Fact · Transcription
The FCC rule says captions must not block other important visual content, including character faces.
Checked against its source on October 17, 2026
In the source's own words
“Captioning shall be viewable and shall not block other important visual content on the screen, including, but not limited to, character faces”
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)(iv), Placement.
Open the original- What it measures
- Placement is the fourth standard. It is why burned-in captions are placed with care in the frame.
- What it does not show
- The rule names faces, featured text and credits as examples, not a complete list.