NTN News
Narrative Television Network Begins 25th Season
NTN BEGINS 25th SEASON OF
MAKING MOVIES, TV, AND EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMMING ACCESSIBLE FOR THE BLIND
Tulsa, Oklahoma - January 5, 2012 - It was announced today that the Emmy Award-winning
Narrative Television Network is preparing to launch its 25th season of making movies, television, and
educational programming accessible for our nation's 13 million people
who are blind and visually impaired and
their families.
Founded in 1988, NTN released its first accessible programs that fall and is currently working on
broadcast, cable, DVD, and Internet streaming programming that will be available in late 2012 which
will comprise NTN's 25th year serving its special audience.
Founder and President Jim Stovall said, “This milestone is a tribute to the dedicated professionals
who make our programming possible, along with our broadcast and cable network partners and cooperation
and funding from the U.S. Department of Education.”
The Narrative Television Network has received many industry honors including the Emmy Award, the Media
Access Award from the broadcast television industry, and the Golden Georgi Award which is the top
scriptwriting honor from the Writers Foundation of America.
Eileen Akers from Norwich, Connecticut, said, “NTN makes it possible for me to watch television.
Even when I did have a bit of vision, I was never much of a TV viewer and, after losing my sight completely,
I became even less interested. I never really thought too much about my lack of interest until I sampled your
programming.”
NTN most recently has made first-run movies accessible by including a description option on the menu of DVDs
for movies such as The Ultimate Gift from Fox and The Lamp from Warner Brothers. More major motion pictures
and network television shows are slated for release in their accessible format from NTN during the coming year.
"We help people hear what they can’t see,” said Jim Stovall. “It’s wonderful to have a successful
business and even better when you can help special people who have real needs for accessibility; but when you can
do both at the same time, it’s the best of both worlds.”
Samples of NTN programming, along with listings of accessible movies, television, and educational programming are
available at NarrativeTV.com.
Stovall Named Chairman of DLN
October 3, 2011 – For Immediate Release – It was announced today that
Jim Stovall, Founder and President of the Narrative Television Network, was
named Chairman of the Description Leadership Network (DLN). The
Description Leadership Network is a coalition of world-class organizations
involved with the practicality, policy, and technology of blindness and
video accessibility. Funded by a grant from the U.S. Department of
Education, the DLN will serve in a two-year project.
Stovall said, “As a blind person myself, and as someone who has dedicated
my professional life to video description, being named chairman of the DLN
ranks with receiving the Emmy Award and the Lifetime Achievement Award
from the American Council of the Blind as a high point.”
The Description Leadership Network will advise and oversee the Video
Description Research and Development Center (VDRDC). VDRDC will
investigate innovative technologies and techniques for making online video
more accessible to blind and visually-impaired students and consumers.
Video description is the process of adding narration to the existing sound
tracks of movies, television, educational programming, or any audio/video
material. The descriptive narration generally fits between the dialogue of
the existing programming, helping blind and low-vision people hear what
they can’t see.
“Description is both an art and a science. You have to deliver the essence
of the programming that was intended by the writer or producer while
overcoming any technical barriers that may exist in the rapidly-changing
landscape of video delivery systems,” Stovall stated.
The VDRDC’s two-year project will focus on two specific areas. First, the
development of new technologies and techniques for the annotation of
online video content. Secondly, conducting a vigorous program of outreach
and information dissemination regarding technologies that can improve
access to educational video for students and consumers with visual
disabilities.
For more information, contact Jim Stovall, 918-627-1000.
Jim@NarrativeTV.com.
Warner Brothers Releases The Lamp Movie on DVD with Description from NTN
NTN Completes 500th Described Episode of Law & Order for Turner
NTN Press
NTN has received national and
international publicity, including features in The Wall Street Journal,
TV Guide, Time Magazine, Variety, Woman's Day, and scores of other publications.
NTN has been highlighted on CNN, Good Morning America, and many other national
TV and radio shows.
NTN Receives Major Funding from the US Department of Education
For over 20 years NTN
has worked with the U.S. Department of Education to bring thousands of
hours of high quality educational programming to children who are blind
or visually impaired. With funding from the Department of
Education, NTN has made accessible programs from providers of educational
material such as PBS, National Geographic, Cable in the Classroom,
Annenberg/CPB, and the National Park Service.
FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:
Narrative Television Network
5840 South Memorial Drive
Suite 312
Tulsa, Oklahoma 74145-9082
Toll Free 1-800-801-8184
Phone (918) 627-1000
Fax (918) 627-4101
E-mail: info@narrativetv.com