Media Advisory - AMI-tv to make glitz, glamour and excitement of 32nd annual Genie Awards accessible to blind and partially sighted Canadians through Live Described simulcast in partnership with CBC
TORONTO, March 7, 2012 /CNW/ - Accessible Media Inc. (AMI) today announced that on Thursday, March 8 at 8 p.m. Eastern its AMI-tv service will join with CBC for a broadcast first: a simulcast of the 32nd annual Genie Awards with Live Description so Canadians who are blind or partially sighted can enjoy the celebrations honouring the best in Canadian movies.
"AMI is a global pioneer in making movies accessible through Described Video (DV). In fact, we've been doing quality DV for almost 20 years and now, as we continue to expand our offerings on AMI-tv and break new ground in doing so, it simply made sense that we also make Canada's national movie-awards presentation accessible," stated David Errington, President and CEO of Accessible Media Inc.-AMI.
"Award programs like the Genies are popular TV events. Viewers love the spectacle and tune in to find out about the gorgeous sets, what co-hosts Andrea Martin and George Stroumboulopoulos and other stars will be wearing, and enjoy the film segments - all visual treats that, until now, blind and partially sighted Canadians have had limited access to," continued Errington.
The Genies will be the second Canadian awards show that AMI and CBC have worked together on to ensure that the broadcast is accessible to Canadians with vision restrictions; the first was last fall, with the Gemini Awards, honouring the best in Canadian TV. In addition, AMI has also partnered with the CBC to bring blind and partially sighted Canadians Described Live broadcasts of the Royal Wedding, the Federal Election results, Canada Day on Parliament Hill, Battle of the Blades and several others.
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 show or movie. 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 TACtv) and VoicePrint (formerly AMI-audio), and a companion website, 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.
Andrea Ramos, Public Relations Coordinator
800-567-6755 ext. 0977, [email protected]
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