Melissa Donovan
As more Americans turn to subtitles while streaming, Netflix is rolling out a new feature designed to meet evolving viewer preferences. Recent surveys show that 50% of Americans regularly watch content with subtitles, a trend that is mirrored on Netflix, where nearly half of all viewing hours in the U.S. involve subtitles or captions, as said in a press release.
In response to this growing demand, Netflix has introduced a new subtitle option that displays only the spoken dialogue in the original language, omitting non-dialogue audio cues. Previously, viewers who wanted subtitles in the original language had to rely on Subtitles for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (SDH/Closed Captions), which include additional information such as speaker names, sound effects, and musical cues.
The new feature debuted on April 24 with the highly anticipated release of YOU Season 5. When selecting subtitles through the language picker, viewers will now find two English options: “English,” showing only spoken dialogue, and “English (CC),” which continues to include both dialogue and audio cues like [door slams] or [phone buzzing].
Netflix plans to extend this streamlined subtitle option to all new Netflix original titles across every language supported by the platform. This change aims to provide more tailored choices for viewers, whether they are watching in a noisy environment, sharing a space with sleeping family members, or simply seeking a clearer viewing experience.
Additionally, users retain the ability to customize subtitle appearance by adjusting font size and style to better suit their personal preferences.
By offering greater flexibility and clarity, Netflix continues to adapt its platform to the needs of its diverse audience — ensuring viewers can enjoy content in a way that best fits their environment and viewing habits.
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