Clear Language on TV

What "Clear Language" Means on Television

"Clear Speech" is not a TV setting, but an additional audio option provided by the broadcaster itself. It is designed to address a well-known problem: making dialogue that gets lost amid music, sound effects, and ambient noise clearer and more distinct. The goal is to improve speech intelligibility. During the Sunday episode of *Tatort* on Das Erste, where gunshots and dramatic music often drown out the actors’ lines, the difference is quickly noticeable. The “Clear Speech” option is often confused with other audio modes on the TV. However, “Clear Speech” is different from a standard audio mode, which merely adjusts the device’s existing audio settings.

An additional audio track alongside the original

In addition to the standard audio mix, the station broadcasts a second, dialogue-focused version. In this version, voices are more prominent, while music and background noise are slightly quieter. Both tracks play simultaneously. You can switch between them just as you would with a second language track. If you don’t switch anything, you’ll continue to hear the usual original audio. Accordingly, you’ll need to adjust the settings on your TV to use this option.

How the AI Behind It Works

Behind "Klare Sprache" lies a technology developed by the Fraunhofer Institute for Integrated Circuits IIS called MPEG-H Dialog+. A neural network breaks down the final audio mix and separates the speech from the rest—music, effects, and background noise. The background noise is attenuated only when speech is actually occurring. The process then recombines everything into a new audio track in which the voices are more clearly in the foreground. What makes this special is that this processing is still possible even when only the final mix is available and the separate original tracks no longer exist.

Not to be confused with plain language

"Clear Language" and "Easy Language" sound similar but mean different things. Easy Language simplifies content linguistically, using short sentences and simple words. Clear speech does not change a single word, but only the sound mix, so that what is said is easier to understand acoustically. It is therefore about sound, not content. For broadcasters, clear speech is one of the accessibility features, alongside captions and audio description, each of which serves a different purpose.

Which channels and sources offer "Klare Sprache"?

Unfortunately, the options for setting "plain language" on TV stations are limited. On German television, this feature is primarily offered by public broadcasters, as well as by ARTE via arte.tv.

Public Broadcasting Channels and ARTE

On ARD, the language-optimized version is available on *Das Erste* and on many regional channels, such as WDR, NDR, MDR, rbb, BR, SWR, SR, and hr, as well as on *tagesschau24*, *One*, *KiKA*, and *ARD alpha*. On ZDF, viewers can select it on the main channel as well as on *ZDFneo*, *ZDFinfo*, *3sat*, and *KiKA*. On ARTE, language-optimized versions are available via arte.tv. In the German program, they are called “Klare Sprache,” and in the French program, “Confort Audio.” The audio track is provided via the digital TV signal and the respective live streams.

Live Programming and Media Library

In the live broadcast, the audio track is particularly easy to find if it is available for the channel and the program. There, it is generated in real time and broadcast along with the video. In media libraries and streams, availability depends more on the specific content and the respective player. In some cases, it can be selected directly in the player’s language settings. However, it is not yet available for some on-demand content. The service is being expanded gradually.

Through which reception channels the audio track is transmitted

"Klare Sprache" can be received via satellite, cable, and, in some cases, via DVB-T2 HD, as well as through the live streams in the media libraries. Availability via cable may vary depending on the cable provider. Whether it is actually available also depends on the specific program. If a language-optimized version has not been produced for a program, the option will not appear in the menu at all.

How to Enable Plain Language

Activation is not done using a dedicated button, but rather through the audio track selection menu, similar to switching to a different language version. The exact procedure varies from device to device and, in our experience, is not always entirely intuitive.

Through the TV's audio menu

On a TV or set-top box, you’ll find this option under the audio or sound settings, often labeled “Audio Language,” “Sound Channel,” or “Language Options.” “Clear Speech” will appear there as an additional option, provided the current program offers it. On some devices, the option is accessible via a button on the remote control; on others, it’s buried several menu levels deep. It often takes a bit of searching to find it.

About HbbTV and the Start Bar

On some HbbTV-enabled devices, pressing the red button may open a start bar or an interactive menu. Depending on the channel and device, you can select the language-optimized version directly from there. This requires an HbbTV-enabled device and an active Internet connection.

About the live streams in the media libraries

If you want to quickly see whether "Clear Language" offers any personal benefits, the easiest way to do so is through the live streams on the ARD and ZDF media libraries. In the live broadcast player, you can select the audio track in the language settings—without having to navigate through menus on your TV. This is a great way to give it a try before you start adjusting the settings on your own device.

Where Plain Language Reaches Its Limits

Clear language is a good thing and, in many cases, a real help. Nevertheless, it only partially and to a limited extent solves the problem of incomprehensible dialogue, because it is subject to several conditions.

Only on public broadcasters, not on private channels or via streaming

The biggest limitation is availability. Clear audio is only available on public broadcasters. This makes it easier to understand the crime drama on Das Erste, but not the movie on a commercial network or the series on a streaming service. The audio track doesn’t help with content from a game console or an external player either, because such a version simply isn’t included.

Dependent on the transmission and reception paths

Whether "Clear Language" is available depends not only on the broadcaster, but also on the specific program and the method of reception. If a language-optimized version has not been produced for a program, the option will not appear. For ARD and ZDF, this feature applies only to the German audio track. Once a foreign-language audio track has been selected for a program, the language-optimized version is not available.

The sound stays on the TV

Even when Clear Sound is available, it only improves the signal—not the path to the listener’s ears. The sound still comes from the TV’s flat speakers and has to travel across the entire room to reach the viewer’s seat. At greater distances, in rooms with echoes, or when the TV is mounted on the wall, some of the clarity gained is lost along the way.

OSKAR Where Clear Language Ends

Clear audio is a sensible first step, as long as the broadcaster provides it and it meets individual requirements and needs. For anything beyond that, a solution is needed that doesn’t depend on which program is currently airing. This is exactly where the OSKAR TV audio amplifier OSKAR .

What OSKAR Does OSKAR TV Audio

OSKAR the TV audio and processes it before it reaches your ears. Voices and dialogue are emphasized, while distracting background noise is reduced. In addition, OSKAR wirelessly transmits OSKAR audio closer to your seat. As a result, more direct sound reaches your ears, and you often no longer need to turn the TV up as loud to hear speech clearly.

Why OSKAR Works OSKAR of the Sender and Source

The key difference from the “Clear Speech” audio track lies in its scope and quality. The audio track is only available for certain programs—and only if it was produced specifically for that program. OSKAR , on the other hand, OSKAR with the audio feed coming directly from the TV and is therefore not tied to a specific broadcaster’s audio track. Depending on the source and audio mix, OSKAR can make OSKAR clearer and bring the sound closer to your seat—even in cases where the “Clear Speech” audio track isn’t available at all. It’s never been easier to clearly understand dialogue on TV.