HC Deb 15 March 2000 vol 346 c253W
Mr. Levitt

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what the new targets are for subtitling on(a) BBC and (b) other digital television services. [114246]

Janet Anderson

The provision of subtitling on BBC services is a matter for the BBC Governors and their policy is at least to match the targets set for any other broadcaster. The BBC has recently increased its targets for its new digital channels to 50 per cent. of subtitling within five years and 100 per cent. within 10 years. For other digital television services, the Broadcasting Act 1996 requires digital terrestrial broadcasters to provide subtitles on at least 50 per cent. of their services within 10 years of the start of the service. We will be beginning a review of this target in early summer.

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