Note: This page provides information about closed captioning requirements for video programming delivered via Internet Protocol. If you are looking for information about closed captioning of television programs, visit Closed Captioning of Video Programming on Television. If you are looking for information about making local emergency information accessible to persons who are deaf or hard of hearing and to persons who are blind or have visual disabilities, visit Accessibility of Emergency Information on Television.

Rules, Guides, and Reports

Filing a Complaint with the FCC

You can file your complaint about closed captioning of Internet video programming with the FCC through the FCC's Consumer Complaint Center. Please note that you must include specific information in your complaint for it to be handled by the FCC. Please review the guide to Closed Captioning of Internet Video Programming for an explanation of the complaint process and other ways to file a complaint.

Orders, Public Notices, Notices, and Press Releases

11-19-21 FCC Announces Forum on Accessibility of Online Video Programming (DA 21-1452)
Public Notice: Word || PDF

9-30-21 FCC Consent Decree with Pluto and ViacomCBS to Resolve Violations of Internet Protocol (IP) Closed Captioning Rules 
Press Release: Word || PDF
Consent Decree: PDF
Dismissal of Pluto Inc. Waiver Petition: Word || PDF

5-18-21 FCC Extends Comment Periods for CVAA Accessibility Updates. DA 21-589.
Public Notice:  Word || PDF

4-7-21 FCC Seeks Comment on Fulfillment of the CVAA. DA 21-405.
Public Notice:  Word || PDF

7-23-19 FCC Announces Extended Comment Period for Pluto TV’s Petition for Waiver of IP Captioning Rules. DA 19-690.
Order: Word || PDF

6-28-19 FCC Seeks Comments on Pluto TV’s Petition for Waiver of IP Closed Captioning Requirements. DA 19-600.
Public Notice: Word || PDF

10-16-15 FCC To Hold A Roundtable Event To Discuss Closed Captioning of Public, Educational, and Governmental Access Programming. DA 15-1186.
Public Notice: Word || PDF

10-14-14 Notice of Electronic Filing Procedures for Closed Captioning Exemption Requests for Video Programming Delivered Using Internet Protocol (IP). CG Docket No. 13-318. DA 14-1487.
Public Notice: Word || PDF

8-6-14 Notice of Effective Date of Rules Governing Closed Captioning of IP-Delivered Video Clips. MB Docket No. 11-154. DA 14-1141.
Public Notice: Word || PDF

7-14-14 FCC Moves to Ensure Online Video Clips are Accessible to Americans Who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing. Action by: the Commission. Adopted: 7/11/2014 by Second Order on Reconsideration and Second Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking. MB Docket No. 11-154. FCC No. 14-97.
News Release: Word || PDF
Second Order on Reconsideration and Second Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking: Word || PDF
Chairman Wheeler Statement: Word || PDF
Commissioner Clyburn Statement: Word || PDF
Commissioner Rosenworcel Statement: Word || PDF
Commissioner Pai Statement: Word || PDF
Commissioner O'Rielly Statement: Word || PDF

12-23-13 Media Bureau Reminds Manufacturers of January 1, 2014 Deadline for Compliance with Closed Captioning Requirements Adopted in 2012 IP Closed Captioning Order. MB Docket 11-154. DA 13-2466.
Public Notice: Word || PDF

12-13-13 Media Bureau Seeks Comment on Application of the IP Closed Captioning Rules to Video Clips. MB Docket 11-154. DA 13-2392.
Public Notice: Word || PDF

8-20-13 Comment deadline extended for Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (FNPRM) seeking comment on closed captioning issues. MB Docket No. 11-154. DA 13-1785.
Order: Word || PDF

7-2-13 Notice of Effective Date of IP Closed Captioning Order on Reconsideration and Announcement of Comment and Reply Comment Deadlines for Related Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking. MB Docket No. 11-54. DA 13-1512.
Public Notice: Word || PDF

6-14-13 Closed Captioning of Internet Protocol-Delivered Video Programming: Implementation of the Twenty-First Century Communications and Video Accessibility Act of 2010 (CVAA). Order addressing petitions for reconsideration of closed captioning requirements for equipment and for IP-delivered video programming. Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (FNPRM) seeking comment on related closed captioning issues. MB Docket No. 11-154. FCC 13-84.
Order on Reconsideration and FNPRM: Word || PDF
Commissioner Ajit Pai Statement: Word || PDF

10-3-12 Internet Closed Captioning Rules Went Into Effect September 30, 2012. Rules requiring distributors of certain Internet video programming to provide closed captioning to assist viewers who are deaf or hard-of-hearing went into effect on September 30, 2012.
News Release: Word || PDF

8-17-12 In the Matter of Closed Captioning of Internet Protocol-Delivered Video Programming: Implementation of the Twenty-First Century Communications and Video Accessibility Act of 2010; Petitions for Temporary Partial Exemption or Limited Waiver filed by the Digital Media Association (DiMA). MB Docket No. 11-154. DA 12-1354.
Memorandum Opinion and Order: Word || PDF

7-20-12 Interpretation of Economically Burdensome Standard; Amendment of Section 79.1(f) of the Commission's Rules; Video Programming Accessibility. The FCC determined that the four factors contained in section 713(e) of the Communications Act will continue to apply when evaluating individual requests for captioning exemptions under section 713(d)(3) and the corresponding rules.
CG Docket No. 11-175. FCC 12-83.
Report and Order: Word || PDF

5-31-12 Pleading Cycle Established for Oppositions and Replies to Oppositions to Petitions For Reconsideration of the IP Closed Captioning Order. MB Docket No. 11-154. Report No. 2951. DA 12-862.
Public Notice: Word || PDF

5-17-12 Petitions for Reconsideration of Action in Rulemaking Proceeding. In the Matter of Closed Captioning of Internet Protocol-Delivered Video Programming: Implementation of the Twenty-First Century Communications and Video Accessibility Act of 2010.
MB Docket No. 11-154. Report No. 2951.
Public Notice: Word || PDF

5-16-12 Media Bureau Action; Comment Dates Established for two Petitions for Temporary Partial Exemption or Limited Waiver of Certain Provisions of 47 C.F.R. § 79.4(c)(2)(i). MB Docket No. 11-154. DA 12-775.
Public Notice: Word || PDF

4-11-12 Small Entity Compliance Guide: Closed Captioning of Internet Protocol-Delivered Video Programming: Implementation of the Twenty-First Century Communications and Video Accessibility Act of 2010. MB Docket No. 11-154. DA 12-560.
Guide: Word || PDF

3-30-12 Notice of Effective Date of New IP Closed Captioning Rules. MB Docket No. 11-154. DA 12-505.
Public Notice: Word || PDF

1-13-12 Closed Captioning of Internet Protocol-Delivered Video Programming: Implementation of the Twenty-First Century Communications and Video Accessibility Act of 2010. Adopted rules governing the closed captioning requirements for the owners, providers, and distributors of video programming delivered using IP, and governing the closed captioning capabilities of certain apparatus on which consumers view video programming. MB Docket No. 11-154. FCC 12-9.
Report & Order: Word || PDF
McDowell Statement: Word || PDF
Clyburn Statement: Word || PDF
Erratum: Word || PDF

9-28-11 Media Bureau Announces Comment and Reply Comment Deadlines for the NPRM Regarding Closed Captioning of Internet Protocol-Delivered Video Programming. MB Docket No. 1154. DA 11-1639.
Public Notice: Word || PDF

9-19-11 FCC seeks comment in the Matter of Closed Captioning of Internet Protocol-Delivered Video Programming: Implementation of the Twenty-First Century Communications and Video Accessibility Act of 2010. Proposal to revise regulations for Closed Captioning of Internet Protocol-Delivered Video Programming. MB Docket No. 11-154. FCC 11-138.
NPRM: Word || PDF

7-22-11 Two Reports of Advisory Committees on Disabilities Issues Released. Reports Are on Closed Captioning of Video Programming Delivered Using Internet Protocol and Emergency Calling for Persons With Disabilities: Survey Review And Analysis.
News Release: Word || PDF

7-13-11 First Report of the Video Programming Accessibility Advisory Committee on the Twenty-First Century Communications and Video Accessibility Act of 2010. Closed Captioning of Video Programming Delivered Using Internet Protocol.
Report: PDF

Updated:
Thursday, November 17, 2022