| The Accessible Channel (TAC) | |
|---|---|
| The Accessible Channel logo | |
| Launched | January 29, 2009 |
| Owned by | Accessible Media (The Accessible Channel, Inc.) |
| Country | Canada |
| Broadcast area | National |
| Headquarters | Toronto, Ontario |
| Sister channel(s) | VoicePrint |
| Website | TACtv |
| Availability | |
| Satellite | |
| Bell TV | Channel 48 |
| Shaw Direct | Channel 888 |
| Cable | |
| Available on most Canadian cable systems | Check local listings, channels may vary |
| IPTV | |
| Bell Aliant TV | Channel 888 |
| Bell Fibe TV | Channel 48 |
| MTS | Channel 888 |
| Optik TV | Channel 55 |
| SaskTel | Channel 554 |
The Accessible Channel (also known as TAC or TACtv) is a Canadian English language digital cable specialty channel owned by Accessible Media. TACtv broadcasts general entertainment programming with an "open" format — using described video as the primary audio track, and providing closed captioning for all programming.
TACtv is licensed by the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) as a must-carry service on the basic package of all digital cable, satellite television, and licensed-IPTV providers in Canada.
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On March 27, 2007, the CRTC held a public hearing to consider twelve applications from applicants who were requesting mandatory distribution for their television services in the basic package of all digital television service providers in Canada. Among those twelve applicants, was the National Broadcast Reading Service (the operators of VoicePrint, a radio reading service, which is also a service with mandatory carriage), who proposed a service known as The Accessible Channel, a 24-hour English-language channel which would be devoted to providing programming of interest to those who are blind or visually impaired, in a format which would be accessible to those individuals — by providing all of its programming with described video. Unlike other broadcasters offering described video, TAC would use the described video feed as the primary audio track, allowing viewers who cannot properly use or access the second audio program to still view programming with described video.[1] Of the twelve applications received, four were ultimately approved by the CRTC — The Accessible Channel would be one of them.[2]
The CRTC's standard conditions of license for digital specialty services at the time imposed a requirement that TAC air 90% of its programming with closed captioning. Nearing the channel's launch, the NBRS announced that to further position the channel as an inclusive channel for those who are visually or hearing impaired, it would provide close captioning for all of its programming as well. The NBRS announced that December 3, 2008, would act as the channel's "soft launch". A gala was held with the objective to raise awareness of TACtv's launch in January 2009. December 3 was the date chosen to coincide with the United Nations´ International Day of Disabled Persons.[1] The channel subsequently launched on January 29, 2009.[3]
The National Broadcast Reading Service would re-brand itself to Accessible Media in 2010.
In February 2009, the CRTC approved a high definition feed for The Accessible Channel.[4]