Can I watch NOW with subtitles or closed captions?
We know subtitles and closed captions are an important part of the TV experience for many of our members, and we're always looking at what we can do to increase their availability on our shows and movies.
Subtitles or closed captions are provided either by Sky or a third party (this could be another broadcaster, channel or app), depending on the channel you’re watching.
If a show or movie doesn’t have subtitles or closed captions, it means they haven't been created by the broadcaster responsible for creating and uploading them.
Does NOW provide subtitles or closed captions?
What's the difference? Subtitles only show dialogue, while closed captions also provide descriptions of non-speech elements, such as sound effects.
All our shows and movies have closed captions rather than subtitles, where available.
What shows and movies have closed captions?
Closed captions are available with selected on-demand shows and movies on the Cinema Membership and Entertainment Membership.
You can watch with closed captions on many live channels across the Cinema, Entertainment and Sports Membership options too.
| Closed captions available on selected on-demand shows or movies? | Closed captions available on selected shows or movies on live channels? | |
| Cinema Membership | ✔ | ✔ |
| Entertainment Membership | ✔ | ✔ (All channels except Sky History and Sky Max) |
| Sports Membership | ✘ | ✔ (All channels except Sky Sports Racing) |
| Hayu Membership | ✘ | N/A |
You can also view closed captions or subtitles on apps on NOW devices, including BBC iPlayer, ITV Hub, Channel 4, Demand 5, Netflix and YouTube.
We’re planning to increase the number of shows and movies on NOW with closed captions. We’ll let you know on this page when more details are available.
How do I turn on closed captions?
Movies and shows with closed captions available will have an S symbol in the programme details.
Closed captions can be turned on or off by selecting the speech bubble symbol next to the player controls.
| Device | How to turn on closed captions |
|---|---|
| Now Smart Stick, NOW Box | Press the star (*) button on your NOW remote. |
| Apple TV | Select the speech bubble symbol using either your TV remote or console. |
| Amazon Fire TV, Fire TV Edition | |
| Amazon Fire TV Stick, Fire TV Cube | |
| Samsung TV | |
| LG TV | |
| Sony TV | |
| Roku TV | |
| PS4, PS5 | |
| Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S | |
| PC and Mac | Click or tap the speech bubble symbol in the top right hand corner of the screen. |
| iOS/Android |
Can I turn on closed captions for all available movies and shows?
Some devices have a setting to turn on closed captions automatically whenever they’re available.
On a NOW Smart Stick or NOW Box:
- Go to your homescreen and select Settings from the main menu.
- Select Subtitles, and then select On.
- You’ll see a tick to indicate subtitles are now turned on for all available movies and shows.
You can also turn on closed captions for all available shows on the devices below. Just look for the Subtitles setting on the main menu.
- PS4, PS5
- Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S
- LG TV
- Samsung TV
FAQs
Closed captions for on-demand shows and movies, and live channels, are available on all supported devices.
Keep in mindOn some devices, you might need to update to the latest software version in order to watch with closed captions.
Turning on closed captions for all available shows and movies (see above) will also enable closed captions on many of the catch-up apps on your NOW device, including:
- BBC iPlayer
- ITV Hub
- Channel 4
- Demand 5
- Netflix
- YouTube
Keep in mindAlthough closed captions or subtitles are available on many of the catch-up apps on the NOW Smart Stick and Box, these aren’t supplied by NOW and we can’t guarantee they will be available for all shows.
We're aware of an issue where closed captions are appearing on some iOS devices automatically. To turn subtitles off for all movies and shows on your iPhone or iPad, just follow these steps:
- Go to Settings, then General.
- Select Accessibility, and then Subtitles and Captioning.
- Switch off the Closed Captions + SDH setting.
If you can't see the option to turn on closed captions or subtitles on your iOS or android device, you might need to update to the latest version of the NOW app first.
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BSL Zone offers over 100 shows specifically for members of the Deaf community, featuring unique content including children's shows, comedy and drama. |
To access BSL Zone, you'll need an Entertainment Membership. You'll find BSL Zone in the Entertainment section, either online or in the NOW app on your device.
You can also use BSL to contact the emergency services via 999 BSL, a dedicated app and website.
Get in touch with our Accessibility team
Want to talk to us about subtitles and closed captions, or any other accessibility requirements?