FCC Proposes Updating Emergency Broadcast Audio Rules
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Table of Contents
The Federal Communications Commission has proposed a change to a rule that has been partially waived for more than ten years. The current “Audible Crawl Rule” requires television broadcasters and cable providers to read aloud any non-text emergency graphics, like weather radar maps, using a secondary audio channel during regular programming. Because broadcasters have struggled to comply, the FCC now wants to replace that requirement with a simpler standard. Under the proposal, broadcasters would meet the rule by reading aloud any on-screen text crawls that contain the same emergency information.
Why it matters: This is a technical update to an outdated accessibility requirement. If finalized, it would remove a compliance burden that broadcasters have been exempt from for years and clarify how emergency information must be delivered to viewers who rely on audio descriptions. The practical effect is mostly administrative, keeping the rule aligned with how television actually works today.
Who it affects
- Television broadcast stations and cable or satellite providers
This notice comes from the Federal Communications Commission as a proposed rule; you should review the full Federal Register document before relying on the details.
Agency: Federal Communications Commission
Source: Federal Register — read the official document