TVOKids
TVOKids, (short for TVOntario Kids), is the brand for most of the children's programming aired by TVOntario (TVO) in Canada. It was launched on April 1, 1994[1] and runs from 6:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. daily. This channel is targeted at preschool ages from 2 to 7.
Network | TVOntario |
---|---|
Launched | April 1, 1994[1] |
Country of origin | Canada |
Owner | Government of Ontario |
Format | Children's programming block |
Running time | 6:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m. (EST) - 5:00 a.m. — 7:00 p.m. (Weekends) |
Original language(s) | English |
Official website | tvokids.com |
Hosts
Since its inception in 1994, TVOKids has had numerous hosts. In chronological order, the hosts of TVOKids are: Patty Sullivan, Kevin Brauch, Joseph Motiki, Rekha Shah, Julie Zwillich, Gisèle Corinthios, Phil McCordic, Julie Patterson, Nicole Stamp, Milton Barnes, Mark Sykes, Jackie English, Ryan Field, Kara Harun, Drew Dafoe, Dalmar Abuzeid, Cassius (Cass) Crieghtney, Melissa Peters, Daniel Fernandes, Mickeey Nguyen and Lucas Meeuse.
The current hosts are Lucas Meeuse, Laura Commisso, and Greg Liow (However, Daniel Fernandes has made some appearances in the tree fort)
Programming blocks
That TVO Kids Show
That TVO Kids Show was launched on August 26, 2019. It is hosted by Laura and Lucas. It is live, on-air, from Monday to Sunday, from 4:30 p.m. to 4:45 p.m. It does not air on holidays. During each episode, a different password code is given to audience than going to live stream via webcam or phone for today topics or feature showcase.
School Age
School Age (formerly known as "The Crawlspace" and "The Space") is the name of the after school programming block. It airs nonstop episodes of various TV series with a host block in between each episode, varying in length. "The Crawlspace launched on April 4, 1994, and was originally hosted by Patty Sullivan and Kevin Brauch. School Age currently airs Monday to Friday, from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. EST and on Saturday and Sunday, from 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. EST. It is currently hosted by Daniel Fernandes, Greg Liow, Laura Commisso, and Lucas Meeuse.
Preschool
TVOKids' preschool block, (formerly "The Nook" and Gisèle's Big Backyard), airs weekdays from 6:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.; it features interstitial segments hosted by Gisèle Corinthios and several puppets, including Sticks the Squirrel (Jason Hopley), Jay the Blue Jay (Ali Eisner), Melvin the Skunk (Marty Stelnick), This (Ryan Field), That (Frank Meschkuleit), and Polkaroo. Polkaroo's trio of "Polka Dot Door Friends" Dumpty, Humpty, and Marigold also appear in smaller-than-human doll size rather than larger-than-human suits. This is their first re-appearance since Polka Dot Shorts ended in 2001.
TVO ended production of new Gisele's Big Backyard segments in May 2016, but the block continues to air using archived segments.[2]
Programming
References
- tvo kids Homepage
- "TVO to End In-House Production of New Short Segments of Gisle's Big Backyard". Broadcaster Magazine. Retrieved 14 April 2016.