What percent of Americans always or often watch shows and movies with the subtitles on?
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34%
About 34% of Americans regularly watch movies or shows with captions on, but hearing impairment accounts for very little of it. Just 13% of subtitle users report hearing trouble, while 55% say they use text simply to catch every word. The habit splits by generation: 40% of adults under 45 leave them on full-time, compared to 28% of older viewers.
34% of Americans watch shows and movies with the subtitles on. Most of them just want to catch every word.
Source: AP-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research · checked Sep 2025