There are two main ways signing appears on television. The first is sign-presented programmes, where deaf presenters and actors are at the heart of the content. The second is sign-interpreted programmes, where an interpreter is added to existing programmes.

Right now, broadcasting is at a turning point — with the Media Act 2024 and the rise of AI technologies such as avatar interpreters on screen. Broadcasters are making important decisions about how to deliver accessible content.

That is why LumoTV have asked Heriot-Watt University to gather independent evidence about what deaf audiences prefer, and for which genres. Our aim is to provide clear evidence on deaf viewers’ preferences for sign-presented versus sign-interpreted content.

We have created a survey to gather this information. The survey has been disseminated online. From July to September 2025, our research assistants will be visiting deaf festivals and other large deaf events across the UK to approach people to fill in the survey. We aim to collect responses from 500–1,000 participants.

The findings will help inform strategic discussions with broadcasters, regulators such as Ofcom, stakeholders, and government decision-makers, ensuring that future policies and practices reflect the experiences and priorities of deaf people themselves.

Here is the survey (closes 30 September 2025).