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Audio Description (AD) on Saorview RTÉ1

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  • 12-10-2014 8:11pm
    #1
    The Cush
    Registered Users Posts: 15,515 ✭✭✭✭


    Did anyone notice last week there was an announcement made before episodes of Eastenders on RTÉ1 that Audio Description (AD) was available for that programme? Didn't actually check it myself.

    The RTÉ tender for the provision of Audio Description (AD) infrastructure to support the broadcast of AD content was published Sept 2013 - https://irl.eu-supply.com/app/rfq/publicpurchase_frameset.asp?PID=69858&B=&PS=1&PP=ctm/Supplier/PublicTenders

    This from their 5yr plan
    Audio Description

    To further progress access services provided, RTÉ will introduce audio description in 2013. ‘audio description’ is designed to provide acoustic description of visual events for the blind and visually impaired thereby providing access to the world of audio-visual media. Audio description enables the enjoyment and understanding of drama and fictional type programming on television.

    Compared with the provision of subtitles, the production of audio description is considerably more expensive, complex and inflexible. However, as a public-service broadcaster RTÉ regards audio description as an essential service which will provide visually impaired viewers access to its dramatic and fictional content. RTÉ has been working on the commencement of this service since the design stages of digital television and will launch audio-described
    programming, including for some home-produced programmes, in 2013.

    In advance of this RTÉ intends to do the following:
    • An audio-description pilot test on four episodes of Fair City using RTÉ scripting and voice-over talent, December 2012
    • A tender process will commence to find a technical solution for the installation of the infrastructure, 1st quarter 2013
    • Training with an international expert on the scripting, delivery and timing of audio-description preparation will take place early 2013 with the Centre for Inclusive Technology on SAORVIEW with blind and visually impaired viewers to receive their views on voice, scripting, nuance and delivery of audio description on home-produced programming
    • In the first phase audio description will commence on Fair City, Eastenders, and other Irish drama series: RAW, Love/Hate, Single Handed
    • Future plans are to add more home-produced drama and fictional programmes with audio description as well as acquiring this service from the
    US, Australia and UK suppliers


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    #2
    byte
    Moderators, Regional North West Moderators Posts: 19,102 Mod ✭✭✭✭byte
    byte


    Funny you mention AD, as the announcer mentioned it being available for Love/Hate, just before the programme started.

    First time I had ever heard AD being mentioned on RTÉ


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    #3
    The Cush
    Registered Users Posts: 15,515 ✭✭✭✭The Cush


    byte wrote: »
    Funny you mention AD, as the announcer mentioned it being available for Love/Hate, just before the programme started.

    Heard that also, I recorded and watched Love/Hate, will check tomorrow to see if it recorded the AD audio.

    Same for last week's episode according to this tweet, missed the announcers intro last week, fast forwarded past the ads and announcer

    https://twitter.com/rte/status/518863941318221824


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    #4
    copacetic
    Subscribers Posts: 16,575 ✭✭✭✭copacetic


    It's been on eastenders since the end of July

    https://twitter.com/rtepress/status/494874643778781184


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    #5
    The Cush
    Registered Users Posts: 15,515 ✭✭✭✭The Cush


    19 Dec 2012, Fair City

    https://twitter.com/RTEOne/status/281413960316616706

    RTÉ to begin audio description for ‘EastEnders’ - Irish Times Thu, May 29, 2014


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    #6
    The Cush
    Registered Users Posts: 15,515 ✭✭✭✭The Cush


    copacetic wrote: »
    It's been on eastenders since the end of July

    https://twitter.com/rtepress/status/494874643778781184

    Thursday July 24th according to this email
    FYI: RTÉ TELEVISION ROLLS OUT AUDIO DESCRIPTION SERVICE FOR VISUALLY IMPAIRED VIEWERS

    RTÉ One
    RTÉ ROLLS OUT AUDIO DESCRIPTION SERVICE FOR VISUALLY IMPAIRED VIEWERS

    RTÉ today announced the provision of audio description (AD) on television for
    viewers who are blind or visually impaired.

    Audio description is a commentary that gives a visually impaired viewer a
    verbal description of what is happening on the television at any given moment,
    as an aid to the understanding and enjoyment of the programme. There is a
    second soundtrack, which can be activated by the viewer, that consists of a
    narrator giving a description of the scene and the on-screen action when there
    is an audio break in the dialogue during the programme.

    As of last Thursday July 24th, RTÉ now offer audio description on the all
    episodes of Eastenders on RTÉ One and RTÉ One +1.     The next episode of
    Eastenders with audio description will air on Thursday July 31st, at 7:30pm on
    RTÉ One.

    Advances in technology and the switch over to digital television in October
    2012, have enabled broadcasters provide audio description to the Irish viewing
    audience, who are visually impaired. Prior to the analogue switch off it was
    not possible to provide this service in a “closed” format.

    Under the BAI Access Rules 2012 RTÉ is obliged to deliver 1.5% of programming
    with audio description in 2014. This figure will increase to 1.75% in 2015. RTÉ
    is the only Irish broadcaster providing this service. There are plans to expand
    the service to include other dramas over the next 12 months.

    Systems Engineering Manager/ Senior Project Manager Charles Stewart said, “We
    are delighted to announce that the implementation of audio description (AD) on
    RTÉ One and RTÉ Two is now complete    . This project has been in development for 9
    months and has involved significant investment, new equipment and alot of
    teamwork between a range of different departments in RTÉ. We trust the AD
    service will help make television viewing more engaging and accessible for
    people who are partially sighted or blind.”

    RTÉ are the market leaders in the provision of subtitles in Ireland and rank
    amongst the highest providers of this service in Europe. RTÉ provides three
    hours of ISL (Irish Sign Language) interpreted programmes per week on RTÉ One.
    All of these programmes are available on the RTÉ Player. RTÉ also provides a
    daily signed News for the Deaf and a weekly weather forecast. From July 2014,
    RTÉ will provide 4 hours of audio described programming per week on RTÉ One.

    Date: Wednesday July 30th 2014

    --Ends--

    For further information please contact:

    Rayna Connery, RTÉ Television Press and Publicity Officer Tel: 01 208 3169/ 087
    9862902 email: [email]rayna.connery@xxxxxx<mailto:rayna.conner[/email]y@xxxxxx>


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    #7
    Carawaystick
    Registered Users Posts: 8,779 ✭✭✭Carawaystick


    rte pr wrote:
    Advances in technology and the switch over to digital television in October
    2012, have enabled broadcasters provide audio description to the Irish viewing
    audience, who are visually impaired. Prior to the analogue switch off it was
    not possible to provide this service in a “closed” format.
    There was no reason rté could not have had AD once DTT started?
    it had nothing to do with Analogue switch off. BBC had AD on satellite, while they were broadcasting in analog on terrestrial.


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