GMA Network has officially started implementing closed captioning beginning October 2017, making it the first local TV station in the Philippines to do so.
Offering a more inclusive viewing experience, GMA’s closed captioning enables viewers to read a full transcription of the dialogue as well as other key elements of the program such as background music, effects, etc. at the bottom part of the screen.
This is especially beneficial to viewers who are deaf or who are hard of hearing.
The Network’s move is in compliance with Republic Act No. 10905, which requires “all franchise holders or operators of television programs to broadcast or present their programs with closed caption option…"
An initial test of this service was applied to the film Mission Impossible, which was aired on Kapuso Movie Festival last September 28.
Currently, GMA Network is fully implementing closed-captioning in all movie blocks shown on GMA-7 and select movies on GMA News TV and will be operational on certain television models.