Netflix introduces a new 'dialogue only' subtitles option (crowd cheers)
Published on: 2025-08-09 00:32:23
Elyse Betters Picaro / ZDNET
Nearly half of all Americans use subtitles when they watch TV, a recent study showed, so Netflix is making them even better.
In a blog post this week, Netflix announced a new subtitle option -- dialogue only.
Also: I discovered Netflix's secret genre codes and my watchlist exploded - how they work
Right now, if you turn on subtitles, you'll see not just words that are spoken, but other audio cues like [cell phone rings] or [dog barks] ([or squelching noises] for Stranger Things fans). You'll also see the names and titles of songs that play.
With the new setting, captions will only display spoken words. No background sounds will appear.
It's a small change, but it's an improvement for the many people who turn on captions to make sure they catch every word over the bustle of kids, dogs, or other family members around them, or people watching with lower volume at night.
Also: The best Netflix VPNs: Expert tested and reviewed
It's not just background no
... Read full article.