Subtitles are an inclusive staple in the film and television industry and are widely used across the globe. That said, the feature continues to struggle to find major headway within the American market. However, that isn’t to say subtitles aren’t used within the United States.
Typically, subtitles have been a tool for audiences who have certain mental and audio disabilities so that they can still enjoy their favorite programming. Unfortunately, that had the drawback of people dismissing the usefulness of subtitles to those who don’t have those medical conditions.
Luckily, the tide has been changing. Since the early 2010s, subtitles have risen in popularity in mainstream audiences thanks to media companies like Netflix, which offer a wide range of subtitle support in a multitude of languages.
That said, the dislike for subtitles has not gone away. Many often claim that subtitles can distract viewers from what goes on in a show or be hard to follow. Others claim that audiences should not need subtitles if they do speak the language the show is originally produced in.
While these opinions are valid for many, another troubling reason has recently arisen within audiences and is already changing how the industry operates. The literacy and attention span crisis affecting a higher percentage of Americans has altered how people interact with entertainment. Subtitles would no doubt make it hard for people in that demographic to enjoy their favorite shows. This has led to the rise of audiences flocking towards shows with English audio or shows dubbed in English.
While media consumption is at an all-time high, the rate of audiences completing a television show or movie is falling. Audiences aren’t engaging with television programs the same way they were a decade ago. The ease of access to entertainment through laptops, smartphones, and even tablets has led to people multitasking while watching television. The subtitle feature banks on audiences actively paying attention to the television screen; understandably, these compounding factors would cause many viewers to see subtitles as more of a hassle than they are worth.
