Image via flickr / Bobolink
Via Rail trips on the Quebec City-Windsor corridor are about to get broadcast friendly with the launch of a new on-board entertainment “portal” that allows customers to access news, movies and shows from the CBC/Radio-Canada and National Film Board as well as new heritage minutes created by the Historica-Dominion Institute. (you can buy all your old favourites from their website). The new programming will be offered in both French and English. Up until now, passengers on Via have had access to Wi-Fi, but were restricted from using video streaming sites, including YouTube. With the new service passengers will still have to view the media on their own laptops and mobile devices. Access to video programming outside of the on-board portal will remain restricted due to the limitations of Via’s infrastructure.
In a press conference yesterday, Via Rail spokesperson Jacques Gagnon explained the thought process behind the new on-board offering. “We’re celebrating Canadian culture, experience, [and] savoir-faire with on board, entertainment.” He went on to point out that “everything aboard [Via Rail] trains — the wine, the meals — is Canadian. The content is Canadian. So it’s by Canadians, for Canadians.” The new service will roll out this spring.
[via Vancounver Sun]
Take a minute for some Canadian Railway Heritage:
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Eva Voinigescu is an intern at Toronto Standard. Follow her on Twitter @EvaVoinigescu.
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