FCC rules require local TV station affiliates of ABC, CBS, Fox, and NBC located in the top 80 TV markets to provide 87.5 hours per calendar quarter (about 7 hours per week) of audio-described programming, of which 50 hours must be prime time and/or children's programming and 37.5 hours may be any type of programming shown between 6:00 a.m. and midnight.
- Local affiliates of ABC, CBS, Fox, and NBC in markets smaller than the top 80 also usually provide audio description. Check with your local TV stations.
- Many Public Broadcasting System stations also provide audio description on a number of programs. Check with your local PBS station.
Subscription TV systems (offered over cable, satellite or the telephone network) with 50,000 or more subscribers must provide 87.5 hours per calendar quarter (about 7 hours per week) of audio-described programming on the top five most-watched non-broadcast networks, of which 50 hours must be prime time and/or children's programming and 37.5 hours may be any type of programming shown between 6:00 a.m. and midnight.
- The top five non-broadcast networks are TLC, HGTV, Hallmark, History, and TBS.
- Subscription TV systems with fewer than 50,000 subscribers also usually provide audio description. Check with your subscription TV provider.
Broadcast TV stations and subscription TV systems must also pass through audio description received with their programs unless the secondary audio stream is being used for another purpose related to the programming.