Recent Survey Data Proves the Value of Subtitles in The Entertainment Industry

As the world continues to move at a breakneck pace, it’s no surprise that our attention spans are suffering. According to a study, the average attention span decreased from 12 seconds in 2000 to just 8 seconds in 2015.

With the rise of social media and the constant stream of information we’re bombarded with daily, it’s no wonder that our attention spans are struggling. This is especially true for younger users who are constantly multitasking and jumping between different platforms.

Subtitles can be a great way to improve your viewing experience, whether you’re watching a movie or TV show in a foreign language or you’re simply trying to understand what’s being said over the din of background noise.

A better understanding of the content

Subtitles can help you understand the dialogue better, grasp the storyline more easily, and appreciate the movie or show. In information-packed movies and TV series, subtitles can be a great way to get the gist of what’s going on without having to rewind or pause the video.

They can also include information about sound effects, off-screen dialogues, and other relevant noises.

When you’re able to see the dialogue as well as hear it, you’re less likely to miss anything important. As mentioned in a new survey about the utilisation of subtitles for tv and film content as seen here, 66% of people said that subtitles help them understand the story more closely.

Improved focus and concentration

If you’re struggling to focus on the dialogue in a movie or TV show, subtitles can be a great way to keep your attention locked in. By reading the dialogue along with the audio, you’re effectively forcing yourself to concentrate on what’s being said.

40% of people who watched film or tv show content declared that subtitles helped improve their concentration levels. 

Married women are leading the charge

Married women are more likely to use subtitles than any other marital status demographic, with 34% of respondents saying they always or frequently use them.

The reasons for this are likely multifaceted, but one theory is that married women are more likely to be settled down and watch movies or TV shows at home on the couch, where using subtitles is more convenient.

In addition, married women are also more likely to be watching movies or TV shows with their children, which makes subtitles a necessity if they want to understand what’s going on.

Most Netflix users are in favour of subtitles

A whopping 85% of Netflix users said they use subtitles when watching movies or TV shows on the streaming service.

This is likely because Netflix offers an extensive selection of movies and TV shows from all over the world, many of which are in languages other than English. In addition, a lot of Netflix’s original content is produced in foreign countries, which makes subtitles a necessity.

When compared to other streaming services, Amazon Prime Video only has about half of its users say they use subtitles. Disney+ only has 37% of its users say they use subtitles while watching content across their platform.

How the Future of Subtitles Looks

The use of subtitles is only going to become more prevalent in the years to come. Services like Netflix and Disney are investing heavily in foreign-language content, which will only increase the demand for subtitles.

In addition, more people are watching movies and TV shows on their phones and tablets, which makes it even easier to use subtitles. With the tap of a finger, you can enable or disable subtitles on most streaming apps.

Thanks to advances in artificial intelligence, it may soon be possible for subtitles to be generated automatically. This would not only save time and money for content creators, but it would also make it easier for viewers with hearing impairments to enjoy their favourite shows and movies.

Automatic subtitle generation could also help to improve the quality of translations, making it possible for viewers around the world to enjoy content in their native language. With so many potential benefits, it’s clear that the future of subtitles is bright.

Final Thoughts

As the world becomes more connected and globalised, the use of subtitles will become more common. Whether you’re watching a Hollywood blockbuster or a Korean drama, the chances are you’ll be using subtitles as the benefits are there to be reaped. Subtitles can help you understand plotlines, improve concentration levels, and can even help people learn new languages.