Video content has become essential to our daily lives. According to Cisco, it accounts for 82% of internet traffic. What’s surprising is that 80% of television viewers who use closed captions are not deaf or hard of hearing. The importance of subtitles for video content has increased significantly in recent times. In this blog, we will discuss the demand for video content with subtitles, how it has evolved over the years, and its importance in our lives.
History Overview of Video Content with Subtitles
Several key events have highlighted the importance of video content with subtitles over the years:
1958: President Dwight D. Eisenhower signed Public Law 85-905 in the United States, establishing the Captioned Films for the Deaf program on September 2, 1958.
1980s: VHS tapes with subtitle options became widely available, allowing people to enjoy movies and TV shows at home with subtitles.
2006: YouTube introduced caption support, marking the start of its journey as a pioneer in online accessibility.
2012: Netflix was sued by the US National Association of the Deaf for not providing closed captions in their streaming content, highlighting the need for accessibility in video content.
2016: Facebook launched auto-captioning for videos.
2020: The COVID-19 pandemic led to many events and meetings being held online, underscoring the importance of video content with subtitles to enable participation and engagement regardless of location or language. Additionally, video consumption surged as people turned to videos for entertainment, education, and remote work, making subtitles even more crucial for accessibility and comprehension.
Once seen as a luxury, subtitles have become a necessity for video content. With the rise in video consumption, adding subtitles is essential to reach a wider audience and convey your message effectively.
The Increasing Demand for Video Content with Subtitles
The demand for subtitling services has significantly increased due to the rise of audiovisual content in recent years. This growth can be attributed to several factors, including the emergence of streaming platforms like Netflix, Amazon Prime, and Disney+ that offer a vast collection of movies and TV shows from various parts of the world. These platforms are not limited by geographic boundaries, meaning they can cater to a global audience. Therefore, it needs to offer subtitles in different languages to ensure accessibility and reach a wider audience.
In addition to streaming platforms, social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube have contributed to the growth of audiovisual content. With the rise of video content on these platforms, subtitles have become increasingly crucial for viewers to engage with the content, particularly in noisy or crowded settings. Additionally, subtitles also aid viewers who struggle to understand the spoken language, which is crucial for education and training videos.
The increase in subtitling services is on the rise due to the growth of corporate video content, such as product videos, explainer videos, and e-learning modules. As more companies expand globally and operate in different linguistic markets, subtitles have become crucial in bridging the language barrier and making the content accessible to all employees and customers.
More and more people prefer watching video content with subtitles. A study by Verizon Media reveals that:
- 69% view video with sound off in public places, and 25% watch with sound off in private places
- 80% of consumers are more likely to watch an entire video when captions are available
- 50% of consumers say captions are important because they watch video with sound off
This report indicates that subtitles are essential not only for individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing but also for individuals who choose to watch video content without sound.
The Importance of Video Content with Subtitles in Our Lives
Supporting Individuals with Hearing Impairments: The World Health Organization reports that over 466 million people worldwide have disabling hearing loss. Adding subtitles ensures more people can access and understand video content, making it inclusive and accessible.
Engaging a Global Audience: With approximately 7,000 languages spoken worldwide, translated subtitles can expand your reach to a larger audience. Subtitles allow you to present content in your target audience’s language, facilitating market expansion.
Enhancing Search Engine Optimization (SEO): Adding subtitles to your videos can improve your website’s search engine ranking, as Google can index subtitles but not auto-generated closed captions. Subtitles make it easier for people to find and engage with your brand through videos.
Improving Clarity and Understanding: Subtitles clarify technical terms, full names, and brand names, making it easier to read and understand original dialogue, especially for those who struggle with accents. Overall, subtitles enhance the viewing experience.
In conclusion, the demand for subtitling services is growing due to their role in providing accessibility, enhancing engagement, improving comprehension, and boosting SEO. At innoword by Saltlux Innovation, we understand the importance of accurate and engaging subtitles. We offer expert subtitling services for all types of video content. Contact us today to learn more about our subtitling services!
