A World First: TACtv to Air Television Program in Simulcast, Providing Blindand Low-vision Audiences with Real-time Viewing

Rookie Blue Premieres Thursday, June 24 at 9 p.m. ET/PT

TORONTO, June 21 /CNW/ - The Accessible Channel -TACtv today announced it will broadcast the Canwest-commissioned original drama series Rookie Blue in simulcast with Global Television. This collective effort is a world first: airing a series premiere with the Described Video in real time.

Beginning Thursday, June 24 at 9 p.m. ET/PT, Rookie Blue follows the lives of five inexperienced rookies thrown into the world of big city policing - where even the smallest mistake can have life-or-death consequences. Shot entirely on location in Toronto, the series features a diverse lineup of Canadian actors including Missy Peregrym (Reaper, Heroes), Gregory Smith (Everwood), Charlotte Sullivan (M.V.P.), Enuka Okuma (24) and Travis Milne (My Green House). Rookie Blue examines the trials and triumphs, competition and camaraderie of this rookie family who are about to learn that no amount of training can prepare them for this job - or for life.

"This is a tremendous step forward in creating a television experience that includes everyone," said David Errington, President and CEO of Accessible Media Inc. "When we launched TACtv almost two years ago, we aimed to make Described Video available on current programming in simulcast, making the program truly available to all. We sincerely thank Canwest for their help in making this happen and for their support in making media accessible."

"Described Video is an essential television service and we're proud of our partnership with TACtv to make our programming accessible to all Canadians," said Phil Piazza, Vice-President, Content Acquisitions, Canwest Broadcasting.  "Rookie Blue is one of the summer's hottest new programs and we're excited to provide this opportunity to TACtv viewers." 

Accessible Media Inc.'s two media broadcast services - TACtv and VoicePrint - are leaders in breaking barriers to news, information and entertainment. We serve the more than 5 million Canadians who can't independently access media because they are blind, with low vision, print-restricted; deaf or hearing-impaired; learning disabled; mobility impaired; in need of literacy skills; learning English as a Second Language (ESL).

VoicePrint: Canada's 24/7 audio newsstand, delivers full-text audio versions of 600 current newspapers and magazine articles to our growing audience, all read and recorded by our 800 dedicated Volunteer readers and broadcasters across Canada.

The Accessible Channel-TACtv: Is a national, English-language, digital-TV specialty service that, 24/7, broadcasts popular programs and movies in both Described Video and Closed Captioned formats. TACtv - Television That Includes Everyone!

For further information:

Accessible Media Inc.:
Lauren Kerhoulas
Marketing Coordinator
[phone]
[email protected]

Global Television:
Sónia Brum, Publicist
Global Television
[phone]
[email protected]