STAMFORD, Conn. — The 2024 Paris Olympics will be more accessible for viewers than any other Games.
That's because NBCUniversal's coverage of the Olympics will have enhanced closed captioning, expanded audio description and better digital content accessibility.
Closed captioning, which assists viewers who are deaf or hard of hearing, will be available for all Olympic events on NBC's broadcast, cable networks and digital livestreams.
Additionally, more audio description services will be available throughout the duration of the Games.
"That's the cool thing," said Jeff Heck from Lawrence, one of six describers for Paris 2024. "It allows all viewers to share in that excitement and in that history."
In his own words, Heck says audio description is simply detailing the visuals of a live broadcast for people who are blind or visually impaired.
"You just try to describe things," said Heck, "like, what does the equipment look like, what do the athletes look like and what does the venue look like?"
The tricky part, according to Heck, is knowing when to jump into the broadcast and when to stay quiet. Heck and his fellow describers have to make their observations between the broadcasters in the booth.
"I don't want to call the game," said Heck. "That's their job. My job is just to fill in the gaps of here's what they look like, here's the color of their uniform."
For the 2024 Olympics, NBC has dedicated more resources to audio description than ever before. Heck says there will be six describers working inside the NBC Sports Complex in Stamford, Connecticut.
"There's 16 straight days, no breaks, no days off," said Heck. "It's pretty intense. It is a blast though. It's hard work, but it's fun. It's rewarding work."
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Heck, specifically, will work on a 10-hour daily Peacock program called Gold Zone, starting Saturday, July 27.
"It's going to be crazy," said Heck. "We are going to do 25 hours a day of live AD. I know there's only 24 hours a day, but when you stack us up together, we are working at the same time, NBC and Peacock together. It comes up to 25 hours a day. It's incredible."
When it comes to preparing for the job of live audio description, Heck says he studies old Olympic competitions to practice what he might say.
"I've got to be ready to go to 40 different events at any given moment," said Heck. "It's just, 'who's doing what, who is going to score, who's going to win, who's got a gold medal coming up,' or something like that. It's going to be new for me. It's going to be fun."
Heck's primary job is writing audio description scripts for programs like television shows, movies or streaming services. It's something he's worked on for years now, but the Olympics are live, not scripted.
"Live is way different than writing a script," said Heck. "Once it's out, it's out."
The Paris Games will be Heck's first Olympics, but this summer will also be his third time working live audio description for the Paralympic Games.
"The Paralympic athletes are incredible," said Heck. "If you've never watched it, watch. They are some of the best athletes in the world."
According to NBCUniversal, audio description services will be available during all Olympic coverage on NBC and Peacock. The services will also be provided in stereo for the first time, which will enhance the sound quality for viewers.
"NBC is very welcoming with this," said Heck. "They are so, so concerned about inclusiveness and getting everybody to be able to enjoy the Games. So, my hat's off to them."
Heck says there is also an advisory council, comprised of blind and visually impaired viewers, who give feedback on the programs a couple times a year.
"It's an honor to do it, I'll tell you that," said Heck, "but it's been a lot of hard work. I've put in the hours. It's going to be exciting, though. I can't wait."
For Heck, he says it's all about making sure all viewers can be part of the gold-medal moments at the Olympics.
"This will be the largest broadcast event in the history of the world," said Heck, "and to be a part of that? Yeah, that's pretty neat."