The NFB has signed an airline distribution deal with Skeye Inflight Entertainment, providing its catalogue to airlines operating outside Canada.

‘We are starting with programming that is most airline-friendly — some of our most successful documentaries, Oscar-winning titles, of course, and we are hoping that our animation shorts without words will be very popular with airlines around the world and their clients’, says NFB publicist Pat Dillon.

Airlines can purchase the on-demand viewing from Skeye, which will represents the board.

The deal covers all NFB productions and co-productions. Closer to home, the NFB has a deal with Spafax, the agency that buys for Air Canada.

Skeye offers programming in a variety of genres specifically for airline markets. It has exclusive rights for Sesame Street and How It’s Made and handles other catalogues including Janson Media and Spectra.

‘We are thrilled to explore this new market. The NFB is seen on television, in classrooms and on DVD in over 60 countries worldwide. This new partnership with Skeye will allow us to extend our reach and introduce our rich collection of original programming to an even broader audience’, said Johanne St-Arnauld, director general of distribution for the NFB, in a statement.