A broadcast captioner’s job is to provide closed caption text during a live television broadcast, usually with the help of a computer system and software similar to that of a court stenographer. Captioners can work onsite at a television network or station, or they can telecommute from home, which requires a larger initial investment on the captioner’s part. A broadcast captioner usually watches a live television broadcast feed as it is being sent out to homes and other receivers and captions it in real time using a keyboard designed to make shorthand typing easier and more efficient.
While there are various types of captioners, a broadcast captioner is in charge of creating closed caption text to go along with a live broadcast. This text appears as text along the top or bottom of the screen on televisions designed to receive closed captioning, which is quite common for newer sets. Individuals with hearing loss or deafness may benefit from captioning because they can better understand what is being said without having to read the lips of those on screen.
A broadcast captioner’s main responsibilities include watching a live broadcast and typing out the captions for that program in real time. Closed captions are frequently used in news broadcasts, as well as other television shows. However, because these broadcasts are sent out live from the network or station, captioners cannot simply type up captions for them ahead of time. Offline captioners are frequently used to do this for recorded broadcasts. As a result, a broadcast captioner must be able to type quickly and accurately in order for the system to relay text of what a news broadcaster is saying in real time, with only a few seconds of delay between spoken content and captions.
While a broadcast captioner can work for a network or station, captioners can also work from home, using computer equipment and software to connect to a network via the Internet. The input keyboard of a broadcast captioner is similar to that of a court stenographer, allowing him or her to type in shorthand. This speeds up caption data entry, but becoming fully proficient with this shorthand typically takes several years of professional training.
Because the systems are so similar, a court stenographer can also work as a broadcast captioner. Different associations, such as the National Court Reporters Association (NCRA) in the United States, offer certifications for both professions. Captioners can work for many hours at a time during a major news story or an emergency, typing quickly and accurately to ensure that information is relayed to those who may be in need.