Text messages as part of drama plots

I find that on the whole,if I don’t read it,you get to know what the text message said,by what happens next in the drama.

Yes, there are some programmes where no subtitles are available. The last episode of Traitors for example. It’s very annoying. ( I gave up in the end, that silly Linda? was getting on my nerves)

Re bbc iplayer and sub titles we dont have any issues. I wonder why you have an issue? It is many of the other channels who do not subtitle their programmes and it is really annoying with films as the subtitles will definitely be available.

Cambsnan

Does anyone else find them hard to read? My television is a reasonable size but often the plot requires you to read a text message on a characters phone and it is too small and not on screen long enough. Is it just me?

It’s a real pain isn’t it? Having to squint at the tv to see the tiny text.

hulahoop

If we are watching on bbcIplayer we can't get subtitles on most programmes ,and if we stop or rewind we lose subtitles. Does anyone else have this problem.

Nope, that isn't a problem we have.

Me too! I have to pause what I am watching then walk up to my tv and read and I have a large tv.

If we are watching on bbcIplayer we can't get subtitles on most programmes ,and if we stop or rewind we lose subtitles. Does anyone else have this problem.

They are too small to read - and not on the screen long enough to try to read anyway. I agree subtitles would be better.

Oopsadaisy1

No it isn’t easier on a large screen!
We (I) have to pause it then walk over to the Telly to read the texts! Some times when the subtitles are on they will display the text message, but not always.

I sometimes record programmes I'm particularly interested in and watch them later, so I can pause and resume at the exact spot I paused it. But then there are the dismal subtitles which only seem to record in fits & starts on my recorder....

Television and most films take no account of anyone who has not perfect sught.

It is not just text messages that are hard to read. A vast quantity of TV programmes, homepages etc. use pale font colours on white backgrounds which are probmatical too.

jabetheone the subtitles DONT include any messages or writing
No I can’t manage them either

I do other things whilst listening to the TV most of the time so I have text messages in the programme! My husband can never read them.

Exactly what we do 🤓

Agree it is just so annoying. We have subtitles on all the time. My dh sends in complaints to the programmes which get no response either. Another annoying thing is the unnecessary loud background music but the ordinary dialogue is so quiet. Makes us wonder if the production teams ever listen and watch before broadcasting. They need some Gransnet members to watch/comment pre release.

Not the only one then! No pity for the elders these days 🤭

We can’t read them either. We have huge screen and good eyesight. I’m a superfast reader… but we never manage to read them either!

I thought it was just me that found text messages annoying having to pause the programme and walk over to the TV is a nuisance.

It is infuriating!!!????

Oopsadaisy1

No it isn’t easier on a large screen!
We (I) have to pause it then walk over to the Telly to read the texts! Some times when the subtitles are on they will display the text message, but not always.

That's exactly the situation when we are viewing - it would be better to have the text displayed at the bottom of the screen, as is done with translations when a character is speaking in another language. However, leaping up and down is good for the cardiovascular system it seems - perhaps it is designned to keep the nation's telly watchers healthier.

dramas used to manage before the world got texting mad, its as bad as actors mumbling or too loud background music

Glad we are not alone, it is unfuriating, especiallly when it is important to the plot. Also subtitles on a light background, what is the point? Presume editiors do not check their work before releasing?

Does my head in Stopped watching Missing You for this very reason

but you have subtitles on, no?

It’s impossible to read them! Especially when it’s white writing on a pale blue background.

I rewind for 5 seconds then pause to read it.