Note: On November 3, 2008, the Commission adopted rules revising the procedures for filing closed captioning complaints. The Commission also adopted rules requiring that video programming distributors make specific contact information available to consumers to assist the consumers in contacting the distributors about closed captioning concerns. These rule changes are not yet effective. Please continue to follow the instructions for filing complaints that are contained on these pages until further notice.

Rules and Factsheets

• Rules and Regulations.
  • Closed Captioning of Video Programming - 47 C.F.R. § 79.1.

• Closed Captioning Factsheet.
  

• Tips On Filing Closed Captioning Complaints.

• FCC Consumer Advisory: Closed Captioning for Digital Television (DTV).
  

• FCC Consumer Advisory: Closed Captioning and Digital-to-Analog Converter Boxes for Viewing Free Over-the-Air Programming on Analog Televisions.
  

• Exemptions From Closed Captioning Rules.
  • General Information about Exemptions to Closed Captioning Rules.
  • Self-Implementing Exemptions to Closed Captioning Rules.
  • Requests for Exemption from Commission's Closed Captioning Rules Where Closed Captioning Would Pose an Undue Burden.

12-19-08
Consumer & Governmental Affairs Bureau Action Requests for Exemption from Commission's Closed Captioning Rules (14 Petitions for Waiver). (DA No. 08-2736) (Docket No 06-181)
Public Notice: Word || PDF


11-7-08
Commission Addresses Closed Captioning Matters, Including Those Related to Digital Television, and Seeks Further Comment. Clarified the Commission's closed captioning requirements with regard to digital programming, simplified the complaint process, and sought comment on a closed captioning exemption for multicasting. (Docket No's 99-254, 05-231) (FCC No. 08-255)
Declaratory Ruling, Order, NPRM: Word | PDF
Copps Statement: Word | PDF
Adelstein Statement: Word | PDF
Tate Statement: Word | PDF
McDowell Statement: Word | PDF
Erratum (Released 12/3/08): Word | PDF
Comments due by February 12, 2009; Reply comments due by February 27, 2009.


9-15-08
Consumer & Governmental Affairs Bureau Action Requests for Exemption from Commission's Closed Captioning Rules (11 Petitions for Waiver). (DA No. 08-2097) (Docket No 06-181)
Public Notice: Word || PDF


8-13-08
Consumer & Governmental Affairs Bureau Action Requests for Exemption from Commission's Closed Captioning Rules (3 Petitions for Waiver). (DA No. 08-1901) (Docket No 06-181)
Public Notice: Word || PDF


7-23-08
Consumer & Governmental Affairs Bureau Action Requests for Exemption from Commission's Closed Captioning Rules (28 Petitions for Waiver). (DA No. 08-1715) (Docket No 06-181)
Public Notice: Word || PDF


4-3-08
Consumer & Governmental Affairs Bureau Action Requests for Exemption from Commission's Closed Captioning Rules (12 Petitions for Waiver). (DA No. 08-793) (Docket No 06-181)
Public Notice: Word || PDF


2-12-08
Consumer & Governmental Affairs Bureau Action Requests for Exemption from Commission's Closed Captioning Rules (5 Petitions for Waiver). (DA No. 08-350) (Docket No 06-181)
Public Notice: Word || PDF


1-11-08
Consumer & Governmental Affairs Bureau Action Requests for Exemption from Commission's Closed Captioning Rules (16 Petitions for Waiver). (DA No. 08-71) (Docket No 06-181)
Public Notice: Word || PDF


12-5-07
Consumer & Governmental Affairs Bureau Action Requests for Exemption from Commission's Closed Captioning Rules (9 Petitions for Waiver). (DA No. 07-4884) (Docket No 06-181)
Public Notice: Word || PDF


10-26-07
Consumer & Governmental Affairs Bureau Action Requests for Exemption from Commission's Closed Captioning Rules (10 Petitions for Waiver). (DA No. 07-4393) (Docket No 06-181)
Public Notice: Word || PDF


10-3-07
Consumer & Governmental Affairs Bureau Action Requests for Exemption from Commission's Closed Captioning Rules (7 Petitions for Waiver). (DA No. 07-4150) (Docket No 06-181)
Public Notice: Word || PDF


9-18-07
Consumer & Governmental Affairs Bureau Action Requests for Exemption from Commission's Closed Captioning Rules. (DA No. 07-3950). (Docket No 06-181).
Public Notice: Word || PDF

8-28-07
Reminder to Video Programming Distributors and the Public of the January 1, 2008, Requirements for the Closed Captioning of English "Pre-Rule" Nonexempt Video Programming. (DA 07-3759)
Public Notice: Word || PDF


7-23-07
Consumer and Governmental Affairs Bureau Action Request For Exemption From Commission's Closed Captioning Rules (14 Petitions for Waiver). (DA 07-3359) (Docket No. 06-181)
Public Notice: Word || PDF


6-5-07
Consumer and Governmental Affairs Bureau Action Request For Exemption From Commission's Closed Captioning Rules (36 Petitions for Waiver). (DA 07-2344) (Docket No. 06-181)
Public Notice: Word || PDF
Erratum correcting Petitioner for Case Identifier CGB-CC-0696 released June 7, 2007: Word || PDF

2-23-07
Consumer and Governmental Affairs Bureau Action Request For Exemption From Commission's Closed Captioning Rules (18 Petitions for Waiver). (DA 07-812) (Docket No. 06-181)
Public Notice: Word || PDF

1-26-07
Consumer and Governmental Affairs Bureau Action Request For Exemption From Commission's Closed Captioning Rules. (DA 07-276) (Docket No. 06-181)
Public Notice: Word || PDF

12-29-06
Obligation of Video Programming Distributors to Make Emergency Information Accessible to Persons With Hearing Disabilities Using Closed Captioning.(DA 06-2627)
Public Notice: Word || PDF

11-21-06
Extension of Comment Period on Petitions for Exemption From Commission’s Closed Captioning Rules. (DA 06-2287) (Docket No. 06-181)
Public Notice: Word || PDF

11-07-06
Consumer and Governmental Affairs Bureau Action Request For Exemption From Commission's Closed Captioning Rules. (DA 06-2287) (Docket No. 06-181)
Public Notice: Word || PDF

09-12-06
Anglers For Christ Ministries, Inc.; New Beginning Ministries. Granted two separate petitions for exemption from the closed captioning requirements for video programming contained in section 79.1 of the Commission's rules. (DA 06-1802)
Memorandum Opinion and Order: Word || PDF

08-07-06
Clarification of Obligation of Video Programming Distributors to make Emergency Information Accessible to Persons with Hearing Disabilities Using Closed Captioning. (DA 06-1600)
Public Notice: Word || PDF

07-20-06
Public Notice reminding video programming distributors - including broadcasters, cable operators, and satellite television services - of their obligation to make emergency information accessible to persons with hearing and vision disabilities. (DA 06-1483)
Public Notice: Word || PDF

11-17-05
Closed Captioning of Video Programming, Telecommunications for the Deaf, Inc. Petition for Rulemaking.
Order extending Reply Comment deadline in NPRM proceeding to December 16, 2005: Word || PDF


09-27-05
Dates set for Comments on Closed Captioning Notice of Proposed Rulemaking.
News Release: Word || PDF


07-20-05
FCC Launches Review of Closed Captioning Rules.
Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (CG Docket No. 05-231, FCC 05-142): Word || PDF
News Release dated 07-14-05: Word || PDF
Separate Statements by Chairman and Commissioners:
Chairman Martin: Word || PDF
Commissioner Abernathy: Word || PDF
Commissioner Copps: Word || PDF
Commissioner Adelstein: Word || PDF


07-23-04
Telecommunications for the Deaf, Inc. (TDI), filed a Petition for Rulemaking regarding captioning quality standards (Report No. 2670) - Docket RM-11065.


01-06-04
Notice to Video Programming Distributors and the Public of the January 1, 2004, Requirements for the Closed Captioning of New Nonexempt English and Spanish Language Video Programming and Reminder Regarding Other Captioning Requirements. (DA 04-2)
Public Notice: Word || PDF

• Implementation of Section 304 of the Telecommunications Act of 1996/Commercial Availability of Navigation Devices and Compatibility Between Cable Systems and Consumer Electronics Equipment.

  News Release released January 10, 2003: FCC Seeks Comment on Cable-Consumer Electronics Agreement on "Plug and Play". FCC took another step forward in the transition to digital TV, seeking comment on proposed rules for "Plug and Play" cable compatibility, which is a key piece of the digital TV puzzle. (Dkt No 97-80, 00-67). (FCC No. 03-3).
  [ Plug and Play News Release in Word | Plug and Play News Release in PDF ]
  [ Plug and Play FNPRM in PDF | Plug and Play FNPRM in Word ]
  [ Memorandum of Understanding Among Cable MSOs and Consumer Electronics Manufacturers ]

• The Consumer & Governmental Affairs Bureau Reminds Manufacturers and the Public of July 1, 2002, Deadline for Providing Digital Television Receivers Capable of Providing Closed Captioning in a Public Notice Released July 31, 2002. (DA No. 02-1860),(Dkt No 95-176, 99-254)
  [ Closed Captioning Reminder Public Notice in Word | Closed Captioning Reminder Public Notice in PDF | Closed Captioning Reminder Public Notice in Text ]

• Home Shopping Network's (HSN)Petition for Partial Reconsideration or Clarification of the Commission's 6/15/00 Decision is Denied in a Memorandum Opinion and Order Adopted by the Commission on April 26, 2001 and Released April 27, 2001.
  HSN Memorandum Opinion & Order in Text format || HSN Memorandum Opinion & Order in Microsoft Word format

• FCC Issues a Clarification Order In the Matter of CBS Corporation Requesting Clarification of the Order of Reconsideration re: "Counting Electronic Newsroom Captioned Programming Toward Compliance of the Captioning Requirements."
  Clarification Order in Microsoft Word Format Adopted 02/27/01 and Released 03/02/01.

• Public Interest Obligations of Television Broadcast Licensees NPRM adopted 9/14/2000 and released 10/5/2000.
  Paragraphs #20 and #32 specifically seek comment on disability-related issues.
  28 Page Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) in PDF Format.
  28 Page Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) in Microsoft Word Format.
  28 Page Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) in Text Format.

• Closed Captioning Requirements for Digital Television Receivers; Closed Captioning and Video Description of Video Programming, Implementation of Section 305 of the Telecommunications Act of 1996, Video Programming Accessibility Report and Order adopted July 21, 2000 and Released July 31, 2000.
  R&O in Microsoft Word Format || R&O in Text Format.

• FCC Adopts Technical Standards for Display of Closed Captioning on Digital Television Receivers.
  News Release on DTV Closed Captioning released July 21, 2000.

• Home Shopping Club (HSC) Petition for Waiver of Closed Captioning Requirements Denied in a Memorandum Opinion & Order Adopted June 15, 2000 and Released June 19, 2000.
  HSC MO&O in Microsoft Word Format || HSC MO&O in Text Format

• Correct Usage of "ENR" and "Electronic Newsroom" for purposes of the Closed Captioning Rules, dated March 27, 2000.
  Public Notice in Microsoft Word Format

• FCC Rules on Technical Standards for Captioning revised October 1, 1997
  [ ASCII Text Format | WordPerfect Format ]

• Order on Reconsideration on Closed Captioning and Video Description of Video Programming Released October 1, 1998.
  [Order on Reconsideration in Text Format | Order on Reconsideration in WordPerfect Format | Order on Reconsideration in Acrobat Format | News Release |

• Report & Order on Closed Captioning and Video Description of Video Programming Adopted August 7, 1997 and Released August 22, 1997.
  Report & Order in Text Format

• News Release: NPRM on Closed Captioning Standards for Digital Television. NPRM in Word Perfect Format Adopted July 14, 1999, Released July 15, 1999.

• CBS Corporation Request for Clarification of Commission's Closed Captioning Rules. released May 3, 1999. (DA 99-822)
  

• The Commission Proposes Rules for Closed Captioning; NPRM Released January 17, 1997
  ||Text Version of NPRM | Wordperfect Version of NPRM | News Release ||
  

• Closed Captioning & Video Description, Video Programming Accessibility Report Released July 29, 1996.
  || Text Version | Wordperfect Version||

• Closed Captioning and Video Description Notice of Inquiry Released December 4, 1995.
  ||Text Version | Wordperfect Version ||

• Title 47 CFR, Part 15, Section 15.119, Closed Caption Decoder Requirements for Television Receivers". |Wordperfect Version |