Netflix is making changes to how subtitles appear on its platform, giving viewers more control over their watching experience. According to a study by UK deaf access charity Stagetext, 54% of people use subtitles when watching TV or online content. The research also found that subtitles are especially popular among people under 25 years old. More than half of them said they use subtitles “to help me concentrate.”
Previously, Netflix subtitles included not just spoken dialogue but also audio descriptions like [phone buzzing], [door slams], or [dramatic music swells]. They also showed speaker names, which could sometimes feel distracting for those who only wanted to follow the conversation.
Now, Netflix is offering two different English subtitle options. One is “English,” which only shows the spoken words. The second is “English (CC),” which includes both dialogue and additional audio cues. The change will start with new titles launching on Netflix, beginning with Season 5 of the popular psychological thriller series You. The company also plans to expand this new subtitle format to other languages soon.
Netflix shared more details about the update in a recent blog post. “When you open the language picker while watching the new season, you’ll now see two subtitle options in English: English, which shows only the spoken dialogue, and English (CC), which includes both dialogue and audio cues like [door slams]. And we’re not stopping at English these subtitles will be available on all new Netflix originals in every language we offer in addition to SDH/CC going forward,” Netflix said.
The update is designed to meet the growing needs of viewers who prefer subtitles for various reasons. Whether someone is in a noisy room, trying not to disturb someone else, or simply wants to focus better, the new options offer more flexibility.
Additionally, customisation is another feature Netflix already offers. Viewers can change the size, font, and style of subtitles to match their personal preferences, making the experience even more user-friendly. Netflix noted that nearly half of all viewing hours in the U.S. are watched with subtitles or captions turned on. With that in mind, the new subtitle choices are part of the company’s effort to make content more accessible and enjoyable.
Before this update, viewers who wanted subtitles in the original language had to turn on “Subtitles for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (SDH/CC),” which included everything from dialogue to sound effects and speaker names. Now, viewers who only want to read spoken words without extra descriptions have a simple option.
The goal is to make watching Netflix content even smoother, whether you’re binge-watching a series late at night or trying to hear dialogue over background noise.
Netflix’s move also follows broader trends across the industry, where more audiences especially younger ones prefer having subtitles on even when they don’t necessarily need them for accessibility reasons. This is just the latest update from Netflix, as the company continues to refine how users engage with its growing library of content around the world.