Second audio program

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This article is about an American analog television standard which is a part of MTS. For the secondary audio feed on television in general, see Sound multiplex in broadcasting.

Second audio program (SAP), also known as secondary audio programming, is an auxiliary

video format and MTS are also used in Canada and Mexico
.

Usage

SAP is often used to provide audio tracks in languages other than the native language included in the program. In the United States, this is sometimes used for Spanish-language audio (especially during sports telecasts), often leading to the function being referred to facetiously as the "Spanish audio program". Likewise, some Spanish-language programs may, in rare cases, offer English on SAP. Some stations may relay NOAA Weather Radio services, or, particularly in the case of PBS stations, a local National Public Radio (NPR) sister station, on the audio channel when SAP is not being used. In Canada, parliamentary and public affairs channel CPAC similarly uses SAP to carry both English and French-language audio.

SAP is also a means of distribution for

visually impaired. Under the Twenty-First Century Communications and Video Accessibility Act of 2010, top U.S. television networks and cable networks have been gradually required to broadcast quotas of audio described programming per-quarter,[1][2][3][4] Since May 26, 2015, broadcasters have been required under the Act to provide dictations on SAP of any "emergency information" displayed in a textual format outside of the Emergency Alert System and newscasts.[5][6][7]

Frequencies

MTS features, including

bandpass
from 60 Hz to 12 kHz, which is less than the "regular" audio channel which runs from 50 Hz to 15 kHz.

Though not technically an SAP channel,

cameramen
. This channel is located at 6.5 times the pilot (102.271 kHz), and is also part of the MTS standard.

Other media

Second audio programs are also available in other media. On analog television receive-only satellite television systems, audio programs are manually tuned by their subcarrier frequency, commonly around 6 MHz, often as low as 5.8 or as high as 7.2. These travel the same way as the discrete left and right main audio channels, and ATIS station ID, which is heard as Morse code. On FM radio, radio reading services and other audio programs can be heard on subcarriers through subsidiary communications authority; however, these are generally prohibited from public listening without special equipment. HD Radio subchannels, somewhat more widely available, operate on a similar premise but generally carry totally unrelated programming to the main feed.

On digital television systems, selection is done through a menu as with analog television, though some provide easier access rather than having to dig down to find the option. Stations may also choose to transmit audio-only programs by assigning them to separate digital subchannels with an optional screen of title and artist information; however, this prevents the viewer from watching the main video in the case of television stations.

References

  1. ^ "Networks Set To Launch Video Descriptions". TVNewsCheck. June 13, 2012. Retrieved April 15, 2019.
  2. ^ Browne, Maria T.; London, Ronald G.; Holl, Brendan. "FCC adopts video description regulations". Lexology. Davis Wright Tremaine LLP. Retrieved April 15, 2019.
  3. ^ Eggerton, John. "FCC Expands Video Description Mandate". Broadcasting & Cable. Retrieved April 15, 2019.
  4. ^ Wattles, Jackie (July 12, 2017). "FCC to require more shows be aired with video descriptions to aid the blind". CNNMoney. Retrieved April 16, 2019.
  5. ^ "FCC's Text to Speech Rule Takes Effect November 30, 2015". Wiley Rein LLP. Retrieved April 16, 2019.
  6. ^ Oxenford, David (March 28, 2018). "FCC Requests Comments on Extension of Compliance Deadline for TV Stations to Convert Non-Textual Emergency Information into Audio on SAP Channel". Broadcast Law Blog. Wilkinson Barker Knauer LLP 1800 M. Street NW Suite 800N Washington DC 20036 Fax: 202.783.5851. Retrieved April 16, 2019.
  7. ^ Kessler, Warren (May 25, 2018). "FCC Grants TV Stations Last-Minute Reprieve on Certain Audible Crawl Requirements". Comm Law Center. Retrieved April 16, 2019.
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