In an era dominated by digital information, the significance of accessible local news cannot be overstated. Its power lies in equally disseminating information to all, fostering community involvement, and expanding viewership. Local news serves as the heartbeat of communities, connecting residents to issues that directly impact their lives and creating a ripple effect that extends far beyond the confines of headlines alone.

At a recent event, NCI welcomed a Deaf speaker who expressed his dismay at captioning inconsistency when traveling between cities – some local broadcasts were captioned, others were not, and there was uncertainty in the rest. Individuals relying on accessible information shouldn't have to face such unpredictability. Consistency in providing captioning is essential as it directly influences viewers' choices. If a news station consistently offers captioning, it becomes a clear preference for viewers who rely on accessible content.

Community Engagement

Captioning for local news isn’t just about accessibility; it’s a practical way to boost community engagement. By adding captions, local news becomes understandable to a wider audience – from the Deaf community to those with auditory processing conditions to parents with sleeping babies, etc. This inclusive approach ensures everyone can follow and contribute to local discussions and life-saving information. Captioning and other media accessibility services serve as a straightforward tool to keep the community well-informed and foster active participation from all its diverse members.

Increasing Viewership through Live Translation

Beyond the intrinsic value of promoting accessibility, which aligns seamlessly with NCI’s non-profit mission, leveraging live translation services offers a myriad of advantages that can significantly contribute to business growth. Translation provides an instantaneous and effortless expansion of your target audience, breaking down language barriers. Additionally, incorporating translation improves Search Engine Optimization (SEO) without the need for creating new content, thereby enhancing your online visibility. The impact goes further, boosting conversion rates as users are more inclined to engage and convert when information is presented in their native language. For TV broadcasters and Live OTT companies, translation services open avenues to multiply subscription viewership, broadening their reach and impact. Moreover, the incorporation of translation can be a strategic move to increase ad revenue by tapping into diverse markets. In essence, embracing translation services not only ensures accessibility for a broader audience but becomes a multifaceted tool for overall business expansion across linguistic landscapes.

How Can NCI Help Your Station?

CaptionSentry, our Automated Captioning solution that produces high-quality automated captions for any screen with minimal configuration, not only leads the industry with its secure, accurate, and synced architecture but also offers several features that are specifically beneficial to local news stations:

In addition, CaptionSentry’s multi-lingual fluency options help you reach those previously unattainable demographics: