Identify the HbbTV route first
These instructions concern an internet-connected HbbTV television or receiver using ARD’s red-button service. Open an ARD channel and use the red button for its launch bar. A mobile Mediathek app and a receiver’s ordinary broadcast-audio menu are other routes. Keep the route clear before looking for a setting described specifically for this interface.
Set the broader preference in the launch bar
ARD puts the persistent choice under the launch bar’s Settings cog, then Audio Channel. Available options can include standard sound, audio description and clear speech. Choose the intended preference there when the aim is receiving audio description on available programmes generally. That preference still depends on the programme having the relevant track; it does not generate narration for every video.
Use the player for one current programme
For a temporary choice, reveal the HbbTV live player controls with Up or OK, open Language at the speech-bubble symbol and choose German audio description. ARD says this applies to the current programme and is generally not retained after a channel change. The equivalent selection on an individual on-demand video also belongs to that video’s playback.
Reverse the change at the scope where it was made
For a persistent preference, return to Audio Channel and choose standard sound. For a single-video selection, change its player language back to the ordinary German track. For example, a guest wanting narration for one programme need not redefine the household’s broader preference. If the result is confusing, note whether the change was made in the launch bar or in the player before testing another channel.
Questions, answered
Should a temporary live-player choice always survive a channel change?
ARD says it generally does not.
Does the broader preference create a missing audio-description track?
No. The programme must supply that presentation.