SWR Launches Daily News Broadcasts in German Sign Language to Enhance Accessibility

Starting June 24, 2026, SWR has expanded its commitment to barrier-free broadcasting by introducing daily news programs in German Sign Language (DGS) and with live subtitles. This initiative focuses on delivering "SWR Aktuell Baden-Württemberg" and "SWR Aktuell Rheinland-Pfalz" news broadcasts in formats accessible to the deaf community, who often consider DGS their first language and for whom subtitles alone are insufficient to grasp complex information.

The new DGS editions are transmitted live from Monday to Saturday at 19:30 and on Sundays at 18:00. Viewers can access these broadcasts through HbbTV and the ARD Mediathek platforms. Previously, SWR had limited DGS offerings to fictional programs and select children's content. By expanding to news programming, SWR emphasizes the importance of accessibility as a cornerstone of its public service mission.

This move aims to foster greater inclusion and ensure that deaf individuals in Baden-Württemberg and Rheinland-Pfalz receive timely and reliable news in a fully accessible format. SWR is dedicated to strengthening its barrier-free services to better serve diverse audiences across its broadcasting regions.