Fact · Transcription
The FCC captioning rule says captions must match the spoken words in their original language, in the order spoken.
Checked against its source on October 17, 2026
In the source's own words
“Captioning shall match the spoken words (or song lyrics when provided on the audio track) in their original language (English or Spanish), in the order spoken”
47 CFR 79.1: Closed captioning of televised video programming (captioning quality standards), US Federal Communications Commission, Code of Federal Regulations (text via Cornell Legal Information Institute), n.d., 79.1(j)(2)(i), Accuracy.
Open the original- What it measures
- Accuracy is the first of the four quality standards in the FCC rule for televised video programming.
- What it does not show
- Written for television programming in English or Spanish. It is a benchmark for good captions, not a statement that every video must meet it.