SBS On Demand's translated subtitles and closed captions serve different needs. Check the programme's CC label for caption availability, then enable the track using the controls for your device. English subtitles already embedded for foreign-language dialogue may behave differently.
Identify the text you need
SBS distinguishes closed captions, which include dialogue and relevant sound or music information, from subtitles that translate dialogue in another language. Its accessibility statement describes forced English subtitles on foreign-language content. These may already appear without you selecting the optional English closed-caption track.
Use that distinction when describing a problem. If you can read translated conversation but need information about other sounds, look for the caption option. If a translation remains visible when you disable CC, identify whether it is part of the programme's forced subtitles. Turning one option off is not evidence that every kind of on-screen text has been disabled.
Check the actual programme's caption availability
Look for the CC indication on the programme information before playback. SBS says main-channel catch-up programmes are captioned, while material from other services in its portfolio can have different availability. Do not assume that one captioned episode proves every title offered through SBS On Demand has an equivalent track.
SBS also notes that recently broadcast news and sport may take up to 24 hours to have captions available. For a newly uploaded bulletin, record when you checked and inspect it again later if that timing applies. This is a specific availability issue; it is different from a caption track that is shown in the player but fails when selected.
Select captions on your current device
On the website, start the video, open the subtitle control at the bottom right and select English (CC). For smart-TV and the listed Android/Google TV, Foxtel, Hubbl and Fire TV interfaces, SBS describes using the right arrow to reach Audio & Subtitles, confirming the menu and choosing English CC.
On the mobile apps, use the subtitle icon and the available English option. SBS's Apple TV instructions also use the subtitle control; on Fetch, it directs viewers to the upper menu and Accessibility. Use the current SBS help entry for your interface when a remote or player has changed. A menu path documented for one family of devices is not a promise of identical buttons on another.
Separate live captions from catch-up captions
SBS's caption-availability help has a specific list of devices supporting live captions, alongside its catch-up guidance. If captions work on a replay but not while watching the channel live, check that live-support list for the exact model or platform. An app's presence alone does not settle support for every live feature.
A useful report identifies the title or channel, whether it was live or on demand, the device and the caption option shown. Include whether you saw translation, selectable CC or no text option at all. Those details keep an accessibility request tied to the feature you need and the programme where it was missing.