Tag Archives: TVOKids

Children's Programming, Featured

The new TVOKids original series Trading Skills introduces the skilled trades to Gen Alpha

From a media release:

Did you know that Canada is experiencing a growing labor shortage? In 2022, the Canadian federal government predicted that around 700,000 of the country’s skilled trade workers would retire by 2028, leaving important vacancies to fill*. The new live-action TVOkids Original series Trading Skills (13 x 11′) gives kids a sneak peek into the vibrant and rewarding world of skilled trade jobs that viewers could consider for their own future – and potentially very lucrative – careers. Stream Trading Skills across Canada starting Tues., Oct. 15 at 11 a.m. ET on TVOkids Digital platforms including TVOkids.com, TVOkids YouTube channel and Smart TV services. The series has its broadcast premiere on Tues., Oct. 15 at 4:05 p.m. ET on TVO.

From their special workshop, kid hosts Akeylah James and Brody Agmon introduce viewers to a new skilled trade in every episode. They dive into different trades, taking turns meeting passionate tradespeople and giving viewers an inside look at their expertise. Through one-on-one interviews and hands-on activities, each episode highlights a trade from the kid hosts’ unique perspectives—crafted specifically for young audiences.

The series features a range of skilled trade jobs including auto service technician, electrician, ironworker, goldsmith, baker-patissier, horticulturist, mining millwright, welder, dairy herdsperson, construction craft worker, chef, hairstylist, and an arborist.

The Trading Skills production team worked to intentionally feature a wide representation of tradespeople so that kids can see themselves on the screen and learn their stories. For example, auto service technician Nhu Nguyen is the only female in the world with a Porsche Classic certification and ironworker Jamie McMillan became an ironworker in 2002 when women only represented 2% of the trade workforce across Canada and the United States. Tammy Maki, a renowned Indigenous pastry chef, is also featured.

Riverbank Pictures filmed the series at locales across Ontario to shine a light on the province and its wonderfully diverse skilled tradespeople. Locations include the Greater Toronto Area, Vaughan, Hamilton, Waterdown, Sudbury, the Niagara region, the Caledon area, the Kitchener area, and Collingwood.

A Riverbank Pictures original production, Trading Skills is produced in association with TVOKids and is made with the financial participation of the Canada Media Fund. The series is produced by Francis Mitchell, David Mitchell, Johnny Mitchell and written and directed by Johnny Mitchell and Emma Fox.

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Children's Programming

BGM Sphere announces new pre-school series “Gabby’s Farm” to debut on TVOkids on May 17

From a media release:

Premiering May 17, 2021 on TVOkids, Gabby’s Farm is an engaging new preschool series from award-winning production company BGM, part of Sphere Media. TVOkids has also greenlit BGM’s Backyard Beats for a second season. This Canadian Screen Award-nominated music and arts series will be hosted again by Monica Brighton of That TVOkids Show.

TVOkids Original Gabby’s Farm (30×7) guides young viewers who are three-to-five years old through the world of farming and agriculture, encouraging their curiosity about nature, food, animal care and more. Hosted by Gabby, an adventurous six-year-old girl who’s passionate about farming, her family, and learning about all about the exciting things that happen on the farm, the series will give viewers a close look at all of the animals, equipment and activity that Gabby encounters on her family farm. Gabby’s Farm will introduce preschoolers to Gabby’s friends and neighbours, as well as farm activities like milking cows, riding tractors and exploring beehives.

Gabby’s Farm will be accompanied by the short-form series Count with Gabby! (20×2), which explores Gabby’s love of math and counting while exploring the farm.

BGM and TVOkids are also pleased to announced That TVOkids Show host Monica Brighton will return for season two of the Kidscreen Award-winning and Canadian Screen Award-nominated series Backyard Beats. Picking up on the fun and games from season one, Brighton will show school-age kids in Grades 1-3 how to create their own DIY “craft-struments” using common household items. She’ll also be joined by professional musicians who demonstrate their skills on various instruments.

Watch Gabby’s Farm on TVOkids and the TVOkids YouTube channel starting May 17, 2021. Season two of Backyard Beats will premiere Late Fall 2021.

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Children's Programming

Rotating Planet Productions’ Zamzoom’s Animal Adventures comes to TVOkids

From a media release:

TVOkids and Montreal-based Rotating Planet Productions proudly present Zamzoom’s Animal Adventures—an imaginative, educational and hilarious new television program for ages five and up.

A 2D animation/live-action hybrid series (21 episodes X 4 minutes), Zamzoom’s Animal Adventures takes kids on an unforgettable wildlife adventure across planet Earth. In each episode, we join Zamzoom, an enthusiastically impulsive space-alien explorer, and Orbie, his sharp-as-a-whistle robot partner, as they spin the globe, point and go! Light years from home, they land in some of Earth’s most stunning landscapes, such as the expansive grasslands of East Africa and the humid rainforests of South America. Coming face-to-face with an eclectic cast of real-life animals, Zamzoom and Orbie learn about what makes each species unique—from the secret language of marmots to the diving skills of northern gannets. They also answer questions such as “Why do hyenas laugh?” and “How do bees make tasty honey?”

Though they’re very different from one another, Zamzoom and Orbie make one intrepid duo! While Zamzoom jumps into any and all experiences without reservation, Orbie accesses Earth’s database to provide amazing facts and vital information that keeps Zamzoom out of trouble. (Although sometimes Orbie resorts to physically yanking Zamzoom out of trouble with the extendable robo-arm!) Together, Zamzoom and Orbie provide bite-sized brain snacks of science and loads of laughs as they embark on an intergalactic expedition of a lifetime!

Colourful, vibrant and entertaining, Zamzoom’s Animal Adventures captures the excitement of nature and wildlife and the sense of exploration and curiosity that comes hand-in-hand with growing up. Anything is possible, and the universe is open to be discovered!

Rotating Planet Productions, based out of Montreal, Quebec, produces and distributes a vast catalogue of wildlife and social documentaries, TV series, short films and children’s programs. Ari A. Cohen, producer and director, has created award-winning and internationally-acclaimed programs for more than twenty years, collaborating with the writers of Zerby Derby and The Adventures of Napkin Man! to bring this new Canadian series to life.Facebooktwitterredditlinkedinmail

Children's Programming

It’s My Party! premieres on TVO on June 26

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From a media release:

It’s My Party!, a new TVOkids Original series that takes viewers on a fascinating journey of discovery into different communities within Canada, premieres on Tuesday, June 26 at 6 p.m. From Diwali to Hanukkah to Kwanzaa to Oshogatsu, It’s My Party! (13×22-minute episodes) offers a fresh take on the celebrations, exploring the origins and meaning behind different elements – all from a child’s perspective.

Hosted by Emily Agard (Gastroblast, Ride or Wrong), each episode pairs up two kids who have never met before: one is the party guide, and the other is the VIP guest. These two newfound friends jump in feet first into new cultural experiences, participating in challenges and games linked to the food, fashion and festivities of the dynamic celebration. Each episode culminates in a lively performance.

The June 26 premiere episode focuses on the Punjabi winter celebration Lohri, where viewers are invited to experience bhangra dancing, Indian sweets and dhol drumming.

A companion game called Party Time! enables kids to explore, customize and design their own unique celebrations. Players can personalize and interpret their party by selecting and mix-matching cultural elements from the many events in the show.

The series is produced by Bristow Global Media, in association with TVO, with the financial participation of the Shaw Rocket Fund​ and the Canada Media Fund (CMF). Key executives include executive producers Julie Bristow, Marlo Miazga and Daniel Bourré for Bristow Global Media, as well as Marney Malabar and Marianne Lambert for TVO. Distribution360 has partnered with Bristow Global Media on international distribution, also overseeing format rights worldwide.

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Children's Programming, Featured

TVO’s Opie’s Home catches up with the energetic lad during summer break

My orange-skinned preschooler buddy has got himself a spinoff! Yes, Opie, who has been taking the fear out of kindergarten for kids and parents with Hey Opie! on TVO for the past couple of years, leaves school for a new series setting him at home.

Opie’s Home, debuting Tuesday at 10:50 a.m. on TVO, sends the friendly four-year-old—performed by Jordan Lockhart—home for the summer to spend time with his mom (Aisha Alfa), dad (Jim Annan), Gram (Claire Riley) and next door neighbour, Mr. Kabashio (Graham Greene).

TVO Kids, marblemedia and The Jim Henson Company have got educational and truly entertaining kids’ programming down pat and Opie’s Home is no exception. The first seven-minute instalment introduces trust and responsibility in an interesting way as Opie is allowed to handle his dad’s cell phone so he can take a “big boy” selfie. There are a few near-misses along the way—running on stairs with electronics in your hand isn’t the safest—but Opie is successful in landing “the funnest fun” selfie ever with some help from Snackasaurus. Episode 2 gets a little more serious, as kale smoothies don’t sound like fun at all to Opie and Gavin.

Opie’s Home airs Tuesdays and Thursdays at 10:50 a.m. on TVO and anytime on TVOKids. The series will premiere later this fall across Canada on Knowledge Kids and CityTV Saskatchewan.

Images courtesy of TVO.Facebooktwitterredditlinkedinmail