Post-Production Captioning for Broadcast Television

FCC-Compliant Captions for Recorded Broadcast Content

Post-production captioning for broadcast television is not optional—and it is not an area where shortcuts are acceptable. Captions must meet FCC quality requirements for accuracy, timing, completeness, and placement. Errors in broadcast captions can result in viewer complaints, station liability, and potential fines.

AberCap’s post-production broadcast captioning workflow is designed specifically to meet these requirements, using a hybrid process that combines AI transcription with experienced human caption editors. This approach ensures both efficiency and the level of accuracy required for television broadcast.g.

Built for FCC Compliance

For broadcast content, captions must comply with FCC closed captioning rules. This includes:

• Accurate representation of spoken dialogue
• Proper speaker identification
• Correct timing and synchronization
• Complete coverage of spoken content
• Readable formatting that does not obscure critical visuals

While AI is used at the transcription stage to improve speed and consistency, human editors are always involved in the captioning process for broadcast content. This is not an optional upgrade—it is a required step to ensure captions meet FCC standards and broadcast expectations.

Certificates of Closed Captioning Compliance are available for all levels of broadcast captioning provided by Aberdeen. Certificates are to be made widely available to consumers, Video Programming Distributors, and other interested parties by the content creator according to Section 79.1(j)(1) of the FCC Closed Captioning Quality Report and Order.

Our Broadcast Captioning Workflow

AberCap uses a proven, broadcast-first workflow:

1. AI-Assisted Transcription
   Advanced speech recognition is used to generate an initial transcript efficiently and consistently.
2. Human Caption Editing
   Experienced caption editors review and correct the transcript for accuracy, context, speaker changes, timing, and formatting required for television broadcast.
3. Quality Control Review
   Captions are checked for FCC compliance and technical correctness before delivery.

This hybrid workflow delivers the reliability broadcasters expect while maintaining the speed needed for modern production schedules.

Why Human Editing Is Required for Broadcast

Unlike general web video or internal media, broadcast captioning carries regulatory responsibility. Inaccurate captions are not just a quality issue—they can trigger formal viewer complaints and FCC enforcement action.

Human editors ensure:

• Proper handling of accents, overlapping dialogue, and technical terminology
• Accurate representation of meaning, not just words
• Correct formatting for broadcast caption encoders and playout systems

This level of review cannot be fully automated for broadcast television.

The Turnkey Solution: Integrated with AberFast

For many broadcasters and producers, captioning is only one part of a larger delivery process.

AberCap integrates seamlessly with AberFast, Aberdeen’s broadcast file preparation and delivery service. AberFast helps simplify post-production workflows by:

• Preparing captioned files to broadcaster specifications
• Managing format, audio, and caption compliance checks
• Handling delivery to stations and networks
• Reducing manual steps and last-minute errors

By combining captioning and delivery into a single workflow, AberFast helps stations and producers move content from post-production to air with fewer delays and fewer points of failure.

Our Proven Process

We approach each project request with a patient and thorough evaluation of the Client and their needs. This helps ensure that we set up the workflows to get the program to its end destinations on time and looking the absolute best. It’s a process that we have established and implemented for 20 years with proven success.

Who This Service Is For

This service is designed for:

• Television stations and station groups
• Broadcast producers and syndicators
• Ministries and organizations delivering content to TV networks
• Production teams responsible for FCC-regulated media

If content is intended for television broadcast, this workflow is built to meet that standard.

Reliable Broadcast Captioning, End to End

AberCap’s post-production captioning for broadcast is built on experience, not experimentation. With more than two decades supporting broadcast media, our team understands both the technical requirements and the regulatory responsibility involved.

When paired with AberFast, captioning becomes part of a streamlined, broadcast-ready delivery process—not a last-minute risk.