Gotham Lab provides professional audio description services in New York City for broadcast television, streaming platforms, film, online video, educational content, and corporate media. Our audio description production combines AI-assisted efficiency with specialized human expertise — delivering FCC-compliant, ADA-compliant, and CVAA-compliant audio description tracks faster and at lower cost than traditional human-only production, without compromising the precision, timing, and narrative quality that professional audio description requires.
Audio description — also known as video description or descriptive audio — is an additional narration track that describes key visual elements of a video for viewers who are blind or have low vision. Gotham Lab’s in-house audio description specialists write, record, time, and quality-review every AD track from our New York City studio, using state-of-the-art AI tools to streamline script generation and timing while applying human expertise at every critical stage of production — ensuring the final track is accurate, well-paced, culturally appropriate, and compliant with all applicable regulations.
Gotham Lab is the only New York City studio offering audio description as part of a complete accessibility and localization package — combining AD production with in-house closed captioning, subtitling, voice-over recording, and CCSL creation. Whether you need a standalone audio description track for a single broadcast program or a complete multilingual accessibility package for international streaming platform delivery, Gotham Lab handles every element of production from a single New York City office.
Audio Description vs Extended Audio Description
Standard audio description inserts narration during natural pauses in the existing dialogue and audio. Extended audio description — also called enhanced audio description — pauses the video itself to allow time for longer descriptions when the natural pauses in the audio are insufficient to convey all necessary visual information. Extended audio description is used for content with dense dialogue or continuous audio where standard AD cannot adequately describe the visual content without interrupting the narrative flow.
Our AI-Assisted, Human-Directed Production Model
Gotham Lab’s audio description production model combines the efficiency of AI-assisted script generation and timing analysis with the irreplaceable expertise of human audio description specialists. This hybrid approach reduces production time and cost compared to purely manual audio description — while maintaining the precision, narrative quality, and compliance accuracy that professional audio description requires.
How Our AI + Human Hybrid Model Works
Our audio description production follows a rigorous multi-stage workflow where AI tools and human expertise each contribute at the stages where they perform best:
AI-assisted script generation — our AI tools analyze the video content and generate an initial audio description script identifying key visual elements, scene changes, actions, and on-screen text. This dramatically reduces the time required for initial script drafting compared to entirely manual description writing.
Human specialist review and editing — our trained audio description specialists review every AI-generated script for accuracy, completeness, narrative quality, and cultural appropriateness. They refine descriptions, add nuance, correct errors, and ensure the script meets professional audio description standards and the specific stylistic requirements of your content type.
AI-assisted timing analysis — our tools analyze the dialogue track to identify natural pauses where audio description can be inserted without overlapping spoken audio. This timing analysis is reviewed and adjusted by our specialists to ensure descriptions fit naturally within the audio landscape of the content.
Human-directed recording — our audio description narrators record in our in-house NYC studio under the direction of our production team. Every recording session is monitored for clarity, pacing, tone, and synchronization with the video.
Why This Model Delivers Better Results
The AI + human hybrid model is superior to both purely manual and purely automated audio description production for the following reasons:
Faster turnaround than purely manual production — AI-assisted script generation and timing analysis significantly reduce production time, enabling us to meet tighter broadcast and distribution deadlines
Lower cost than purely manual production — reduced manual labor in the scripting and timing phases translates directly to more competitive pricing without sacrificing quality
Higher quality than purely automated production — AI alone cannot reliably assess narrative significance, cultural context, tonal appropriateness, or the stylistic conventions of professional audio description. Human expertise at every critical review stage ensures quality that automated pipelines cannot match
Compliance guaranteed — human specialists verify FCC, ADA, CVAA, and platform-specific compliance at every stage. Automated systems cannot reliably ensure regulatory compliance without human oversight
Our Audio Description Services
Gotham Lab provides audio description for every content type, platform, and compliance requirement. Every service is produced in-house by our New York City team using our AI-assisted, human-directed production model.
| Service | What we deliver | Learn more |
|---|---|---|
| Broadcast audio description | FCC and CVAA compliant audio description for broadcast television — delivered on the Secondary Audio Program (SAP) channel. AI-assisted production with human specialist review, timing, and quality control. | Get a quote |
| Streaming platform AD | Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Disney+, Apple TV+, and Hulu compliant audio description tracks. Platform-specific file formats, timecode precision, and quality standards — reviewed against each platform's requirements before delivery. | Get a quote |
| Film & documentary AD | Audio description for feature films, documentaries, and short films for theatrical release, festival submission, and streaming distribution. Produced as part of our complete movie localization and accessibility package. | View service |
| Educational content AD | ADA and Section 508 compliant audio description for university lecture recordings, online courses, eLearning modules, and educational video libraries. Delivered in all LMS-compatible formats. | Get a quote |
| Corporate & government AD | ADA Title I, Title III, and Section 508 compliant audio description for employee training videos, onboarding content, government communications, and corporate media. Human-reviewed AI-assisted production for high-volume content. | Get a quote |
| Multilingual audio description | Audio description in multiple languages — combining our in-house translation team with AD production specialists. Script translation, cultural adaptation, recording, and delivery in all required formats for international distribution. | Get a quote |
| AD script writing | AI-assisted audio description script creation reviewed and finalized by human AD specialists. Available as a standalone deliverable for organizations with their own recording capability. Follows American Council of the Blind AD Project standards. | View service |
| Extended audio description | Extended AD for content with dense dialogue where standard pauses are insufficient — the video is paused to allow time for complete visual descriptions. Required for some educational content and complex visual narratives. | Get a quote |
Free quote — same day response
Contact us for a precise project quote. We respond to all inquiries within one business day. Rush turnaround available for time-sensitive deadlines. Ready to start? Contact Gotham Lab for a free consultation!
Audio Description Compliance — FCC, ADA, CVAA & Section 508
Audio description compliance in the United States is governed by four primary regulatory frameworks — the Federal Communications Commission, the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Twenty-First Century Communications and Video Accessibility Act, and Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act. Each framework has distinct requirements, applicable organizations, and enforcement mechanisms. Gotham Lab’s audio description services are designed to meet all four frameworks simultaneously.
FCC Audio Description Requirements
The Federal Communications Commission requires the following broadcast and cable networks to provide a minimum of 87.5 hours of audio-described programming per calendar quarter: ABC, CBS, Fox, NBC affiliates in the top 60 television markets, and the five largest non-broadcast networks — currently USA Network, TNT, TBS, History Channel, and Disney Channel. Additional non-broadcast networks have been added to this list as required audio description hours have expanded under the CVAA.
FCC audio description requirements apply to prime time and children’s programming. The FCC’s definition of audio description specifies ‘the insertion of audio narrated descriptions of a television program’s key visual elements into natural pauses between the program’s dialogue.’ Programs that are broadcast with audio description must also include the AD track when distributed online or via streaming platforms, under CVAA Title II requirements.
Gotham Lab delivers FCC-compliant audio description tracks in the Secondary Audio Program (SAP) format for broadcast television delivery. Every AD track we produce meets FCC quality standards for accuracy, completeness, synchronization, and placement.
ADA Audio Description Requirements
The Americans with Disabilities Act requires organizations to provide accessible communications to individuals with disabilities. For video content, this means ensuring that people who are blind or have low vision have equal access to the information conveyed visually in the content. ADA audio description requirements apply broadly:
- Educational institutions — universities, colleges, and K-12 schools must provide audio description for video instructional content, online courses, and educational programming under ADA Title II and Title III
- Government agencies — all federal, state, and local government agencies must ensure their video content is accessible to people with visual disabilities under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act and ADA Title II
- Corporate employers — businesses must provide accessible video communications for employees with disabilities under ADA Title I, including training videos, onboarding content, and internal communications
- Public accommodations — museums, cultural institutions, theaters, and other public venues must ensure their audiovisual content and programming is accessible under ADA Title III
CVAA Audio Description Requirements
The Twenty-First Century Communications and Video Accessibility Act of 2010 restored and expanded the FCC’s authority to mandate audio description for broadcast television and extended audio description requirements to internet-distributed video. Under CVAA Title II, any television program that is broadcast with audio description must also include the AD track when the program is distributed online — covering video-on-demand platforms, streaming services, and broadcaster websites.
The CVAA also requires that video programming equipment — televisions, set-top boxes, streaming devices, and mobile devices — be capable of passing through and activating audio description tracks. User interface controls for activating AD must be accessible to people who are blind or visually impaired. These device requirements mean that content delivered with properly formatted AD tracks will be accessible across all compliant devices and platforms.
Streaming Platform Audio Description Requirements
Major streaming platforms have their own audio description requirements that go beyond FCC minimums. Content producers and distributors delivering programming to these platforms must meet platform-specific AD specifications:
- Netflix — requires audio description tracks for all original content and acquired content in English and key languages. AD tracks must be delivered as separate audio files in platform-specific formats with precise synchronization timecodes
- Amazon Prime Video — requires audio description for all Amazon Original content and strongly recommends AD for third-party content. AD tracks delivered in platform-compatible audio formats
- Disney+ — requires audio description for all Disney, Marvel, Star Wars, Pixar, and National Geographic content. AD must meet Disney’s specific quality and stylistic guidelines
- Apple TV+ — requires audio description for all original Apple content in multiple languages
- Hulu — requires audio description for original content and recommends AD for licensed content
Gotham Lab delivers audio description tracks that meet the technical specifications of every major streaming platform — including file format, timecode precision, audio quality standards, and stylistic requirements. Every AD track is reviewed against platform specifications before delivery to ensure first-pass acceptance.
Multilingual Audio Description
Gotham Lab provides audio description in multiple languages for content requiring international distribution or multilingual accessibility compliance. Our multilingual audio description services combine our in-house translation team with our AD production specialists — ensuring that multilingual AD tracks are not merely translated but are culturally adapted and linguistically appropriate for each target audience.
Multilingual audio description is increasingly required by streaming platforms distributing content to international markets, educational institutions serving multilingual student populations, and government agencies serving diverse communities. Gotham Lab’s integrated translation and AD production capability — all handled from our New York City studio — makes us uniquely positioned to deliver multilingual AD packages that no pure audio description company or pure translation agency can match.
Industries We Serve — Audio Description Services
Broadcast & television
Network, cable, and satellite television requiring FCC-mandated audio description
Streaming platforms
Netflix, Amazon, Disney+, Apple TV+, Hulu, and HBO Max original and acquired content
Film & entertainment
Feature films, documentaries, short films, and theatrical releases
Corporate
Employee training, onboarding, and internal communications requiring ADA compliance
Gotham Lab provides audio description services across every industry that produces or distributes video content with visual accessibility requirements.
Education
Universities, online courses, eLearning platforms, and educational video libraries requiring ADA and Section 508 compliance
Government
Federal, state, and local government agencies requiring Section 504 and Section 508 compliance
Museums & cultural institutions
Exhibit audio description, educational programming, and public event recordings
Healthcare
Patient education videos, clinical training, and medical communications
Audio Description Scripts
Audio description begins with a well-crafted script. Gotham Lab’s audio description specialists write AD scripts that are accurate, concise, objective, and timed to fit naturally within the dialogue and audio landscape of your content. Our AI-assisted script generation produces an initial draft that is refined and finalized by our human specialists — ensuring every description is precise, appropriately detailed, and stylistically consistent with professional audio description standards.
AD scripts are available as a standalone deliverable for organizations that have their own recording capability, or as part of our full audio description production service including script writing, recording, timing, and delivery. Our scripts follow the conventions established by the American Council of the Blind’s Audio Description Project and meet the requirements of all major broadcast and streaming platforms.
For more information about our audio description script services, visit here.
Why Choose Gotham Lab for Audio Description?
Five reasons broadcast networks, streaming platforms, educational institutions, and film producers choose Gotham Lab over every other audio description company in New York.
| Why Gotham Lab | What it means for you |
|---|---|
| AI-assisted, human-directed production | Gotham Lab's audio description production combines AI-assisted script generation and timing analysis with specialized human expertise at every critical stage — review, editing, recording direction, and compliance verification. This hybrid model delivers faster turnaround and more competitive pricing than traditional human-only AD production without compromising the precision and narrative quality that professional audio description requires. Contact us to discuss your project. |
| FCC, ADA, CVAA & Section 508 compliant | Every audio description track Gotham Lab delivers meets all four applicable compliance frameworks — FCC broadcast requirements, ADA accessibility standards for educational and corporate content, CVAA Title II requirements for internet-distributed programming, and Section 508 requirements for federally funded organizations. One AD partner covering every compliance requirement simultaneously. Learn more about our compliance coverage. |
| Full accessibility package — one studio | Gotham Lab is the only NYC studio providing audio description alongside closed captioning, subtitling, voice-over production, and movie localization under one roof. Complete accessibility and localization packages — AD, captions, subtitles, and CCSL — coordinated by a single project manager from our New York City office. |
| Multilingual audio description | Gotham Lab provides audio description in multiple languages — combining our in-house translation team with our AD production specialists. Multilingual AD for international streaming distribution, educational institutions serving diverse populations, and government agencies serving multilingual communities. No competitor offers this capability in New York City. |
| Nearly two decades of accessibility expertise | Since 2007 Gotham Lab has been producing accessibility content for broadcast networks, streaming platforms, film distributors, educational institutions, museums, and corporate clients worldwide. The same professional production standards we bring to our highest-profile broadcast and streaming projects apply to every project — regardless of scale or budget. Contact our NYC team today. |
Ready to make your content accessible? Contact our New York City team for a free consultation and same-day quote.
Contact Gotham Lab: info@gothamlab.com | +1 347-587-8110 | 340 W 42nd St #2424, New York, NY 10108
f.a.q.
Frequently Asked Questions — Audio Description Services
Everything you need to know about audio description, FCC and CVAA compliance, our AI-assisted production model, pricing, and delivery — answered by Gotham Lab’s New York City audio description team.
What is audio description?
Is audio description required by law?
What is your AI-assisted, human-directed production model?
What compliance standards does your audio description meet?
Do you provide audio description for Netflix and streaming platforms?
What is the difference between standard and extended audio description?
Do you provide multilingual audio description?
Can you provide audio description scripts as a standalone service?
How long does audio description production take?
Is all audio description production done in New York?
Get a Free Audio Description Quote
Gotham Lab’s New York City team is ready to discuss your audio description project. Whether you need a single FCC-compliant AD track for a broadcast program, a complete streaming platform accessibility package including audio description and closed captions, multilingual AD for international distribution, or audio description scripts as a standalone deliverable — our AI-assisted, human-directed production model delivers faster turnaround and more competitive pricing than traditional audio description services without compromising quality or compliance.
We respond to all project inquiries within one business day. Rush turnaround is available for broadcast and distribution deadlines. Contact us for a free consultation — no commitment required.
Contact Gotham Lab: info@gothamlab.com | +1 347-587-8110 | 340 W 42nd St #2424, New York, NY 10108
In-house. New York City. Since 2007
Every project handled by our NYC team — no outsourcing, no middlemen, no subcontractors. Translation, localization, subtitling, voice-over, and CCSL in 50+ languages at rates 20–30% below the national average. Get started with a free consultation today.
Gotham Lab – NYC
Address: 340 W 42nd St #2424, New York, NY 10108
Phone: +1 347-587-8110
Email: info@gothamlab.com
Hours: Mon–Fri: 8:00am–7:00pm | Sat: 9:00am–5:00pm