Subtitles, audio tracks and accessibility on IPTV
How to turn on subtitles and switch audio tracks, what subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing and sign language interpreting mean, and what the rules require.
In short
- If the programme includes them, subtitles and audio tracks can be turned on or switched in the player settings.
- Subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing indicate important sound effects as well as dialogue.
- Hungarian media law requires certain broadcasters to make part of their programmes accessible, and the European Accessibility Act sets requirements for digital services too.
Subtitles
- Translation subtitles
- Text in your language for foreign-language programmes.
- Subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing
- Besides dialogue, they indicate who is speaking and important sounds (music, noise). On traditional Hungarian TV, these were long provided on teletext page 888.
- Live subtitles
- Produced in real time for live programmes, so they may lag slightly behind speech.
You can usually turn subtitles on in the menu that appears during playback, using the subtitle or settings icon, if the programme includes subtitles.
Audio tracks
- Multilingual audio – some channels and films are also available in the original language.
- Audio description – narration for blind and partially sighted viewers describing what happens on screen.
- Surround sound – a Dolby Digital audio track, if the programme and your sound system support it.
If there is no sound or it sounds odd, set the TV or player's audio output to automatic or stereo. See: troubleshooting.
Accessibility and regulation
The Hungarian Media Act requires public service and certain other media service providers to make a specified share of their programmes accessible with subtitles or sign language interpreting. Since June 2025, the European Accessibility Act (Directive (EU) 2019/882) has set further requirements for certain digital services, including services providing access to audiovisual media services.
Comfort and accessibility settings
- The size, colour and background of subtitles can often be customised in the system settings of TVs and phones.
- Screen readers (TalkBack on Android, VoiceOver on iOS) read menus aloud.
- High-contrast display and larger text help people with low vision.
Frequently asked questions
Why are there no subtitles for some programmes?
Subtitles are produced and sent by the broadcaster. If no subtitles were made for a programme, the provider cannot display them either.
How can I make subtitles bigger?
On most TVs and phones, subtitle size and style can be set in the system's accessibility options.
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