What you will find in the article:
- 71 per cent of Czech viewers prefer dubbing, whilst 29 per cent prefer the original version
- 83 per cent of viewers watching the original version use Czech subtitles
- Convenience and comfort are the main reasons for preferring dubbing
- 65 per cent of viewers use subtitles more often on mobile devices
- Preferences vary depending on the type of content and viewing situation
Among viewers who prefer the original version, watching with Czech subtitles is by far the most common choice. 83 per cent of them opt for subtitles. Only 17 per cent watch foreign productions in the original language without subtitles, or with subtitles in another language. According to the survey organiser, the choice between dubbing and subtitles is primarily linked to viewing convenience. According to Erika Luzsicz, director of AXOCOM, this convenience is one of the main reasons why dubbing continues to prevail in the Czech market. “For example, when watching programmes on television, it is generally more pleasant for viewers to use dubbing. In the evening after work, they don’t want to think; they just want to be entertained,” says Luzsicza, commenting on the survey results.
Dubbing also depends on the situation
The situation is different when it comes to mobile devices. Watching content on smaller screens is more often associated with the use of subtitles. 65 per cent of viewers switch to subtitles on their mobile devices at least once in a while. According to the survey, this mainly involves viewing away from home, for example on public transport or in the office, where the way television and film content is consumed differs from watching at home.
The choice between an audio track and subtitles is also influenced by who is watching and what kind of content they are watching. When several people are watching together, dubbing is the more common choice. According to the survey, this also predominates for family and children’s programmes. Conversely, approximately 4 per cent of users prefer subtitles for children’s content for educational reasons.
Watching children’s content online also contributes to the overall picture. For example, parents often play programmes for very young children on YouTube, where the option to choose between subtitles and dubbing may not always be available. According to the survey, preferences for dubbing and subtitles therefore vary not only according to the type of content, but also according to the device and the situation in which people watch programmes.
Source: mam.cz