Clear language on ARD, ZDF and Co - Understanding television better

Have you ever noticed that some TV content is very difficult to understand due to music or background noise?

In recent years, TV broadcasters such as ARD, ZDF and many others have therefore placed a focus on inclusion and accessibility. Since 2022, ARD's main program, Das Erste, and some regional programs have had the "clear speech" option. This is an additional audio track alongside the original sound of the program that has been technically adapted to improve the intelligibility of speech.

This "Clear speech" option is accessible in the HD versions of channels such as Das Erste HD, BR, hr, mdr, NDR, Radio Bremen, rbb, SR, SWR, WDR, tagesschau24, KiKA, One and ARD alpha.

Speech intelligibility when watching television

Speech intelligibility in television is a key element that significantly influences the quality of the viewer experience. While impressive graphics and high-quality visual content have their value, it is the clear and intelligible transmission of speech that conveys the emotional content and message of a program or film. But what exactly does speech intelligibility mean in the context of television?

Importance of speech intelligibility

Clarity of content:

In news programs, documentaries or discussion panels, it is important that viewers accurately understand the information conveyed.

Emotional connection:

In movies and series, the right pitch and clarity is crucial to convey the emotions of the characters.

Accessibility:

Clear and distinct speech enables people with hearing impairments or older viewers to follow the content more easily.

Challenges

Several factors can affect speech intelligibility. These include:

Background noise:

Especially in busy environments, such as live broadcasts, ambient noise can overpower speech.

Background music:

While music creates atmosphere in film and television, if it is too dominant, it can drown out the dialogue.

Technical problems:

Poor microphone technology or audio quality can lead to unclear voice transmission.

One solution to this problem is the "Clear Speech" option: an additional audio track that ensures optimized speech quality.

What "Clear Language" can do

Clear speech is more than just an audio track. It is a special audio track used in television programs to increase speech intelligibility. It does this by minimizing distracting noise and music and amplifying speech.

The optional "Clear speech" audio track reduces background and ambient noise and enables people with age-related or fundamental hearing loss in particular to enjoy a better listening experience when watching TV. However, people who find background noise or added music too dominant, for example, can also switch to the "Clear speech" audio track.

The technology behind "Clear Speech": How is the intelligible audio track generated?

The "normal television sound goes through a highly sophisticated process to produce "Clear Speech". First, all elements of the sound - from background noise to music to speech - are analyzed and separated from each other in real time. Then the speech volume is increased, making the words stand out clearly. Other noises are again cut back so that viewers are not distracted. The result is a pure, intelligible sound.

Instruction: How to activate "Clear speech"?

Don't worry, technology should work for you, not against you. With your remote control, you can easily navigate to the "Clear speech" option. In the audio menu of your TV, you will now usually find "Clear language" in addition to the familiar options such as "Original sound" or "Audio description". Depending on the TV model, the name of this option may vary slightly, for example "deu (qks)", "Deutsch+Icon ABC" (for LG) or as "deu (undefined)" (for Samsung).

For all HbbTV users, there is also a special shortcut. With a simple press of the red button on your remote control, you can navigate directly to "Clear Language" via the ARD start bar and activate it.

Availability and distribution: Where can you find "Clear Language"?

Many TV broadcasters have recognized how essential it is to present their content in a way that is easy to understand for all viewers. That's why some broadcasters have integrated "Clear Speech" as a fixed component in their broadcast standards. Clear speech" is mainly broadcast via satellite HD and partly DVB-T2 HD.

But you can use this improved sound not only via your TV, but also online. Some of the mentioned broadcasters also offer "Klare Sprache" in their web livestreams. And for all streaming fans, there are some programs in the ARD Mediathek that offer this special sound.

However, not every broadcaster or TV provider is yet using the "plain language" principle.

This can be frustrating for viewers who have difficulty understanding dialogue or news clearly. Fortunately, there are viable solutions to ensure that you can achieve excellent speech intelligibility on almost any channel and with any TV model.

Oskar TV sound amplifier: the alternative to "clear speech"

If the built-in "Clear speech" option is missing, the OSKAR TV sound amplifier from faller audio is an excellent solution. The portable and wireless TV loudspeaker is designed to improve speech intelligibility across all channels. It does not matter whether the selected channel supports the "clear speech" setting or not.

Thanks to its special dialog optimization, users can adjust both the volume and clarity of speech according to their individual preferences and needs, significantly enhancing the viewing experience.

Find out more about the OSKAR TV sound processor now

Frequently asked questions on the topic of clear language

"Clear speech" in television refers to a broadcast standard or audio setting that makes dialogue and spoken content easier for viewers to understand. This is achieved by reducing background noise, emphasizing speech frequencies, or making other technical adjustments. This is intended to improve speech intelligibility, especially for people who have difficulty understanding certain audio frequencies.

The setting for "Clear speech" varies depending on the TV and model. Generally, you can find this option in the TV's menu under the audio or sound settings. Here you can look for an option that has "Clear speech", "Speech enhancement" or similar names. Once enabled, the TV should automatically improve speech intelligibility. If you have difficulty finding or activating this feature, it is recommended that you refer to your device's manual or contact the manufacturer if necessary.