What is the CVAA?

What is the CVAA?

What is the CVAA?

The Twenty-First Century Communications and Video Accessibility Act of 2010 (CVAA) updates federal communications law to increase the access of persons with disabilities to modern communications. It makes sure that accessibility laws enacted in the 1980s and 1990s are brought up to date with 21st-century technologies, including new digital, broadband, and mobile innovations.

The CVAA is composed of two Titles that describe new requirements for communication access and video programming.

The important takeaway for online video distributors is the requirements for captioning. All video programming that was shown on TV with captions must be captioned when re-shown on the Internet. This means that programs shown only on the internet are not required to be captioned. Even if the video was shown on The internet first, once it is shown on TV, it must be captioned for the Internet.

What video content is Included/Excluded?

What is the CVAA?

What dates should I know?

Under CVAA, three are three types of internet video programming that each have their own due dates for captioning.

Full-length video programming:

  • All prerecorded programming not edited for Internet distribution shown on or after September 30, 2012, must be captioned.
  • All live and near-live programming (shown within 24 hours of being recorded) shown on or after March 30, 2013, must be captioned.
  • All prerecorded programming that is substantially edited for Internet distribution shown on or after September 30, 2013, must be captioned.

Internet video clips:

  • All straight lift clips shown on or after January 1, 2016, must be captioned.
  • All montages shown on or after January 1, 2017, must be captioned.
  • All video clips of live and near-live TV programming (such as news or sporting events) shown on or after July 1, 2017 must be captioned within 12-hours for live and 8 hours for near-live

Archival Video programming:

  • Distributors have extra time to add captions to video programming that they already show on the internet and that is later shown on TV with captions. These time allowances have been phased in over the past two years. As of March 30, 2016, distributors have 15 days after the date it is shown on TV with captions.

For more information about the CVAA and FCC guidelines visit:

Accessibility links:

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Nicole E. Flynn, CMO at cielo24, is deeply interested in exploring and communicating the ways in which Artificial Intelligence (AI) intersects with various aspects of our daily lives. She is passionate about exploring the ways in which AI can be ethically harnessed to improve the quality of life and make our world a better place. Nicole seeks to educate and inform audiences about the potential of AI technology and how it can be used to drive innovation and growth.

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