United KingdomMedia and entertainment2024 – ongoingBBC
Whisper subtitles and transcripts for BBC Sounds
The BBC used Whisper to add subtitles and transcripts to selected Sounds programmes
Problem
Audio programmes were difficult to access for audiences who were deaf or had hearing loss. BBC Sounds needed text versions of its spoken content.
Approach
The BBC trialled Whisper AI to generate subtitles and transcripts for selected BBC Sounds programmes. Its annual report identified The Archers and The Today Podcast among the programmes included. The BBC described the trial as successful and said it produced high-quality text.
Results
No published figures
Takeaway
The BBC tested speech recognition as an audience-facing accessibility feature. The reported result covered selected programmes, without a published transcription-error rate.
Categories
- Size
- Large enterprise
- Industry
- Media and entertainment
- Business function
- Production and quality
- Innovation type
- Product and service innovation
- AI technology
- Generative AIConversational and voice AI
- Adoption
- Off-the-shelf tool or platform
- Evidence
- Company's own claim
Sources
Source summaries
The BBC reported a successful Whisper AI trial that added subtitles and transcripts to selected Sounds programmes. It named The Archers and The Today Podcast and described the work as improving accessibility for audiences with hearing loss.
Full details are in the original sources.
