Everything about Children’s Programming, eh?

Link: 15 kids’ shows you didn’t know had ties to Canada

From Robin Levinson King of the Toronto Star:

15 kids’ shows you didn’t know had ties to Canada
Whether you grew up in Canada or somewhere else in the world, these 15 children’s shows should ring a bell.

1. Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood
It’s a little known fact that Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood debuted as Mister Rogers on CBC in 1963. The show ran for three years in Canada before host Fred Rogers bought the rights and moved it to Pittsburgh.

But Rogers’ understudy Ernie Coombs would remain, and start his own television show with the CBC as a kind of Canadian spinoff: Mr. Dressup. Continue reading.

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Link: Cole, Esposito bring CBC holiday ‘toon Clara to life

From Bill Brioux of Brioux.TV:

Cole, Esposito bring CBC holiday ‘toon Clara to life
Oh Baby! Who better to do the voice of the play-by-play announcer on CBC’s new animated holiday special than Bob Cole?

Cole, along with Phil Esposito, can be heard on “The Curse of Clara: A Holiday Tale” a new, animated Christmas special premiering Monday, Dec. 14 on CBC. The story follows a young girl’s struggles to get picked for a National Ballet School performance of The Nutcracker against the background of the epic Canada-USSR summit hockey series played in September of 1972. Continue reading.

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Link: Family Channel’s ‘Next Step’ is teen music drama Lost & Found

From Bill Brioux of the Canadian Press:

Family Channel’s ‘Next Step’ is teen music drama Lost & Found
What’s the next step after The Next Step? For a group of Toronto producers in the tricky business of reaching TV’s toughest audience — “tweens” — it’s Lost & Found.

Family Channel and Temple Street Productions had an instant hit on their hands when The Next Step premiered to a hefty — in specialty terms — 574,000 viewers in 2013. The series was a cross between Fame and So You Think You Can Dance, and made stars out of young Canadian performers such as Brittany Raymond and Trevor Tordjman. The series is set to launch a fourth season. Continue reading.

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Link: Hockey and ballet team up as Phil Esposito lends his voice to ‘The Curse of Clara’

From Bill Harris of Postmedia Network:

Hockey and ballet team up as Phil Esposito lends his voice to ‘The Curse of Clara’
The cartoon version of Phil Esposito wears his skates all the time. Like, all the time, on or off the ice.

“I don’t think that was safe at all,” the hockey legend said with a chuckle. “But it was fun, I can tell you that.”

Esposito provides the voice for a cartoon version of himself – or, more specifically, the Team Canada ’72 version of himself – in the new animated Christmas special The Curse of Clara: A Holiday Tale, which debuts Monday, Dec. 14 on CBC. Continue reading.

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Lost & Found Music Studios debuts Jan. 8 on Family

This winter, Family Channel raises its voice with the premiere of Lost & Found Music Studios, an all-new original series from Temple Street Productions and creator Frank van Keeken, the forces behind The Next Step. Debuting Friday, January 8 at 6 p.m. ET/PT, the pitch perfect drama follows a group of aspiring musicians who are part of a unique music program, run by a musician-turned-producer. From pop to rock and hip-hop to R&B, the series showcases some of the best young voices Canada has to offer with original songs and stellar performances featured in each episode. For music aficionados who want to get in the studio earlier, Family’s got a special presentation of the series this Friday, December 11 at 7:30 p.m. ET/PT, immediately following the epic season three finale of The Next Step beginning at 7 p.m. ET/PT.

A live music venue, recording studio and jam space, Lost & Found is an amazing place where young musicians go to become great. Members immerse themselves in music, write songs record tracks and form bands in hopes of turning their passion into a profession. But, if making it in the music industry wasn’t hard enough, these aspiring artists also have to deal with the many issues teens face including first crushes, peer pressure, difficult home lives and trying to fit in. Following the series premiere, new episodes of Lost & Found Music Studios will air regularly Fridays at 6 p.m. ET/PT. Episodes will also be offered on Family OnDemand as they become available weekly beginning January 9.

On Friday, December 11, Family gets into the holiday spirit, gifting viewers with a special presentation of Lost & Found Music Studios at 7:30 p.m. ET/PT. In the series preview, titled “Lost and Found,” the musicians prepare a goodbye party for graduates of the studio. Audiences are introduced to overachiever Leia, who hopes to write and perform a song with her crush, Luke; band member John, who’s having a hard time expressing his feelings for dancer, Michelle; and talented but shy singer-songwriter Eva, who is eager to break out of her shell. The exciting episode is ushered in by the season three finale of The Next Step at 7 p.m. ET/PT which sees the A-Troupe dancers lay it all on the line as they compete for the title of “International Champions.”

Lost & Found Music Studios stars include Shane Harte as Luke; Keara Graves as Leia; Alex Zaichkowski as John; Sarah Carmosino as Rachel; Deshaun Clarke as Jude; Ella Jonas Farlinger as Eva; Levi Randall as Theo; Maranda Thomas as Mary; Alyssa Baker as Maggie; Rakim Kelly as Isaac; Olivia Solo as Annabelle; Jeni Ross as Clara; Katrina Hachey as Hannah; and Matthew Bacik as Nate. Michael Torontow and Ali Milner play Mr. T and Parker who oversee the music program. A companion to The Next Step, the series also features familiar faces from the popular dance drama including Trevor Tordjman as James; Victoria Baldesarra as Michelle; Jordan Clark as Giselle; and Brittany Raymond as Riley. Fans of both series can see select cast members perform live in venues across the country this winter, as they embark on the international The Next Step Wild Rhythm Tour. Tickets are currently available at Family.ca.

Lost & Found Music Studios is produced by Temple Street Productions in association with Family Channel and is executive produced by creator Frank van Keeken (The Next Step, Wingin’ It), Ivan Schneeberg and David Fortier (The Next Step, Orphan Black) and Laura Harbin (The Next Step, Wingin’ It). Temple Street controls the distribution rights internationally, and has secured deals with CBBC and Netflix. Lost & Found Music Studios is also produced with the financial assistance from The Shaw Rocket Fund and the Canada Media Fund.

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