Sky Sports introduces descriptive commentary and live subtitles for Premier League
October 8, 2026 11.49 Europe/London By Julian Clover


Sky Sports is introducing live descriptive audio commentary and subtitles across its Premier League coverage, with the new accessibility services launching on Saturday 10 October.

The broadcaster will provide dedicated commentary for blind and partially sighted viewers, alongside live subtitles for deaf and hard-of-hearing audiences.

The descriptive commentary service will offer more detailed coverage of player movements, positioning, referee signals, substitutions and crowd reactions. Delivered by specialist commentators, it will provide a more continuous, radio-style account of matches than conventional television commentary.

The service has been developed with input from accessibility specialists, representative users and the Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB).

It will make its debut during Manchester United’s match against Tottenham Hotspur on Saturday, with Sky planning to offer descriptive commentary for one match per day during each Premier League gameweek, covering approximately 109 fixtures per season.

Live subtitles will be available across all Premier League matches shown on Sky Sports’ main channels, representing approximately 210 fixtures each season.

Both services will be available to viewers using Sky+, Sky Q, Sky Glass, Sky Stream and NOW, as well as those watching Sky Sports through Virgin Media. Customers can activate the features through their accessibility settings or on-screen menus, with audio description also available through Sky’s voice control.

The launch forms part of a three-season accessibility partnership between Sky Media and Guinness, which is extending its sponsorship of Sky Sports’ Premier League coverage.

The two companies are jointly funding the initiative, which will run until the end of the 2028/29 season.

The announcement coincides with World Sight Day on 8 October and reflects growing efforts by sports broadcasters to make live coverage more accessible across traditional television and streaming platforms.