Starting in Spring 2013, the new interactive digital platform will provide passengers on VIA Rail trains within the Québec City – Windsor corridor free access to Canadian programming, including CBC/Radio-Canada TV shows programs, documentaries and animation from the NFB, and “Heritage Minutes” vignettes and Memory Project veteran interviews produced by The Historica-Dominion Institute.
VIA Rail’s On-Board Entertainment portal is the only system of its kind on a train in North America. It will present movies and other programming from the NFB and CBC/Radio-Canada collections, in addition to regular daily newscasts from CBC/Radio-Canada. Over time, this interactive digital platform will host other Canadian content from participating organizations.The On-board Entertainment initiative required a total investment of $543,000 by VIA Rail.
“Canadian culture is known for its rich diversity demonstrated by the artistic creativity of its people. Canadians can be proud of the many artisans, authors, actors and producers who create distinctive, original and innovative audiovisual works that honour them on the international stage. VIA Rail Canada is happy to promote them to its passengers,” stated Marc Laliberté, President and Chief Executive Officer of VIA Rail Canada.
“This partnership with VIA Rail is yet another way for us to reach Canadians when, where and how they want,” said CBC/Radio-Canada President and CEO Hubert T. Lacroix.
“Well before Twitter and Facebook, the railroad was the quintessential network bringing Canadians together”, added Tom Perlmutter, Government Film Commissioner and NFB Chairperson.
“We are delighted to be offering the Heritage Minutes collection and other history programming as part of VIA Rail’s new on-board experience,” concluded Anthony Wilson-Smith, President of The Historica-Dominion Institute.
