[bgruber]

Agreed that starting with their own content makes sense. As for the difficulty of adding existing AD assets, I'm unclear as to why this is any more difficult than adding more language tracks, something Netflix has been doing for years. As for procedural and contractual issues, advocates in the past have gone so far as to get the owners of the assets to agree to license to Netflix free of charge, to no avail.

It's sad that in the UK, VOD services are even further behind on accessibility. I do hope that Netflix is actively seeking out AD, but given their track record so far, I'll believe it when I see it.

Most of all though, I wanted to respond to one particular thing you said: "And for all the stick they get, Netflix actually leads the way in accessible content"

The lesson I've taken from this is that they don't get nearly enough, or perhaps the right kind of, stick. Advocates (and legislators in some countries) have been after Netflix on this issue for years, but what finally seems to have gotten Netflix to take action was when the mainstream media started picking up on the story. That action was swift and completely addressed the story that the media told. I therefore think it important to keep the story going in an attempt to ensure that Netflix keeps working on this problem.

[jamesbrownuhh]

Perhaps the issue just hit home more effectively at Netflix once it was their own content - and particularly content involving a blind central character. Who knows.

I agree that the issue needs to stay in the public eye, but not if it's just going to be bashing Netflix all the time. Don't give the other players like Amazon and Hulu a free pass - ask them where THEIR audio described content is, and when they say there isn't any, ask them why. When they say that they don't, or they can't, ask them why not. Check the On Demand on your cable box - is there any DVS there? Ask them why not. This is a vast issue and just focusing on Netflix alone will not solve the greater problem.

[anigbrowl]

adding more language tracks, something Netflix has been doing for years

Netflix doesn't do that. Producers pay to have that done or take the language track in part-payment from an international distributor who pays to have it done. Also dubbing in new dialog is way easier because you replace existing dialog, you're not trying to fit in around it.

[bgruber]

When I say that it seems no harder than adding more language tracks, what I'm talking about is adding pre-existing description tracks to Netflix. Of course producing new description is harder than adding existing language tracks.

[mentat]

Are you unclear as to why it's harder because you actually have some technical expertise or because you just feel some sort of outrage? Language tracks are usually same sourced, are ADs? I wouldn't know and wouldn't assume because I don't have the expertise nor the outrage.