lowerthird

A lower third (also shown as lower-third or lowerthird) is a graphic overlay placed in the lower area of a television or video image to provide contextual information about on-screen content. Common uses include identifying speakers, showing locations, displaying titles, presenting breaking news, or conveying brief informational or promotional text. In broadcast practice the term is sometimes used interchangeably with chyron or name strap.

Design considerations for lower thirds emphasize legibility and unobtrusiveness: readable typefaces, sufficient contrast against background imagery, limited text length, and appropriate display duration. Many lower thirds incorporate logos, colors, or animations to align with a program's visual identity while avoiding distraction from primary video content. Accessibility concerns, such as font size and color contrast, are increasingly important for diverse viewing conditions.

Technically, lower thirds are produced using character generators, graphics engines, or video-editing software and are delivered as live overlays, rendered elements, or alpha-channel graphics. Broadcasters account for title-safe areas, aspect ratios, and resolution (SD, HD, UHD) when designing and positioning lower thirds. In live streams and virtual productions, templates and dynamic data feeds allow rapid updating of information.

While primarily functional, lower thirds also reflect stylistic trends and broadcasting conventions. Their ubiquity across news, sports, entertainment, and online video makes them a fundamental element of audiovisual storytelling and information delivery.