Media Advisory - AMI-tv to make CBC's Scotiabank Hockey Day in Canada accessible to blind and partially sighted Canadians through Live Described simulcast
TORONTO, Feb. 10, 2012 /CNW/ - Today Accessible Media Inc. (AMI) announced that tomorrow its AMI-tv service will join with CBC in a broadcast first: simulcasting Scotiabank Hockey Day in Canada from P.E.I. with Live Description so Canadians who are blind or partially sighted can get in on all the action and more fully enjoy the festivities associated with the highly popular event.
"Our job is to make all media accessible to all Canadians, and broadcasting the 12th annual Scotiabank Hockey Day in Canada with our skilled team of Described Video experts is a terrific example of how we do that," stated David Errington, President and CEO of Accessible Media Inc.-AMI.
"We invite all Canadians to tune in to AMI-tv throughout the day to hear for themselves how Live Description can enhance the viewing experience for our prime audience, who rely on AMI to bring them the big TV events everybody is watching. I'd also like to thank CBC for once again making their live productions available to us so together we can make TV accessible," continues Errington.
"We're very pleased to extend our partnership with AMI, we look forward to even more successful Live Described simulcasts as we've had with the Royal Wedding, the Federal election results, Canada Day on Parliament Hill and Battle of the Blades to name a few," says Kirstine Stewart, executive vice president, CBC English services.
"As the national public broadcaster it's a top priority that our programs reach as many Canadians as possible -- starting with our broadcast of Hockey Day In Canada, this ambitious agreement will give blind and low-vision people a better sense of all the action happening on and off the ice as we celebrate one of Canada's national passions."
With Described Video a narrator describes what can't be seen so the blind or partially sighted viewer can follow the program. But it's done in such a way that everyone can enjoy the program. It really is television that includes everyone.
About Accessible Media Inc.
Accessible Media Inc. (AMI) is a not-for-profit multimedia organization operating two broadcast services, AMI-tv (formerly The Accessible Channel-TACtv) and VoicePrint (soon to be known as AMI-audio), and a companion website, AMI-online (www.AMI.ca). AMI serves more than five million Canadians who are blind or partially sighted, deaf or hard of hearing, learning disabled, mobility or print restricted, or learning English as a second language by making print, broadcast and online media accessible.
About CBC/Radio-Canada
CBC/Radio-Canada is Canada's national public broadcaster and one of its largest cultural institutions. The Corporation is a leader in reaching Canadians on new platforms and delivers a comprehensive range of radio, television, Internet, and satellite-based services. Deeply rooted in the regions, CBC/Radio-Canada is the only domestic broadcaster to offer diverse regional and cultural perspectives in English, French and eight Aboriginal languages, plus seven languages for international audiences.
Andrea Ramos, Public Relations Coordinator
800-567-6755 ext. 0977, [email protected]
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