Netflix Introduces Dialogue-Only Subtitles With You Season 5

Contents

‘All new Netflix originals’ to feature the new dialogue-only subtitle option

Summary

Netflix is launching a new dialogue-only subtitle option starting with the final season of its hit series You, available to stream today.
This new option differs from standard closed captions by displaying only spoken words and omitting sound effects or other audio cues, offering a less cluttered reading experience.
The dialogue-only subtitles will be available on all new Netflix original content in every language that currently offers closed captions.

The twisted saga of Netflix ‘s hit series You, which first captivated audiences around the globe in 2018, is finally coming to an end. You‘s final season, season 5, is available to stream in its entirety (10 episodes) starting today.

Netflix is using the high-profile launch to debut a new feature — one that would make reading through subtitles a much more distraction-free experience.

This comes soon after the streaming giant reportedly began testing show recommendations based on far more specific search terms and reportedly even the viewer’s mood.

Netflix running on the T-Mobile Revvl Tab

According to a new Netflix blog post (via TechCrunch), starting with You season 5, users will now see two subtitle options. In the case of English, these will be English and English (CC). Essentially, Netflix is differentiating regular subtitles and closed captions.

For reference, while regular subtitles simply offer a written version of spoken dialogue, closed captions pair that with information about sound effects, speaker names, and other audio cues (phone buzzing, or door slams, for example).

‘All new Netflix originals’ to feature the new dialogue-only subtitle option

A screenshot of Netflix's new subtitle and subtitle with CC options.

Up until now, Netflix users that wanted subtitles in the original language were limited to the latter — subtitles with closed captions. They’re undoubtedly useful, especially for those hard of hearing, or those just trying to sneak in an episode at a very low volume. With today’s announcement, users that don’t need additional context about audio cues can opt for subtitles that display only the spoken dialogue.

The streaming giant indicated that the new subtitle option would appear on “new titles coming to Netflix,” starting with You today. Additionally, the set of subtitles will be available on all of Netflix’s new original content in every language that it offers CC subtitles in. For reference, in the case of You season 5, I’m already seeing the set of subtitles available in English, German, Spanish, French, Italian, Brazilian Portuguese, and European Spanish.