A 10,000-strong change.org petition, backed by the UK’s largest deaf charity and TV stars and writers, is calling on LOVEFiLM to provide subtitles for viewers with hearing loss.
Currently, deaf customers of LOVEFiLM are not aware if will receive the latest movies or hit shows with subtitles until they arrive, something that can be extremely frustrating especially during Christmas.
According to Ofcom, 67% of people with hearing loss say that TV is important to them, rising to 74% of people who are severely deaf. People with hearing loss watch TV for an average of 4.3 hours a day, compared with average viewing across the UK of 3.46 hours a day.
The change.org petition is urging the distributor to offer subtitles for their On-Demand and postal service, and information on subtitle availability on films and boxsets before payment.
Stephanie McDermid, who is deaf, said: I wish they would make it clear at the outset whether content is subtitled or not. They should, like Netflix consider the 10 million people in the UK with hearing loss. Despite numerous correspondence flagging this issue, LOVEFiLM refuses to engage and I am urging people to sign the petition, which will hopefully force a response.’
Monty Munford has more than 15 years' experience in mobile, digital media, web and journalism. He is the founder of Mob76, a company that helps tech companies raise money and exit. He speaks regularly at global media events with a focus on Africa, writes a weekly column for The Telegraph, is a regular contributor to The Economist, Wired, Mashable and speaks regularly on the BBC World Service.
