Conducting a survey of over 1260 Americans, Preply, an e-learning platform, aimed to explore why Americans have an affinity for subtitles. The survey results were unexpected.

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​The most common reasons why Americans use subtitles are as follows:

• 72% of respondents said they use subtitles because the audio is muddled or unclear. This suggests that subtitles can be a helpful tool to aid in hearing and understanding dialogue in challenging audio environments.
• 61% of those surveyed stated that the reason for using subtitles is that accents can be difficult to understand. This is a common issue when watching films or TV shows from foreign countries or with diverse casts.
• 29% of respondents indicated that they use subtitles to watch content quietly at home. This may be because they don’t want to disturb others in the household or because they prefer to watch content with lower volume levels.
• 27% of Americans use subtitles to stay focused on the screen. This could be because they find it easier to follow the action when reading along with the dialogue.
• Only 18% of those surveyed said they use subtitles to learn a new language.

These statistics indicate that there are various reasons why Americans choose to use subtitles, with the majority citing unclear audio and challenging accents as the primary motivations.

The survey also uncovered that:

• Approximately 80% of people find background music distracting, and it interferes with hearing the dialogue.
• About 55% of Americans believe that hearing dialogue is more challenging now than in the past.
• 35% of respondents think that actors and TV personalities speak faster than they used to.
• Nearly half of the participants stated that recent productions’ visuals are not as well-lit as they used to be.

Moreover, subtitles provide additional benefits beyond enhancing audibility. More than two-thirds of Americans claim that subtitles help them comprehend the plot better, and about 68% believe that subtitles assist them in focusing on the screen. 55% of respondents report frequently rewinding after missing parts of the dialogue when not using subtitles. These findings suggest that subtitles are more commonly used in America than previously assumed.

According to the survey, 57% of all participants reported watching shows, movies, or videos in public. This suggests that a significant proportion of people consume digital content outside of their homes, whether on public transportation, in waiting rooms, or during breaks at work or school. 

Furthermore, the statistics reveal that 74% of Generation Z respondents (those born between 1997-2012) watch shows, movies, or videos in public. This demographic’s high usage of digital content in public spaces could be due to their affinity for mobile devices and their desire for constant connectivity and entertainment.

​While there are many reasons why Americans use subtitles, it’s clear that captions or subtitles provide significant benefits beyond just helping viewers hear and understand the dialogue. At MOBICO by Saltlux Innovation, we understand the importance of delivering high-quality subtitle services that help clients improve their content’s accessibility, engagement, and overall impact.

Whether you’re producing videos, films, TV shows, or any other type of content, our transcription/ subtitling services can help you reach a broader audience and provide a better viewing experience for all. We offer accurate, fast, and cost-effective subtitle solutions that cater to your specific needs and preferences. Plus, with our expertise in multiple languages and dialects, our team can help you expand your content’s global reach and make it more accessible to non-native speakers.

If you’re looking for a reliable subtitling service provider to enhance your content’s value and appeal, look no further than our team. Contact us today to learn more about our services and how we can help you take your content to the next level!