Swedish subtitles
Subtitles work differently on live TV and in the VOD library, and that is the most common source of confusion. This guide covers both, how to turn subtitles on in your app, and what to do when they aren't there.
How it works, briefly
uPlay does not add subtitles afterwards. Subtitles travel with the stream we receive — from the TV channel or from the film itself. If they exist in the source you can select them; if they don't, they cannot be switched on.
That means availability varies between titles and channels. Swedish channels almost always carry Swedish subtitles, while international titles often do not.
Live TV
Swedish channels broadcast with their own subtitles, exactly as they do on terrestrial TV. On SVT, TV4 and the other Swedish channels you'll find them where you normally choose subtitles.
How to turn them on:
- Start the channel
- Open the playback menu — usually by pressing OK or down on the remote
- Choose Subtitles
- Select the Swedish track
Some apps remember your choice for next time, others need setting per channel. In TiviMate you can set a preferred subtitle language in the settings, so you don't have to choose every time.
Tips
No subtitle menu on a Swedish channel? Try the same channel in another category. The RAW variant and the re-encoded variant may carry different tracks. See our guide to RAW vs HD/4K.
VOD — movies and series
In the VOD library subtitles are selected the same way, but in the player itself. Two things are worth knowing:
Subtitles live inside the title. If the film has a Swedish text track you can select it. If it doesn't, there is nothing to switch on.
Titles are often marked in the name. Films and series with Nordic tracks are usually marked SE, SWE or Nordic in the title, or collected in categories with Nordic or Svensk film in the name.
How to turn them on:
- Start the film or episode
- Open the playback menu
- Choose Subtitles
- Select the Swedish track if one exists
Finding content with Swedish subtitles
- Search for SWE or SE in the VOD search
- Browse categories containing Nordic or Svensk
- Swedish and Nordic productions almost always carry Swedish subtitles
- New international titles often get Nordic tracks some time after release
Frequently asked questions
Why do some films have no Swedish subtitles?
Subtitles follow the source. If there is no Swedish track in the stream we receive, there is nothing to select. This applies particularly to newer international titles and content never distributed in the Nordics.
Can I add my own subtitle file?
Some apps support external subtitle files in SRT format, including TiviMate on Android. The feature is not available in every app and is not supported on every device. See our TiviMate guide.
The subtitles are out of sync — what do I do?
Most players have a synchronisation setting in the playback menu where you can shift subtitles forwards or backwards in steps. If they are still wrong after adjusting, the fault is in the source.
Can I set Swedish as the default?
In TiviMate and UHF you can choose a preferred subtitle language in the settings. The app then selects the Swedish track automatically whenever one exists.
Subtitles disappear when I change channel
That is normal in apps that don't save the choice per channel. Set a default language in the settings instead of selecting manually each time.
The same title appears several times – which one has Swedish subtitles?
The same film or series can exist in several versions, a Nordic one with Swedish subtitles and one without. Pick the version marked SE, SWE or Nordic.
Can you add Swedish audio or Swedish commentary?
No. The audio language follows the source, just like the subtitles. If you want Swedish commentary on sport, pick the broadcast from the Swedish service in an SE category – the same event in a British or American category has their commentators. If a film has Swedish audio, you choose it in the player's audio menu.
Are subtitles for the hard of hearing and spoken subtitles available?
When the channel broadcasts them, yes. Swedish channels often carry several text tracks — pick the one that suits you in the subtitle menu.
If you can't find what you're looking for
If a title is missing Swedish subtitles that you're sure used to be there, write the exact title in the chat on My uPlay and we'll report it.
Summary
- Subtitles come from the source — uPlay does not add them afterwards
- Swedish channels almost always carry Swedish subtitles
- In VOD they are selected in the player, if the title has a Swedish track
- Look for SE, SWE or Nordic in the title
- Set a preferred subtitle language in your app so you don't have to choose every time