Audio Description on Sky

How to set up and use audio description on Sky Satellite.

Sighted instructions

Link to unsighted instructions

Activating Audio Description

Look for the 'AD' at the top-right of programme details on screen, or [AD] at the end of programme details. Follow these instructions to turn Audio Description on temporarily:

Quick and temporary

If the current channel does not offer audio description, instead of an ON or OFF option, it says UNAVAILABLE. When you change channel, this change will be lost. To turn Audio Description on permanently, do this:

Permanent setting

Note that the TV guide highlighting and the beeping do not work for BBC channels.

Selecting BBC1, BBC2, ITV1 and Channel 4

If you live outside the BBC1 London region, use channel 974 for BBC1.
If you live outside the BBC2 England region, use channel 989 for BBC2.
If you live outside the ITV1 London region, use channel 993 for ITV1.
If you live outside the Channel 4 London region, use channel 994 for Channel 4.

More detailed instructions for unsighted users

Activating Audio Description

There are two ways to turn Audio Description on and off.

First is the quick way

This has a temporary effect, and is forgotten when you change channel.

The long way

Follow these instructions carefully using your remote control to set up a box to receive audio description:

Selecting BBC1, BBC2, ITV1 and Channel 4

If you live outside the BBC1 London region, use channel 974 for BBC1.
If you live outside the BBC2 England region, use channel 989 for BBC2.
If you live outside the ITV1 London region, use channel 993 for ITV1.
If you live outside the Channel 4 London region, use channel 994 for Channel 4.

Summary of requirements to receive audio description on Sky

Firstly, AUDIO DESCRIPTION must be turned on, either in the LANGUAGE & SUBTITLES SETUP or by using the help button.
For BBC1, use channel 101 if you are in the London region or do not have a viewing card, otherwise use channel 974.
For BBC2, use channel 102 if you are in England or do not have a viewing card, otherwise use channel 989.
For ITV1, use channel 103 if you live in the ITV1 London region, otherwise use channel 993.
For Channel 4, use channel 104 if you live in the Channel 4 London region (try this first), otherwise use channel 994.
For other channels, use the normal channel numbers.

Listings

We offer a rough and ready Sky Audio Description listings.

Further information and assistance

For further information, contact Sky's disabilities page or ring their disability line on 08705 66 33 33.

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Last updated 27 March 2006.
For further information, contact RNIB's Broadcasting team.