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Watching NOW with subtitles (closed captions)
Subtitles (also called closed captions on NOW) are available with selected on-demand shows and movies on the Cinema Membership and Entertainment/Entertainment & HBO Max Memberships.
You can watch with subtitles on many live channels across the Cinema, Entertainment/Entertainment & HBO Max and Sports Memberships too.
Good to know: Subtitles are provided either by Sky or a third party (this could be another broadcaster, channel or app), depending on the channel you’re watching. If a show or movie doesn’t have subtitles, it means they haven't been created by the broadcaster responsible for creating and uploading them.
What shows and movies have subtitles?
Keep in mind: Subtitles are not available on ads and trailers.
| Subtitles available on selected on-demand shows or movies? | Subtitles available on selected shows or movies on live channels? | |
| Cinema Membership | ✔ | ✔ |
| Entertainment/ Entertainment & HBO Max Membership | ✔ | ✔ (All channels except Sky History) |
| Sports Membership | ✔ | ✔ (All channels except Sky Sports Racing) |
You can also view subtitles on apps on NOW devices, including BBC iPlayer, ITV Hub, Channel 4, Demand 5, Netflix and YouTube.
We know subtitles are an important part of the TV experience for many of our members, and we’re planning to increase the number of shows and movies on NOW with subtitles. We’ll let you know on this page when more details are available
How do I turn on subtitles?
Subtitles can be turned on or off by selecting the speech bubble symbol next to the player controls.
| Device | How to turn on subtitles |
|---|---|
| Now Smart Stick, NOW Box | Press the star (*) button on your NOW remote. |
| Apple TV Amazon Fire TV, Fire TV Edition Amazon Fire TV Stick, Fire TV Cube Samsung TV LG TV Sony TV Roku TV PS4, PS5 Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S | Select the speech bubble symbol using either your TV remote or console. |
| PC and Mac | Click the speech bubble symbol in the bottom left hand corner of the screen. |
| iOS/Android | Tap the speech bubble symbol in the top right hand corner of the screen. |
Can I turn on subtitles for all available movies and shows?
Some devices have a setting to turn on subtitles automatically whenever they’re available.
On a NOW Smart Stick or NOW Box:
- Go to your homescreen and select Settings from the main menu.
- Select Subtitles, and then select On.
- You’ll see a tick to indicate subtitles are now turned on for all available movies and shows.
You can also turn on subtitles for all available shows on the devices below. Just look for the Subtitles setting on the main menu:
- PS4, PS5
- Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S
- LG TV
- Samsung TV.
Can I change the appearance of subtitles?
Yes, you can change the font, size, colour and background of your subtitles in My Account. Just head to the Settings area and scroll down to the Subtitle appearance section.
Keep in mind: Changes you make here will only be applied to the following devices: LG, Samsung, Vizio, Xbox One, PlayStation and watching online. All other closed captions can be managed on each device's settings.
FAQs
Which devices are subtitles available on?
Subtitles for on-demand shows and movies, and live channels, are available on all supported devices.
Keep in mind: On some devices, you might need to update to the latest software version in order to watch with subtitles.
Can I get subtitles on the apps on my NOW Smart Stick or Box?
Turning on subtitles for all available shows and movies (see above) will also enable closed captions on many of the catch-up apps on your NOW device, including:
- BBC iPlayer
- ITV Hub
- Channel 4
- Demand 5
- Netflix
- YouTube
Keep in mind: Although subtitles are available on many of the catch-up apps on the NOW Smart Stick and Box, these aren’t supplied by NOW and we can’t guarantee they will be available for all shows.
How do I manage subtitles on my iPhone or iPad?
You can find more information about subtitles and captions on your iPhone or iPad on the Apple support site. Just follow the steps in the articles below:
Why can't I get subtitles on my iOS or Android device?
If you can't see the option to turn on subtitles on your iOS or android device, you might need to update to the latest version of the NOW app first.
Can I watch any shows with BSL (British Sign Language)?
Yes. If you're an Entertainment Member, you can enjoy over 100 shows specifically for members of the Deaf community, featuring unique content including children's shows, comedy and drama.
You'll find BSL content in the TV Shows section, either online or in the NOW app on your device.
What other services are available for members with hearing loss?
You can also use BSL to contact the emergency services via 999 BSL, a dedicated app and website.
Get in touch with our Accessibility team
Want to talk to us about subtitles and closed captions, or any other accessibility requirements?
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