Readily Accessible Closed Captioning Requirements Take Effect On September 16, 2024

The Federal Communications Commission's (FCC or Commission) Closed Captioning Display Settings Report and Order (Order) takes effect on September 16, 2024. Subject to Office of Management and Budget (OMB) approval, covered entities will have approximately two years to comply with the new requirements.

Under the Order, manufacturers of covered apparatus and multichannel video programming distributors (MVPDs) must make closed captioning settings readily accessible to individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing. Moving forward, the FCC will evaluate several factors to determine whether covered entities' closed captioning settings are readily accessible.

Covered manufacturers and MVPDs have until at least August 17, 2026, to come into compliance. Following OMB review of the rule's requirements, the Media Bureau will publish another Public Notice to announce the compliance date.