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Arabic Subtitling & Captioning Services

Arabic Subtitling & Captioning Services

Arabic broadcast-standard subtitling for corporate videos, films, streaming platforms, and e-learning.

See My Price 0800 193 8888

Buying for a firm or public body? See enterprise options

Frame-accurate timecoding, 160-180 WPM reading speeds, cultural adaptation, SDH accessibility compliance. SRT, VTT, STL, PAC formats. Burned-in subtitles and separate track delivery.

What We Translate

Each document type below goes to a translator who knows the field

  • Documentaries and Full-Length Films

    Subtitles for film and documentary: precise timecodes, cultural adaptation, several language tracks and broadcast standards

  • TV Programmes & Series

    Subtitles for TV: consistent from one episode to the next, broadcast compliant, whole series handled

  • Online Video Platforms

    Social media, YouTube and Vimeo: SRT/VTT files, burned-in subtitles and support for many languages

  • E-Learning & Training Videos

    Learning content: easy to read, sensible pacing and accessibility compliance for course materials

  • Corporate Videos & Webinars

    Corporate content: professional subtitles, captions for live events and subtitles on demand

  • Live Events & Streaming

    Live captions: conferences, webinars, live broadcasts and streaming services

Why Work With Us

  • Precise Timecoding

    Frame-accurate synchronisation, proper subtitle timing, on-screen/off-screen cues, reading time optimisation

  • Optimal Readability

    Broadcast-standard reading speed (160-180 words/minute), appropriate line length, clear font rendering

  • Adapting to the Culture

    Content adapted for target audience, idiomatic expressions, cultural references, natural phrasing

  • Broadcast Standards

    Compliance with broadcast guidelines, accessibility standards (SDH), platform-specific requirements

Arabic Subtitling: Why It Requires Specialist Expertise

Arabic subtitling presents technical challenges that do not exist with Latin-script languages. Arabic text reads right-to-left, but numbers, Latin words (brand names, URLs), and technical terms within Arabic subtitles read left-to-right, creating bidirectional text that must be carefully handled to avoid jumbled or reversed displays on screen.

Character limits work differently for Arabic. While English subtitles typically allow 42 characters per line, Arabic connected script means each character has multiple forms (initial, medial, final, isolated) that affect visual width. Arabic subtitles often appear shorter on screen than English despite conveying the same information, because Arabic is a more concise language. However, some phrases expand significantly, making consistent line-length management essential for readability.

At Arabic Translation UK, our Arabic subtitlers understand these technical nuances. They work with professional subtitling software that correctly renders Arabic bidirectional text, and they test subtitle files on the target platform to ensure Arabic displays correctly before delivery. For streaming platforms like Shahid, OSN, and Netflix MENA, we follow platform-specific Arabic subtitle guidelines.

Choosing Between Arabic Subtitles and Arabic Dubbing

The choice between Arabic subtitles and full Arabic dubbing depends on your content type, target audience, and budget:

  • Subtitles preferred for, adult drama, documentaries, corporate videos, e-learning, YouTube content, social media. Arab audiences are accustomed to subtitled Western content and often prefer hearing the original performances.
  • Dubbing preferred for, children's content (where reading skills are limited), some entertainment genres on MBC and other Arab TV networks, and content targeting audiences who prefer spoken Arabic over reading.
  • Both recommended for, streaming platforms targeting the full MENA market, accessibility compliance (SDH subtitles alongside audio), and premium content releases where maximum audience reach is important.

Arabic subtitling costs significantly less than dubbing (typically £8-£15/minute vs £250-£600/finished hour for dubbing), making it the preferred choice for most corporate and online video content. See our Arabic dubbing services for full voice replacement.

Arabic Subtitle Standards for Streaming Platforms

Each major streaming platform has specific technical requirements for Arabic subtitles that must be followed precisely for content acceptance:

  • Netflix, Timed Text Markup Language (TTML) format with specific Arabic font requirements, right-to-left text direction markers, and Netflix's proprietary style guide for Arabic subtitle placement and timing.
  • Amazon Prime Video, SRT or TTML formats with specific encoding requirements for Arabic characters (UTF-8 BOM), and guidelines for subtitle duration and reading speed adapted for Arabic.
  • Shahid (MBC Group), The largest Arabic streaming platform requires MSA subtitles following MBC's in-house Arabic style guide, with specific rules for transliterating foreign names into Arabic.
  • YouTube, SRT or VTT format with UTF-8 encoding. YouTube auto-translates subtitle files, but machine-translated Arabic is unreliable, professional subtitles significantly improve viewer retention and engagement.

We deliver Arabic subtitle files that meet the exact technical specifications of your target platform, eliminating rejection and rework. For broadcast television, we provide STL and PAC formats compliant with UK and international broadcast standards.

Who We Work With

Entertainment & Media

  • Feature films for the cinema
  • Television shows and series
  • Documentary and factual programmes
  • Content for streaming services (Netflix, Amazon Prime)
  • Online video sites

Education and Online Learning

  • Training videos and online courses
  • Tutorials and teaching content
  • Lectures and academic talks
  • Training material that must be accessible

Corporate & Business

  • Business presentations and company videos
  • Webinars and virtual events
  • Promotional and marketing films
  • Training content for staff
  • Captions for live events

For Larger Organisations

Ongoing or high-volume Arabic work, managed by one team on terms that suit your organisation

  • One Named Contact

    A single account manager who knows your files, answers quickly and coordinates every project.

  • Lower Rates at Volume

    Regular and large projects cost less, and translation memory cuts the price of text you have sent us before.

  • Framework Contracts

    Turnaround times, fixed prices and service levels agreed in advance and written into the contract.

  • Data Protection

    ISO 17100 certified, GDPR compliant, NDAs on request and careful handling of sensitive files.

See the Enterprise Service

Prefer to talk? Call the business team on 0800 193 8888

Arabic With 260+ Languages

Pair Arabic with any language below, or ask us about one that is not listed

See every language pair

How It Works

  1. Transcription

    Transcribe the original audio: word-for-word text, speakers named and timestamps added

  2. Translation & Adaptation

    Translate and adapt the text for subtitles: short wording, cultural fit and a natural spoken feel

  3. Timecoding & Synchronisation

    Time subtitles to the picture: accurate to the frame, on-screen/off-screen cues and reading speed tuned

  4. Formatting & Styling

    Format for your platform: SRT, VTT or broadcast formats (STL, PAC), with styling and placement

  5. Quality Assurance

    Check accuracy, timing and readability: language review, technical check and testing on the platform

  6. Delivery

    Send the subtitle files: several formats, burned-in versions and extra language tracks as you request

Client Story

Video Subtitling Projects

We create professional subtitles for corporate videos, films, and streaming content with frame-accurate timing, cultural adaptation, and broadcast-standard formatting in SRT, VTT, and platform-specific formats.

More Client Stories

Your Questions Answered

What clients usually ask before they order

What subtitle formats do you provide?

Available formats are SRT (SubRip, used most widely), VTT (WebVTT, for online video), SSA/ASS (with styling) and the broadcast formats STL and PAC for television. We can also burn subtitles into the picture (MP4 overlay) or produce custom formats for particular platforms. The right format depends on where the video will play: YouTube uses SRT, Netflix asks for its own formats and broadcasters need STL/PAC.

How much does subtitling cost?

We charge for subtitling by the minute of video, usually £8-£15 per minute depending on the language, the complexity and the format needed. For urgent deadlines there is a rush service (+50% surcharge). Live captioning has its own pricing. SDH subtitles (for viewers who are deaf or hard of hearing) may cost extra. See your price now by sending your video details.

Do you subtitle live streams and events?

Yes. We caption and subtitle live conferences, webinars, broadcasts and streamed events. Captioning in real time needs experienced captioners, low-latency technology and the right setup. It is priced apart from subtitling of recorded video, and we need notice in advance to set up for a live event.

Can you produce SDH, the subtitles made for viewers who are deaf or hard of hearing?

Yes. Our SDH subtitles describe sounds too (music, sound effects and who is speaking). They make content accessible to deaf and hard-of-hearing viewers and meet accessibility compliance rules. SDH covers: the dialogue, who is speaking, descriptions of sounds and descriptions of music. It can take longer and cost more.

How fast are your subtitles meant to be read?

We work to broadcast standards of 160-180 words per minute, which reads best. The speed changes with the type of content: fast-moving material can run a little quicker, while teaching content may need to be slower. We keep to line limits, usually 42 characters per line and no more than 2 lines. That gives viewers time to read each subtitle with ease and still follow what is on screen.

How long does subtitling take?

Standard subtitling takes 2-3 business days per hour of footage, based on the language and how complex it is. Rush jobs take 24-48 hours (+50% surcharge). That time covers transcription, translation, timecoding, formatting and a quality check. Each extra language adds time in proportion. Live captioning is set up in advance and delivered in real time.

Can one video have subtitles in several languages?

Yes. We can subtitle one video in several languages. Each language is translated and timecoded on its own, yet timing and style stay consistent from one language to the next. You get the tracks as separate files or in a combined format, and several languages bring a volume discount.

Can you burn subtitles into the video (hardcoded)?

Yes. As well as separate subtitle files, we can burn subtitles into the video (hardcoded). That way they always show, which helps on social media and some other platforms. We can send both: separate SRT or VTT files, which are easy to change, and burned-in video (MP4) for platforms that need the subtitles built in.

What about text that appears on screen?

Yes. For on-screen text (titles, captions, graphics) we either translate and rebuild the text in the picture or cover it with subtitles. Working on on-screen text needs video editing and may cost extra. We agree the approach with you: rebuilt graphics, translated subtitles or a mix of both.

What languages do you offer subtitling in?

Our Arabic subtitling covers 260+ languages, among them English, Spanish, French, Italian, German, Turkish, Dutch and Portuguese. Native linguists translate and adapt each subtitle so it reads naturally and is right for the culture.

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