Subtitle Translation Services in London
Subtitle translation services in London deliver SRT, VTT, and burned-in subtitles in 200+ languages, ISO 17100 certified, same-day, from £30 per page.
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What are subtitle translation services in London?
Subtitle translation services London convert spoken dialogue and on-screen text from a source video into timed, translated subtitles in 200+ languages, delivered as SRT, VTT, or burned-in files under ISO 17100 quality control from £30 per page.
How much do subtitle translation services cost in London?
Subtitle translation in London starts from £30 per page for template-based scripts and is quoted per source minute for full video projects, with pricing driven by language pair, runtime, source material quality, and whether SDH or burned-in output is required.
How fast can subtitles be translated and delivered in London?
Subtitle translations are delivered same-day for civil-style scripts under 1,000 words ordered in London before 11:00 GMT, within 24 to 48 hours for legal and academic video packs, and on agreed milestones for feature-length or technical projects above 10,000 words, all under ISO 17100 quality control.
Which subtitle file formats and languages are supported?
Supported subtitle formats include SRT, VTT, SBV, STL, TTML, DFXP, ASS/SSA, and burned-in MP4, delivered in 200+ languages including Spanish, Arabic, Mandarin, French, German, Italian, Korean, Bulgarian, and British Sign Language annotated SDH.
What types of video content are subtitled?
6 content types are regularly subtitled: corporate and training videos, e-learning courses, film and television, marketing and social-media clips, legal and evidentiary recordings, and medical or scientific footage, each with its own terminology and compliance profile.
What is the subtitle translation workflow under ISO 17100?
The ISO 17100 subtitle workflow runs in 6 steps: source-file intake, transcription, spotting and time-coding, translation by a native linguist, revision by a second linguist, and final technical QC against the target platform’s specifications.
Professional language services in London and across the UK combine document, audio, and video localisation under one ISO 17100 workflow, priced in GBP with a same-day 11:00 GMT cut-off for short jobs and predictable per-page and per-minute rates for longer ones.
What are subtitle translation services in London?
Subtitle translation services in London convert spoken dialogue and on-screen text from a source video into timed, translated subtitles in 200+ languages, delivered as SRT, VTT, or burned-in files under ISO 17100 quality control from £30 per page. The service reconciles two clocks: a per-minute media clock covering spotting, translation, and QC, and the same 11:00 GMT London same-day cut-off applied to short document jobs.
The core deliverables cover 4 layers:
- Interlingual subtitles — English↔Spanish, Arabic, Mandarin, French, and 196 further languages.
- SDH (Subtitles for the Deaf and Hard-of-hearing) — with speaker labels, sound effects, and music cues.
- Burned-in (open) subtitles — MP4 or MOV output for social media, events, and public displays.
- Template SRT translation — line-by-line target-language translation over existing time-codes, reducing cost by up to 40%.
What is included in a subtitle translation project?
A subtitle translation project includes 4 stages: transcription of the source audio, spotting (time-coding), translation and cultural adaptation, and quality-control review against ISO 17100. Each stage is performed by qualified linguists and subtitle technicians, not machine post-editors.
- Transcription of the source dialogue and on-screen text.
- Spotting — segmenting cues to 1–7 second durations with 2-frame gaps.
- Translation by a native speaker of the target language.
- Revision and technical QC by a second linguist under ISO 17100 clause 5.3.
How do subtitles differ from captions and dubbing?
Subtitles translate spoken dialogue for hearing viewers in another language, captions transcribe audio in the same language for deaf and hard-of-hearing viewers, and dubbing replaces the original voice track with re-recorded audio. The three deliverables share a source video but serve distinct audiences and regulatory obligations.
| Deliverable | Language mode | Primary audience | Typical use case |
|---|---|---|---|
| Subtitles | Interlingual (translated) | Hearing viewers in another language | Films, e-learning, corporate video |
| Captions / CC | Intralingual (same language) | Deaf and hard-of-hearing viewers | UK broadcast, streaming accessibility |
| SDH | Interlingual + accessibility cues | Deaf and hard-of-hearing viewers in another language | Netflix, Amazon Prime, Disney+ |
| Dubbing | Replaced voice track | Viewers preferring native audio | Feature film, animation, ads |
Pricing
How much do subtitle translation services cost in London?
Subtitle translation in London starts from £30 per page for template-based scripts and is quoted per source minute for full video projects, with pricing driven by language pair, runtime, source material quality, and whether SDH or burned-in output is required. Per-minute quoting is the industry norm for entertainment and video content, while per-page pricing applies to script-based work.
| Project type | Rate model | Indicative price (GBP) | Turnaround |
|---|---|---|---|
| Template SRT translation (existing time-codes) | Per page / per minute | From £30/page or £5–£9/min | Same-day <1,000 words |
| Full transcription + translation + spotting | Per source minute | £9–£16/min standard pairs | 1–3 working days per 10 min |
| SDH interlingual (Ofcom / streaming spec) | Per source minute | £12–£24/min | 3–5 working days per 30 min |
| Burned-in MP4/MOV rendering | Flat add-on | +£15–£40 per file | +24 hours after subtitle sign-off |
| Certified subtitle statement of accuracy | Flat add-on | +£25 per project | Same day on approved subtitles |
What drives the price of subtitle translation?
5 factors drive subtitle translation pricing: source language, target language, video runtime in minutes, audio clarity, and output format (SRT, VTT, burned-in, or SDH). Language rarity and right-to-left scripts such as Arabic and Hebrew add 15–30% to the per-minute rate.
- Language pair — Spanish, French, and German sit at the lower band; Korean, Arabic, and Bulgarian sit higher.
- Runtime — billed per source minute of finished video.
- Audio clarity — noisy or multi-speaker audio increases the transcription time.
- Output format — burned-in MP4 and SDH cost more than plain SRT.
- Template availability — an existing SRT reduces cost by up to 40%.
Is there a minimum charge for short videos?
Short videos under 1,000 source words are billed at the £30 per page minimum, with same-day delivery for orders placed in London before 11:00 GMT. The minimum covers project setup, spotting, translation, and ISO 17100 revision, aligned with the same-day cut-off used for our Document Translation Services in London and the UK.
How fast can subtitles be translated and delivered in London?
Subtitle translations are delivered same-day for scripts under 1,000 words ordered in London before 11:00 GMT, within 24 to 48 hours for legal and academic video packs, and on agreed milestones for feature-length or technical projects above 10,000 words, all under ISO 17100 quality control.
| Content size | Delivery window | Cut-off |
|---|---|---|
| Under 1,000 words / ~10 min video | Same day | Order before 11:00 GMT |
| 1,000–5,000 words / 10–30 min video | 24–48 hours | Rolling |
| 30–90 min feature | 5–7 working days | Milestone-based |
| Above 10,000 words / multi-episode | Weekly milestones | Agreed at kick-off |
What is the same-day London cut-off?
Orders placed before 11:00 GMT with a clear source file qualify for same-day delivery, provided the runtime is under approximately 10 minutes or the script is under 1,000 words. Files received after 11:00 GMT enter the next-day production queue and are returned before 17:00 GMT the following business day.
How long does a feature-length subtitle translation take?
A 90-minute feature takes 5 to 7 working days per language pair, covering transcription, spotting, translation, review, and final QC against ISO 17100. Rush delivery of 48–72 hours is available on the same feature at a 25–50% premium, subject to linguist availability.
Languages
Which subtitle file formats and languages are supported?
Supported subtitle formats include SRT, VTT, SBV, EBU-STL, TTML, DFXP, ASS/SSA, and burned-in MP4, delivered in 200+ languages including Spanish, Arabic, Mandarin, French, German, Italian, Korean, Bulgarian, Portuguese, Polish, and British Sign Language annotated SDH. SRT remains the universal delivery format; TTML and EBU-STL cover streaming and broadcast workflows.
- English ↔ Spanish (Spain and Latin America)
- English ↔ Arabic (MSA and Gulf)
- English ↔ French (France and Canada)
- English ↔ Mandarin (Simplified and Traditional)
- English ↔ Italian
- English ↔ Korean
- English ↔ Portuguese (Brazil and Portugal)
- English ↔ Polish
- English ↔ German
- English ↔ Bulgarian
What types of video content are subtitled?
6 content types are regularly subtitled: corporate and training videos, e-learning courses, film and television, marketing and social-media clips, legal and evidentiary recordings, and medical or scientific footage, each with its own terminology and compliance profile.
How is corporate and e-learning subtitling handled?
Corporate and e-learning subtitles are localised for tone, glossary, and cultural references, exported as SRT or VTT for LMS platforms such as Moodle, Canvas, and SCORM-compliant players. Terminology memory is built from the first module and reused across the course to keep learner-facing terms consistent.
- Onboarding and compliance training modules
- Product-demo and internal comms videos
- SCORM- and xAPI-packaged courses
- Webinar recordings for multi-region audiences
How is film, TV, and streaming subtitling handled?
Film and TV subtitles follow reading-speed rules of 15 to 17 characters per second, maximum 2 lines of 42 characters, aligned to BBC Subtitle Guidelines and Netflix Timed Text Style Guide specifications. Cue duration sits between 1 and 7 seconds, with 2-frame gaps and shot-change compliance verified in QC.
How is legal and evidentiary video subtitled?
Legal and evidentiary videos receive certified subtitle translations with a signed statement of accuracy accepted by UK courts, the Home Office, and the Ministry of Justice. The certificate is issued by a translator registered with the Chartered Institute of Linguists (CIOL) or the Institute of Translation and Interpreting (ITI), aligned with our Legal Translation Services and Online Certified Translation Services in the UK.
How it works
What is the subtitle translation workflow under ISO 17100?
1
Who performs the translation and revision?
Translation is performed by a native speaker of the target language with subject-matter experience, and revision is performed by a second qualified linguist, as required by ISO 17100 clause 5.3. Both linguists hold membership in a recognised body such as CIOL or ITI where certified output is required.
2
What quality checks apply to timing and readability?
Timing checks verify reading speed, minimum 1-second and maximum 7-second cue duration, 2-frame gaps between cues, and shot-change compliance against BBC and Netflix guidelines. English intralingual SDH targets a display rate of 160–180 words per minute; interlingual subtitles target 140–150 words per minute.
| Parameter | Specification |
|---|---|
| Reading speed | 15–17 characters per second |
| Line length | Maximum 42 characters per line |
| Lines per cue | Maximum 2 |
| Cue duration | 1–7 seconds |
| Inter-cue gap | Minimum 2 frames |
| Shot-change rule | Cues aligned to shot boundaries where possible |
Are your subtitle translations accepted by UK broadcasters and regulators?
Subtitle translations delivered under ISO 17100 are accepted by UK broadcasters and regulators including the BBC, ITV, Channel 4, Sky, Ofcom, the Home Office, and streaming platforms such as Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, and Disney+. Deliverables meet the BBC Subtitle Guidelines, the Netflix Timed Text Style Guide, Ofcom’s Code on Television Access Services, and the accessibility duties set by the Equality Act 2010.
- UK broadcast — Ofcom-licensed channels under the Communications Act 2003 and Media Act 2024, with 80% catalogue subtitling targets for streaming platforms.
- Public sector — Home Office and Ministry of Justice evidentiary video.
- Streaming — Netflix TTML delivery aligned with the platform’s mandatory style guide.
- Higher education — Equality Act 2010 accessibility for lecture capture and MOOC content.
What is SDH and when is it required?
SDH (Subtitles for the Deaf and Hard-of-hearing) includes speaker labels, sound effects, and music cues, and is required by Ofcom for licensed UK broadcast content and by streaming platforms for accessibility compliance under the Equality Act 2010. SDH is delivered in the same TTML, EBU-STL, or SRT wrapper as standard subtitles, with additional descriptive tags.
How do you request a subtitle translation quote in London?
A subtitle translation quote is requested by uploading the source video or script, specifying source and target languages, output format, and delivery deadline, with a confirmed price returned within 30 minutes during London business hours. Orders confirmed before 11:00 GMT enter the same-day production queue, making it possible to receive finished subtitles the same working day for projects under 1,000 words. For larger projects exceeding 10,000 words, production is structured around agreed milestones so you retain full visibility at every stage. Pricing starts from £30 per page for template-based subtitle work, and the final fixed price is confirmed before any production begins — so there are no surprises on delivery.
- Upload the source video, script, or existing SRT template.
- Specify source and target languages from our range of 200+ supported languages, including Spanish, Arabic, Mandarin, French, German, Italian, Korean, Bulgarian, Portuguese, and Polish.
- Choose output format: SRT, VTT, SBV, TTML, EBU-STL, DFXP, ASS/SSA, or burned-in MP4/MOV.
- Confirm deadline and any platform-specific requirements, such as a 42-character-per-line limit and 17 characters-per-second reading speed for streaming delivery, or UK broadcast timing and positioning standards.
- Receive a fixed-price quote within 30 minutes and confirm to start production under our ISO 17100 two-linguist translate-and-revise workflow.
Which files are required with a subtitle translation quote request?
Send the source video file or a shareable link, any existing transcript or template SRT, a style guide or glossary if available, and target-platform specifications covering reading speed, line length, and cue duration requirements. Our subtitle production standard enforces a maximum of 42 characters per line, two lines per cue, and a reading speed of 15–17 characters per second — figures that govern whether subtitles are comfortable and compliant for broadcast, streaming, or theatrical use. Providing an existing template SRT reduces cost by up to 40% and shortens turnaround, since transcription and spotting are already complete. If your content is destined for an Ofcom-licensed broadcast channel or a major streaming platform, noting that upfront allows our team to apply the correct technical specification from the first draft rather than revising at a later stage.