April 27, 2025, 12:28 pm | Read time: 3 minutes
For those who like to have subtitles on while watching Netflix, the provider now offers a useful new feature. It is less distracting.
What used to be the domain of a select group of passionate fans is now a widespread phenomenon: watching movies and series in their original language. Those who are proficient in one or more foreign languages enjoy the original script lines and the authentic voices of the stars. And for those who need a little help, there are subtitles. However, Netflix users have had to settle for what’s known as Closed Captioning. That’s about to change.
New Option for Netflix Subtitles Coming
As Netflix writes in a blog post, 50 percent of all Americans now watch content with subtitles turned on. This trend is also evident on the streaming service itself. In other countries, more and more people are opting for the original audio track with additional text.
Until now, Netflix subtitles have been available only as Closed Captioning (CC). This means that not only are the dialogues displayed as text, but also numerous other acoustic events. You might read cues like “dramatic music plays” or “rain patters against the windows.” This is especially useful for people with hearing impairments, but it can be distracting to others.
That’s why Netflix is introducing new subtitles without Closed Captioning. So, if you want to follow just the conversations and don’t need additional information, you can set this option separately.
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“You” Season 5 Leads the Way
According to the company, the new Netflix subtitles will debut with the fifth season of the hit series “You.” More Netflix titles are expected to benefit from this, and not just in English. All new Netflix originals will offer the new option in various languages.
To select the subtitle language without the “CC” addition, simply choose it from the appropriate menu during streaming. An example image shows that the option is already available in German. This is particularly useful if you’re streaming in a noisy environment or need to be quiet because someone is sleeping nearby. Fans can also continue to adjust the size and font of the subtitles as usual.