Apple announced that it is bringing a unique new sign language feature to Apple TV, beginning with the release of Being Heumann this Friday. Sign language interpretation isn’t new to movies and TV shows. Streaming services like Disney+ and HBO Max offer ASL versions of movies, but as separate versions of movies like Ant-Man and Barbie that are often found in an “extras” section of a movie’s listing.
What’s different about Apple’s approach is that it works a lot like subtitles. There’s one version of a movie and buttons in the player UI that toggle sign language interpretation on and off. At launch, Being Heumann and F1: The Movie will support American Sign Language (ASL) and British Sign Language (BSL), with Way of the Warrior Kid and Greyhound following later this year. Apple plans to add additional titles later, too.
Sarah Herrlinger, Apple’s senior director of Global Accessibility Policy and Initiatives, had this to say about the new Apple TV feature:
At Apple, we believe everyone should be able to enjoy great stories and entertainment. Bringing sign language interpretation to Apple TV is an exciting step forward in making the viewing experience more accessible and inclusive for Deaf audiences. Accessibility is a core value at Apple, and we’re proud to continue creating experiences that allow more people to enjoy the content they love.
The feature is enabled in the Apple TV app’s settings and noted for individual titles in the app’s UI with a sign language icon. Once enabled, the button for turning on sign language is available as part of the playback controls interface. Apple is enhancing discovery of supported titles with search support for “with ASL” and a dedicated collection of titles that will expand over time.
Sign language interpretation is available in version 27.2 and later of iOS, iPadOS, macOS, tvOS, visionOS, and supported third-party devices that have the latest Apple TV app.
