Audio Description

The information on this page is used by with the kind permission of the RNIB and is adapted from their own AD website at www.audiodescription.org.uk. You can also call the Audio Description Helpline on 0845 601 01 81.

If you struggle to see your favourite television programmes, Audio Description could be for you.

Audio Description (AD) is a free and existing service that can transform the enjoyment of TV for people who have difficulty seeing what’s happening on the screen. Like a narrator telling a story, an additional commentary describes body language, expressions and movements, making the story clear through sound.

How to turn on Audio Description

As a Virgin Media customer, you already have Audio Description and just need to turn it on!

You’ll need to use your remote control and follow an on-screen menu display. If you have trouble seeing the display, call the Virgin Media Customer Care Line on 0800 052 2525 and they will talk you through the process. Once it is set up, it will be on every time you turn on your TV.

Getting to the Audio Description menu
  1. Press the “Home” or “Guide” button, (usually a large button towards the centre of the remote).
  2. A menu with nine options will appear. The options are numbered one to nine.
  3. Press eight for “Settings”.
  4. The settings menu has six options, numbered one to six.
  5. Press four for “Change Display and Audio Settings”.

Turning on Audio Description

  1. The “Display and Audio” menu is an un-numbered list of items on the left of the page, and scrollable settings on the right.
  2. Push the down arrow four times to highlight the setting “Audio Description when available”.
  3. Press the right arrow once. The display will change to “yes”.
  4. Save your settings by pressing the “OK” button

Using Audio Description

Even if you have turned on Audio Description, certain channels need to be viewed on a different channel number to their regular one, as follows:

All other channels can be watched on their normal number and receive Audio Description.

You can find out which TV programmes on Virgin Media have Audio Description by clicking here. (Please note that this is an external site and is therefore not part of VMInfo.)