Professional Subtitling Services

Subtitle Translation Services

At Matinée, we provide professional subtitling and closed captioning services in over 80 languages to make your video content more accessible across a range of content and video formats.

  • Quality-assured foreign language subtitling for all online video content
  • Customise your subtitles in a variety of styles, fonts, colours, and placements
  • Affordable prices and delivered to strict deadlines

Our dedicated project management team will analyse your projects carefully and advise how we can elevate your content and ensure every message lands with impact.

Rates

Prices Start From Just £160

Package 1

£160

Includes:

  • Up to 10 minutes of video
  • Transcription
  • SRT Delivery
Select package

Package 2

£270

Includes:

  • Up to 10 minutes of video
  • Transcription
  • Burned in subtitles
  • One round of amendments
Select package

Package 3

£400

Includes:

  • Up to 10 minutes of video
  • Transcription
  • Translations
  • Burned in subtitles
  • One round of amendments
Select package

Bespoke Package

Custom

Complex or large project? No problem, contact us for a personalised quote.

Contact us
View our rates page

Subtitle Translation in 80+ Languages

Our process

Every subtitling project begins with a fully time-coded transcript: a frame-accurate document that precisely maps the spoken audio to the visual cues on screen.

For foreign language subtitles, we work exclusively with in-country translators we know and trust. Their expertise ensures your subtitles read naturally to native speakers, not just accurately.

Once the subtitles are ready, we’ll send a low-res version for your approval before final delivery. We can provide subtitles as SRT files, translate and replace any on-screen captions, or burn the subtitles directly into your video — whichever works best for you.

Case Study

Bahasa Malaysia Subtitles for Cape Plc

We were selected by British energy company Cape Plc (now part of Altrad) to provide Bahasa Malaysia (Malay) subtitles for a series of 5 promotional videos on the company’s integrity and values.

The videos totalled just under 8 minutes, and the client selected style option 2 for the Malay subtitles. We were also asked to move the subtitle layer whenever captions appeared on-screen, so the subtitles do not obscure them.

After transcribing the English audio and on-screen text, we produced the subtitle translations in Bahasa Malaysia, condensing the Malay translation where necessary to fit in the screen safe area. We then synced and burnt-in the Malay subtitles and delivered the project as an MP4 file.

FAQs for Subtitling Services

In what languages do you offer subtitling & closed captioning services? +

We offer subtitling and closed captioning in over 80 languages, handled by native-speaking linguists who understand the cultural and linguistic nuances that automated tools miss.

The full list includes: Afrikaans, Arabic, Armenian, Bengali, Bosnian, Brazilian Portuguese, Bulgarian, Chinese Simplified, Chinese Traditional, Croatian, Czech, Danish, Dari, Dutch, Estonian, English, Farsi, Filipino, Finnish, Flemish, French, French Canadian, German, Greek, Gujarati, Haitian Creole, Hebrew, Hindi, Hungarian, Icelandic, Indonesian, Italian, Japanese, Kannada, Korean, Kurdish, LA Spanish, Latvian, Lithuanian, Macedonian, Malaysian, Marathi, Mexican Spanish, Moldovan, Nepalese, Norwegian, Pashto, Polish, Portuguese, Punjabi, Romanian, Russian, Sanskrit, Serbian, Slovak, Slovenian, Somali, Spanish, Swahili, Swedish, Tagalog, Taiwanese, Tamil, Telugu, Thai, Tigrinya, Turkish, Ukrainian, Urdu, Vietnamese, Welsh.

Don’t see your language? Get in touch and we may still be able to help.

What are your subtitling and closed captioning rates? +

We offer an extensive range of subtitling and closed captioning services. View our full subtitling rates page for more information.

What’s the difference between subtitles and closed captions, and which do I need? +

They’re often used interchangeably, but there is a distinction. Subtitles are primarily designed for viewers who can hear the audio but don’t understand the language: they translate or transcribe the spoken word. Closed captions are designed for viewers who are deaf or hard of hearing, so they also include non-speech information such as sound effects, music cues, and speaker identification.

If you’re creating content for a general audience in another language, subtitles are usually the right choice. If you’re producing content for accessibility purposes or need to comply with UK or international broadcasting standards, closed captions are what you need. Not sure which applies to your project? We’re happy to advise.

Can you create subtitled videos from my own translations? +

Yes, and we’re happy to work this way. Particularly if you or your client already has approved translations in place. That said, translating for subtitles does require specialist knowledge. Text needs to be condensed and timed to fit the available screen space, at a pace that’s comfortable to read.

To make the process as smooth as possible, we’ll create a time-coded subtitle document template for your translation team to work from, along with clear instructions. Once we receive the completed translations, we’ll check the formatting, sync the subtitles to the video, and deliver in your preferred format.

Can you add subtitles to social media and online video content? +

Yes. We subtitle content for all major platforms including YouTube, LinkedIn, Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, and Vimeo. Each platform has its own subtitle format requirements: for example, YouTube uses .SBV, while most others accept .SRT or .VTT and we’ll make sure your files are delivered in the right format for wherever your content is going.

Adding accurate subtitles to social video also improves searchability and reach, particularly on platforms where video plays silently by default.

What’s the difference between burnt-in subtitles and a separate subtitle file? +

Burnt-in subtitles (also called open captions or hard-coded subtitles) are embedded directly into the video: they’re always visible and can’t be switched off. They’re a good choice for social media, digital advertising, and any platform where you can’t rely on the viewer enabling subtitles manually.

A separate subtitle file (such as an .SRT or .VTT file) sits alongside the video and can be toggled on or off by the viewer. This is the standard approach for broadcast, streaming platforms, and websites where the viewer controls their own experience. We can deliver either or both depending on what your project needs.

Do you offer subtitling for accessibility and compliance purposes? +

Yes. Accessibility is one of the most important reasons our clients come to us, and it’s becoming increasingly regulated. In the UK, Ofcom now requires video-on-demand platforms to provide subtitles, audio description, and signing for deaf and hard-of-hearing viewers. Similar requirements apply across the EU and in many other markets.

We produce subtitles and closed captions that meet broadcast and accessibility standards, and our linguists are experienced in the specific requirements around reading speed, line length, and formatting that professional accessibility work demands. If you’re unsure whether your content needs to comply with specific standards, we can help you work that out before we begin.

How will the subtitles be delivered? +

However works best for you. We can deliver subtitles as a standalone text file, in over 30 subtitle document formats, or burnt directly into your video. We can also deliver subtitles as an alpha channel if you’d prefer to integrate them into your own edit.

The most commonly requested formats include .SRT, .VTT, .STL, .XML, .SCC, and .SBV. But if you need something else, just let us know.

What video formats can you work with? +

We can work with all standard video file formats. The most common ones we receive include .MP4, .MOV, .WMV, .MPG, .AVI, and .WEBM. If you’re unsure whether your format is compatible, send it over and we’ll confirm before the project begins.

What subtitle document formats can you provide? +

We deliver subtitles in over 30 formats. The ones clients most commonly request are .SRT, .VTT, .STL, .SBV, .SCC, .XML, and .TTML. If you need a less common format for broadcast, platform, or software compatibility, let us know and we’ll be happy to look into it.

Can you use my own audio transcript for the subtitles? +

If you already have an audio transcript, it can be a useful reference. Particularly for checking the spelling of names, products, or technical terminology. However, it must be time-coded with the hours:minutes:seconds:frames for both the time that the subtitle is displayed, and the time it turns off.

Example:

00:00:07:00 00:00:08:00 안녕하세요!

00:00:08:00 00:00:14:00 Amway Global 세일즈팀 밸러리 베튼입니다. 여러분께
ARTISTRY 최고신뢰 캠페인을 소개하게되어 기쁩니다.

We would also like to stress that your audio transcript won’t significantly reduce the time or cost involved in subtitle production.

Subtitling requires specialist time-coding software and expertise. Each line needs to be precisely timed to the video, condensed to fit within screen limits, and paced so that viewers can read comfortably. A raw transcript doesn’t include any of that, so our team will still need to work through the video in full.

If you’re confident you can supply a correctly formatted, time-coded subtitle document, let us know at the quoting stage and we can factor that in.

Can you subtitle content that uses AI-generated voice over? +

Yes. We work with content that’s been produced using AI voice over tools, auto-generated transcripts, or a combination of both.

Our linguists review and correct the output, ensure it’s properly formatted and timed, and deliver subtitles that are accurate and ready to use. If you’re using AI tools as a starting point, we can act as the quality layer that makes your content broadcast- or platform-ready.

How accurate are your subtitles? Do you use AI or human linguists? +

Our subtitles are produced and reviewed by human linguists, native speakers with specialist subtitling expertise. We may use AI-assisted tools at certain stages of the workflow to improve efficiency, but every project goes through human review before it leaves us.

Accuracy matters because errors in subtitles affect more than just quality, they affect trust, accessibility, and in some contexts, compliance. We don’t cut corners on the review process.

How quickly can subtitles be turned around? +

This is dependent on video duration, language combination, and whether translation is also required. We’ll always give you a realistic timeline upfront.

For urgent requirements, faster turnaround is possible. Let us know your deadline when you get in touch and we’ll confirm what’s achievable.

How do you handle on-screen text and captions already in the video? +

If your video already has on-screen text or captions sitting in the subtitle area, we’ll work with you to find the best solution, whether that’s repositioning the subtitles, adjusting the on-screen graphics, or both.

We can also translate on-screen text, animated captions, and lower thirds as part of the project. As every video is different, we’d need to review your files before quoting for this work but it’s something we handle regularly.

Who will I be working with at Matinée Multilingual? +

You’ll have a dedicated account and project manager as your main point of contact throughout. They’ll keep you updated at every stage and make sure nothing falls through the cracks — no matter how large or complex your project is.

How do you ensure quality across multilingual projects? +

Every project is assigned a dedicated project manager who oversees it from start to finish. They stay involved in every decision, maintain clear communication between you and our production team, and ensure everything is delivered on time, within budget, and to your exact requirements.

Testimonials

HI NENC Comms profile picture
HI NENC Comms
2 weeks ago
Matinee were extremely professional, with a dedicated account manager to process our translations and follow up to make sure the job was complete. They came back quickly and professionally designed in our specified branding. No ask was too much – would definitely use again.
Tom Hart profile picture
Tom Hart
7 months ago
I used Matinée Multilingual for an important and time sensitive project that was needed for a new business launch.

The team were great at keeping us updated on the progress and everything was delivered on time.

Would definitely recommend!
Lilli Murphy profile picture
Lilli Murphy
7 months ago
Great experience with Matinee, really quick responses and accurate QC-ing. Will be in touch for our next project!
Riccardo Piccinini profile picture
Riccardo Piccinini
10 months ago
Super positive experience working with the team! very professional yet approachable and friendly. We will work with them again in the future for sure! 100% recommended
Tracy Nampala profile picture
Tracy Nampala
11 months ago
We had the pleasure of recording with Matinée linking up from London for an animation project. Everything went brilliantly with our voice actor in the studio, whilst we connected from London. I highly recommend the engineers and professional expertise of Matinée. Great technical session with smooth communication. We hope to work with the studio in the near future.
We’ve had a great experience working with Matinée Multilingual on both AI and human voice projects. The team are super responsive, explain everything clearly, and deliver quality on time. Thank you Callum and team!
Jon Essex profile picture
Jon Essex
1 year ago
Matinée Multilingual recently wrapped up a voice-over recording project in nine languages for a health and safety film intended for engineering sites worldwide. Their service was outstanding, collaborating with us every step of the way to ensure a successful, timely completion within our budget. They kept us well-informed throughout the process and delivered finished audio files promptly in our requested format and numbering. Matinée Multilingual is our trusted partner for foreign language translations and voice-over recordings.

Thanks,
Jon Essex
Managing Director
Squareye Television Limited
Frankie Price profile picture
Frankie Price
2 years ago
We (Westhill Communications) recently worked with Matinee Multilingual on a Portuguese voiceover recording for an animation, and the experience was nothing short of amazing. They came recommended by a colleague, and it’s easy to see why. Even with our modest budget, they went above and beyond to deliver a result that blew us away.
Kayleigh, who managed our project, was an absolute star. She was so friendly and professional, always keeping us in the loop without overwhelming us with too much information. We got regular updates, a great selection of voiceover artists to choose from, and all the key details we needed, it was just the right balance of communication.
The whole process was smooth, easy, and completely stress-free. Honestly, we couldn’t have asked for better service. If you need translations, editing, or voiceover recordings, we’d recommend Matinee in a heartbeat. Huge thanks to Kayleigh and the team for doing such a brilliant job!
Willie McDowell profile picture
Willie McDowell
2 years ago
Really accommodating team. Super professional and very flexible with a scheduling change. 10/10 service and recording
Tamsyn Seimon profile picture
Tamsyn Seimon
2 years ago
Matinée Multilingual has done an outstanding job sourcing voice talent and recording voiceovers for 20 language versions of an animated health education video. I’ve particularly appreciated their persistence in identifying voice actors for some less common languages (Rohingya, Karen, Khmer) that they originally thought they would not be able to deliver. They have been responsive, flexible, patient throughout a long process. And most importantly, Matinée has consistently provided top quality voice recordings. I would not hesitate to work with Matinée again on future projects.
Greg Flynn profile picture
Greg Flynn
2 years ago
Matinée have excellent communication from initial enquiry to project close. They delivered on time after we had changed our requirements and the quality of the narrations we asked for was exceptional in both English and Cymraeg. If we have future audio recording needs we would ask for their services again.
Lucy Hamill profile picture
Lucy Hamill
2 years ago
Worked with Matinee Multilingual for the first time recently and will definitely be using them for any of our translation and VO needs in the future. Callum and Ulrike were incredibly helpful and delivered exactly what we needed with a super fast turnaround! A friendly team with quick & great quality service!!
Daniel Gwynne profile picture
Daniel Gwynne
3 years ago
We’ve been using Matinee Multilingual for a long time now for our International VO services. Prompt, professional and high quality, well sourced voices. Always when we need it.
Karis Jones-Hogg profile picture
Karis Jones-Hogg
3 years ago
Matinee always provides an excellent service and is our go-to company for all our subtitling and translation needs. The team are friendly, efficient and deliver on time. We have never been let down.
Simon Powers profile picture
Simon Powers
3 years ago
Excellent service and very helpful throughout. Great end result for our project.

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Blog and case studies

A subtitling style option is displayed in this image.

A Guide to Burnt-in Subtitle Styles: Which Best Fits Your Content?

When choosing a subtitling style, it is useful to consider where the video will be shown, aesthetic elements already in your video, and the technical requirements of your video. We have long since used the following guide to display the options available to our clients in a straightforward manner, so we thought we would publish it on our blog.
Two women watching a video with subtitles

Subtitling vs. Dubbing: Which works best for your Project?

The film industry is becoming increasingly globalised, and as a result, the subject of whether films should be dubbed or subtitled for audiences in other countries is becoming more and more common. Even though a significant number of people have strong opinions on which approach is better, there isn’t really a universally accepted standard for […]