Many of us like to multitask while watching TV. Taylor Heine, 35, from Tennessee, often juggles her phone, pets, and chores while enjoying a show. To keep up, she uses subtitles. “I turn them on so I don’t miss any dialogue,” she explains. It also allows her fiancé to cook without blaring the TV.
Subtitles aren’t for everyone, though. Some people feel they can be distracting. Interestingly, a recent survey by the Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research found that about 40% of adults under 45 use subtitles often, while only 30% of those over 45 do. It seems younger viewers prefer subtitles because they often watch in noisy settings, while older adults may use them to better catch dialogue or accents.
David Barber, a sound editor, notes that watching habits have shifted. He says, “Younger viewers often listen and watch at the same time. They might be half-listening, half-watching.” This multitasking is shaping how subtitles are used.
Many people, regardless of age, appreciate closed captions to ensure they don’t miss a thing. The survey found that 55% of people choose subtitles to catch every word. Others find them helpful when accents are hard to understand.
For example, 21-year-old Ariaunna Davis often turns on subtitles when the audio is unclear. “If I can’t hear or catch the accents, I rely on captions,” she explains. Adrian Alaniz, 31, finds subtitles helpful for clarity, especially with dubbed shows where the audio might not match the translation.
Noise and poor audio quality drive many to seek out subtitles. The poll shows that about 30% of adults use subtitles in noisy environments, while one in four say they do so because of poor sound quality. Barber points out that many TV speakers face the wall, making it hard to hear dialogue clearly. Plus, today’s shows often have more background noise, complicating things further.
For instance, viewers often struggle with shows like “Game of Thrones,” where dialogue is quiet and sounds can vary dramatically within scenes. It’s not uncommon for viewers to adjust volume frequently, looking for a balance.
Subtitles also bridge a generational gap. Younger viewers often enable them while multitasking, while older audiences typically rely on them for clarity. The survey found that 30% of adults aged 60 and older cite hearing difficulties as a reason for using captions, while only 7% of younger adults do.
Patricia Gill, 67, prefers the old-school method of rewinding if she misses something. “I just like the regular stuff,” she says about her watching habits compared to her grandson, who frequently uses subtitles on his phone.
Watching habits are changing, and it appears subtitles are here to stay. They offer a solution for a variety of viewers, enriching the experience by enhancing clarity—even as our environments grow noisier.
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David Barber, Public opinion, Movies, Associated Press, AP Top News, Tennessee, Taylor Heine, Johnson City, Entertainment, Patricia Gill, Adrian Alaniz
