You can now choose to only see spoken dialogue when enabling subtitles in the original language on Netflix.
It is common practice that subtitles in the same language as the dialogue in a movie are made for the deaf and hard of hearing, often referred to as CC (closed captioning). These subtitles include descriptions of music, atmosphere and more.
For example, English subtitles for a movie in English, or same-language subtitles for dubbed content.
According to Netflix, over 50% of Americans watch movies and series with subtitles enabled, even though English or Spanish is their first language, simply because they struggle to hear the dialogue.
Subtitles without CC
In addition to the existing CC subtitles, Netflix will now let viewers choose standard subtitles that include only the spoken dialogue.
- "Just in time for all the twists, inner monologues, and intense eye contact in the final season of YOU — we’re introducing a new option: original language subtitles that show only the spoken dialogue. Until now, if you wanted subtitles in the original language, you’d turn on Subtitles for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (SDH/CC), which includes not only dialogue but also audio cues like or , as well as speaker names," explained Netflix.
Here is how it looks in the user interface:
Choose subtitles with or without CC (closed captioning). Photo: Netflix
Only for new content at launch
The new subtitle option will initially be available for all new Netflix originals, starting with season 5 of You.
The feature is not limited to English subtitles.
Also read: Netflix now lets you customize subtitles on the TV screen
Netflix says it is looking into expanding the subtitle feature to include older titles, whether produced in-house or not. However, it did not provide a timeline.
