouTube TV.
- Has built-in DVR function which does record the SAP feed; however, the AD tracks are subject to deletion after a day or two. (Updated Oct 2019) On-demand content (not in library): No SAP. (Verified as correct again in October 2019.) Recordings (in library): Has SAP if channel passes it through. Difficult to operate via Apple TV per user (who also reviewed other aspects of the service).
17 Things to Know About Amazon Prime
Amazon Prime is much more than free, two-day shipping. Here's everything you need to know about Amazon's signature service.
We review products independently, but we may earn affiliate commissions from buying links on this page. Terms of use.
Amazon is already a treasure trove of great prices, undercutting a lot of other e-commerce and brick-and-mortar store prices. The savings only get better if you are among the over 100 million people who subscribe to Amazon Prime. It's great for shopping benders, thanks to the service's most basic and best feature: free two-day shipping—soon to be one day shipping standard!—on eligible products. Plus, you get access to all the streaming content they make and license for Prime Video, Amazon's take on Netflix.
If $119 per year for Prime sounds expensive even with all that, there's a month-to-month option for $12.99. If you keep that option for a year or longer, obviously you're not saving much; but if you need free shipping for the holidays or want to binge-watch The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel or The Man in the High Castle for a month or two, it's a good option.
Medicaid recipients and low-income families with a valid Electronic Benefits Transfer card can get Prime even cheaper, at $5.99 per month (though you can't use the EBT card to pay for Prime).
Naturally, if you're a Prime member you can take advantage of Amazon's annual Prime Day, the company's attempt to boost e-commerce in the summer to Black Friday-mania levels. And it seems to be working.
With Prime Day(s) looming on July 15-16, now is the time to use the 30-day free Prime trial. It's worth it, even if you're not going shopping, because Prime includes a slew of other services beyond just shipping and videos. Below, we'll spell out some of the special things you can get.
Whole Foods Discounts
Amazon Prime members can get special discounts at Whole Foods, which Amazon owns. That includes an extra 10 percent off certain sale items (look for the yellow sale signs) plus exclusive weekly deals on select items (denoted with blue "Prime Member Deal" signs). See if it's live at the Whole Foods in your area.
Discounts on Unlocked Phones
Amazon Prime offers discounts for a select few unlocked phones. The discounts are not as steep as they once were, but you can still nab a deal on a phone like the LG G8 and Moto G7. Among other things, they also support hands-free use of Amazon's Alexa voice assistant.
Unlimited Streaming on Prime V >
By now, you're probably aware of Amazon's version of Netflix, Prime Video. It makes amazing Amazon Original shows like The Tick, Bosch, Jack Ryan, The Boys, The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, Homecoming, The Man in the High Castle, Mozart in the Jungle, and two of the funniest UK-based sitcoms ever, Catastrophe And Fleabag. You can watch them all, plus a slew of movies, on just about any device—even Amazon's own Echo Shows or the round Echo Spot—or via the web, if you're a Prime member.
You can also get Prime Video alone for just $8.99 per month, but that doesn't come with the free two-day shipping and other perks.
Wi-Fi is not required to stream Amazon Prime Video on mobile: you can stream over a cellular connection. That's great for commuters on a train or bus. However, if you don't have an unlimited data plan, you're going to chew through your available gigabytes in no time. Depending on the video quality setting, videos could use as much as 5.8GB per hour, which hurts if you've got a data cap. Under Settings > Streaming & Downloading in your Amazon Prime Video app, opt to "Notify me when using mobile data" to avoid bill shock. Or set it to Stream on Wi-Fi only to avoid the issue all together.
Download V >
Another data-saving option is to download videos at home to watch later when you're offline, like on a plane. Look for the "Download" option in the video details of any title. You can also go into Settings > Streaming & Downloading and make sure downloads only happen over Wi-Fi, if desired. Before you download, in that same area of settings, go to Download Quality and pick Best, Better, or Good; they use up less storage and data as you descend in quality.
Get Free Music with Prime
Prime Music is a free streaming music service for Prime members. You can use the Amazon Music app for mobile or the desktop app to play music just about anywhere. The problem: Prime Music only has around 2 million songs, which only seems like a lot until you can't find some obscure title by Creedence Clearwater Revival at a moment's notice. You can always purchase individual songs, of course; Amazon won't mind.
For a more robust catalog, in the order of "tens of millions," Amazon Music Unlimited provides an intriguing alternative to the many, many competing products on the market like Spotify or Apple Music—especially for owners of Echo devices, which are all about audio. All the versions let you try it for free for 30 days. Music Unlimited starts at $0.99 per month for the first four months then shoots to $7.99 per month (or $79 per year). It costs $9.99 for non-Prime members (which doesn't save much) or $3.99 per month on one Echo device. There is also a family plan for $14.99 per month of up to six family members. Once you've signed up, change subscription details or apply any promo codes at Amazon Music Settings.
Split the Prime Across the Household
If you've got a couple of Amazon shoppers under the same roof, share a Prime membership with one other adult (plus up to four kids who don't actually have Amazon accounts). It used to be four adults, but Amazon cracked down. Thankfully, Amazon also allowed sharing to include Amazon Video with all linked members.
To set it up, on Amazon. com go to Manage Your Content and Devices > Preferences tab > Households and Family Library > Manage Your Household. You'll need their email address as used on Amazon. This is also where you create settings for teens and children in the household who may want to do some shopping on your dime, or use age restricted services like Amazon FreeTime.
Prime Early Access Deals
Prime members can enjoy 30 minutes of extra early access to Amazon's popular Lightning Deals. The deals will say "Prime Early Access" right on them. Visit Today's Deals and click Prime Early Access Deals in the left navigation to get access to all of them.
Reading Perks
If you have an Amazon Kindle device or app on any other device, plus a Prime account, you have access to Amazon First Reads. You get a monthly option to pre-order four to nine new, big-name, "Editors' Pick" books, one of which you get free (two free during July for Prime Day). Sign up for the monthly email so you never miss the deal. (The other books are under $9.99, usually only $4.99 to pre-order, which is still pretty cheap.)
Prime members in the US can also enjoy unlimited access to a "rotating selection of books, magazines, comics, and more," about 1,000 in total, at no additional cost via Prime Reading. As of this writing it included titles like The Handmaid's Tale and Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone.
If you want to spend a little more, Prime Book Box delivers a box of curated books for kids every month, two months, or three months to your home for $22.99 per box, which works out to an average savings of 35 percent. Pick books for babies up to 2, kids 3 to 5, 6 to 8, or 9 to 12 years.
Got an actual Amazon Kindle - or Fire-branded device? (Not the apps on phones and tablets.) Then you get access to the Owner's Lending Library. That's 800,000 books you can just "borrow" to read, with no due-date for return. You can borrow one per month.
Prime Student
If you're matriculating, Amazon Prime Student is the best deal. You get Prime's features for free for six months and a nice discount thereafter. Prime is only $6.49 per month that you can cancel any time, or pay $59 for the year.
Same-Day (or Faster) Delivery
Prime members in over 5,000 cities and towns can get same-day or one-day delivery on over a million items with qualifying orders over $35. Order something by noon and get it by 9 p. m. that day or order by the afternoon and get it by 9 p. m. the next day.
Many of those cities also benefit from Prime Now, the ultra-fast free delivery service Amazon is implementing to get orders out within a couple of hours. It's mostly limited to household items. Amazon also offers free two-hour delivery of natural and organic products from Whole Foods Market through Prime Now in many cities between 8 a. m. to 10 p. m.
Amazon Prime Reload
If you're a Prime member and frequent Amazon shopper, consider Amazon Prime Reload. Add funds to a gift balance using a designated debit card and get 2 percent back—up to $196 per day—on every purchase made using those funds.
Amazon called this a "limited time offer" when it launched. Also, take note: the amount you reload to your Amazon Balance is nonrefundable or redeemable for cash.
Order Prime Items on Alexa
Caught the Amazon Alexa bug? Amazon Echo devices with the Alexa voice assistant interface are popular and easy to use. In fact, you don't even need Prime to get most of the features of an Echo—you can listen to music on other services, even make Echo-to-Echo calls without Prime. Amazon, of course, prefers that you do buy things using your Echo, as well, and provides some deals occasionally to Echo owners that require a Prime account, especially around Prime Day.
You can order and re-order items you've already bought in the past, just tell your device what you want. Set up a PIN code in the Alexa app that only you know so random friends and family don't use your Alexa to buy or reorder stuff. You also have the option to use Alexa to cancel or track orders.
Try a New Wardrobe
Taking on services like Stitch Fix and Trunk Club, Prime Wardrobe is here to help you try things on. You order 3 to 8 items of eligible clothing, Amazon sends it, you try them on, and send back whatever doesn't fit or that you don't like. You don't pay until you decide to keep something. Returns of items you buy on Prime aren't always easy, but with Wardrobe, they include the return label so you're ready to send it back ASAP in the same box it arrived in. (Don't destroy the box when you open it.) If you return all the clothes, no big deal: you don't pay for anything you don't keep.
Donate Via Smile
This isn't Prime-specific, but with Amazon Smile, you can make sure that 0.5 percent of everything you spend on eligible products gets sent to the charity of your choice. Use smile. amazon. com whenever you go to the site on a desktop to buy stuff. I give mine to the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund. If you use the Chrome browser, get the AmazonSmile 1Button for Chrome extension on the desktop—it forces you to go to the correct URL every time. To date, using Smile has generated nearly $134+ million for various charities.
Try Free Games on Twitch Prime
If you've got Amazon Prime, guess what? You've also got Twitch Prime (as long as you link your Amazon and Twitch accounts). And vice versa—Twitch Prime subscribers get access to some Amazon Prime features, like Prime Video. While Twitch itself is mainly for watching other people play video games (and allowing you to broadcast your own game play), Twitch Prime kills off any ads Twitch inserts and allows channel subscriptions. Best of all, Twitch Prime includes free games. Click the Loot icon that looks like a crown to get a list of available perks; scroll until you see Free Games with Prime. Want to know what's most worthwhile? Every month, read our Free Twitch Prime Games You'll Want to Try feature.
Cancelling Prime
Someday you may want to pull the plug on Prime (or change your subscription from annual to monthly or back). When that time comes, read all the steps at How to Cancel Amazon Prime. This is also how you discontinue service if you're just trying the free trial.
9 free Amazon Prime Video perks you probably didn't know about — all of which are free if you have a Prime membership
Amazon's lightning-fast Prime shipping is great, but I'd wager I use Prime Video about three times as often throughout the course of a year. Find me at home in my pajamas, barreling through the latest season of "The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel" or rewatching "Fleabag."
And, aside from the very obvious perks of free, streamable TV shows and movies on Prime Video, there are a few other features worth knowing about — from parental controls to à la carte network subscriptions to built-in cinematic trivia and fun facts. Below, you can find a few of the lesser-known perks that go along with Prime Video.
If you don't already have an Amazon Prime membership, and access to Prime Video by extension, you can sign up for a free 30-day trial here.
Download movies and TV shows for offline viewing
Never spend another underground subway ride or transatlantic flight stuck in streaming purgatory, wondering what happened in the next episode of "Fleabag."
You can download Prime Video titles for offline viewing as long as you have the Prime Video app for iOS or Android or a Fire tablet.
For eligible movies, select the download arrow (same as the one shown above). To download a full TV season, hit the middle downward arrow button at the very top of the page. To download specific individual episodes, hit the identical down arrow next to the specific episode you want to download.
How long you have to watch your download before it expires depends on the content, and some of it may be locked geographically — meaning you may not be able to watch some content overseas, even with a VPN service. Though, you could theoretically keep your device on airplane mode to circumvent that.
Use Amazon Household to share your membership
To share your Amazon Prime benefits with another adult — including Prime Video access — create an Amazon Household and opt to add another adult with an email invitation or sign in together.
Audio description (AD)
If you are finding it difficult to watch your favourite television programmes or films, you can enable audio description (AD).
Audio description (AD) is additional commentary that explains what’s happening on screen. AD describes body language, expressions and movements, making the programme clear through sound.
We spoke to blind and partially sighted people about why AD is so important to them – Watch our film now:
Audio description on TV
To get audio described TV programmes, you’ll need digital television. You get digital TV via Freeview, Sky, Virgin Media, Freesat and YouView. This is either built into your television or it’s a set top box connected to your television.
Find out more about AD for Freeview, Sky and Virgin Media:
Further information for Freesat and YouView:
- All Freesat devices deliver audio description which can be enabled using the AD button on the remote control. Some people may need assistance to find this button. Visit the YouView website to find out more, this includes other linked services including BT TV, TalkTalk TV and Plusnet
Visit our television section for further information about audio description, accessible TV devices, TV listings and TV licence concessions.
Read about the latest developments and products in television, radio and film for blind and partially sighted people:
Audio description in cinemas
Many cinemas are equipped with a system that delivers AD through a headset, which is provided when you collect your ticket. The AD generally runs each time the film is shown and is undetectable to anyone not wearing a headset.
For more information visit the FAQs page on the Accessible Screenings UK website.
Audio description in theatres
Many theatres across the UK provide audio description. This is generally available at one or two performances for each production, and is delivered via infrared, radio or WiFi to a receiver that audience members usually book in advance when purchasing tickets.
Introductory notes describing the visual world of the show and its characters are often made available to audience members in advance of the audio described performance, which is usually immediately preceded by an onstage touch tour, where audiences can familiarise themselves with the set, handle costumes and props, and meet some of the actors.
To find out if there are audio-described shows at your local theatre, check their website or contact them directly.
Several organisations provide listings of audio-described performances:
- Access London Theatre: audio described shows at theatres in London. Audio Description Association: venues and companies that run audio description services, listed by region. Audio Description Association Scotland: upcoming audio-described performances delivered in theatres across Scotland. Hynt: upcoming audio-described shows in Wales: audio-described performances in theatres and arts centres participating in Hynt, the national access scheme in Wales VocalEyes: all upcoming audio-described theatre shows: VocalEyes delivers around 180 audio-described performances around the UK every year. Its website lists these and many other audio described shows in theatres across the UK, though mostly in England.
Audio description in museums and galleries
Museums offer AD in a variety of ways to support access to their exhibitions, events and sites.
Recorded AD guides to special exhibitions or permanent galleries can help you to enjoy independent visits to the museum, at any time. They usually include descriptions of highlight exhibits, with directions in between to help you navigate through the gallery. The recordings are often available online, for downloading or streaming through your own device. Alternatively, the museum may provide handsets on site.
Live audio descriptive tours will usually take place on a specific advertised date. They offer the opportunity to experience the highlights of an exhibition or gallery as part of a group, and may include the option to touch or handle artefacts. Some museums will offer live audio-described tours on request – these often require pre-booking, so check with the individual museum.
The VocalEyes website lists events and provision at many museums, but do also contact individual museums for full details of what they offer.
Audio description apps
Apps offer an efficient solution for people who are using connected devices for multiple tasks. Aside from audio description, these apps can open up a whole new dimension for viewers who prefer to watch films or TV programmes in an alternative language.
You can find out more information on our audio description apps page.
V >A number of web based video on demand services deliver AD on films and TV programmes.
There are two types of VOD services:
Broadcaster-led: These are services from television broadcasters such as the BBC, ITV, Channel 4 and Channel 5 which allow their programmes to be watched for some time after the original broadcast (often for 30 days). These are commonly known as ‘catch-up services’.
Independent services: These are services such as Netflix, iTunes and Amazon Prime. The services allow users to access their content libraries at any time on a vast range of devices. These are also known as ‘streaming services’.
How do I access these services?
In order to use these services, you’ll need a device that can connect to the internet. VOD service providers make their content available online in a number of different ways, the most popular is via a website or an app. You can normally view the content in the following ways:
By streaming: You must be connected to the internet for the duration of the time that you’re viewing the program, streaming requires no download to your device. By downloading to your device: You’re able to take the content away and watch it anywhere.
Most of the main providers in the UK now offer AD, the key providers are listed here:
BBC’s iPlayer delivers AD on the iPlayer website and apps. ITV Hub has some audio described content available through its Android app. All4 (formally 4OD) has audio described content on its web player, accessed via the website. My5 delivers AD on its website and apps. Sky has AD on a small number of its programmes. These can be watched via the Sky Go service. Netflix delivers AD on a substantial number of films and TV dramas on most platforms including its website and apps. Amazon Video has an AD section in the video library. iTunes has a collection of audio described films and TV programmes. Virgin Media. AMI Player, a Canadian service that’s also available to UK viewers, has general interest programmes with integrated AD.
Other resources
We’re RNIB, we're here to make sure society is inclusive of blind and partially sighted people. We're passionate about AD and ensuring it's available to blind and partially sighted people. Here are our proudest campaigning moments:
- 1990s: Blind and partially sighted people could rent audio described films, including classics like Casablanca, from RNIB’s video cassette library.
- 1992: European Project, Audetel, underway. The project developed a system designed to make television accessible to people with sight loss through audio description. RNIB joins the project team of eight partners to make this happen.
- 1996: Broadcasting Act mandated audio description via terrestrial digital transmission. RNIB works with stakeholders across the board to ensure end user needs are taken into account.
- 2001: Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone releases in UK cinemas with audio description. RNIB worked with UK Film Distributors and UK Cinema Exhibitors to ensure there were many more releases.
- 2003: Communications Act extends the 1996 legislative requirements to include digital cable and digital satellite providers. Many more people are introduced to audio description for the first time and RNIB starts receiving calls from end users who would like to discuss their TV experience.
- 2010: 20th Century Fox released its first Bollywood film with audio description in two languages, Hindi and English, following RNIB's Bollywood Audio Description Project. UK Cinemas offered the option to viewers - use the AD in English or Hindi. The AD track was put on the film's DVD for all regions and was circulated across the globe. Until the launch of descriptions in multiple languages on Netflix in 2015, the film - My name is Khan, was the only film to offer AD in English and the original language of the film - Hindi.
- RNIB and Goodmans launched the world's first talking Freeview box. This opened the door for further innovation - TVOnics, Panasonic, Samsung.
- 2012: Broadcast of Channel 4's opening ceremony with audio description of the Paralympics attracted more than 250,000 viewers from across the country. RNIB was part of a working group to make this happen.
- 2017: More than 150,000 hours of TV was broadcast with audio description in the UK including dramas, documentaries, films, sitcoms, reality TV etc. P&G announces it will audio describe all its adverts.
- 135 out of 202 English language films released in the UK were available in cinemas with audio description. Nine out of the top 10 films each week had audio description.
- 2018: RNIB receives support from Ofcom and broadcasters for an industry campaign to increase public awareness of audio description. Broadcasters including the BBC, BT, Channel 4, ITV, Sky, UKTV and Viacom will be showing adverts to promote their audio description services throughout the summer and early autumn.
If you'd like any further information please call our Helpline on 0303 123 999.
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