TVOKids

TVOKids

Premiered	April 4, 1994 [1]
Network	TVO
Country of origin	Canada
Format	Children's programming block
Running time	6:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m. (EST)
Official website	tvokids.com

TVOKids (stylized as tvokids) is a Canadian children's programming block seen daily on TVOntario (TVO), the public educational television network for the province of Ontario, Canada.

History

Since its inception in 1994, TVOKids has had numerous hosts. In chronological order, they are:

• Patty Sullivan
• Kevin Brauch
• Joseph Motiki
• Rekha Shah
• Gisèle Corinthios
• Phil McCordic
• Julie Zwillich (aka Julie 1)
• Julie Patterson (aka Julie 2)
• Nicole Stamp
• Milton Barnes
• Mark Sykes
• Jackie English
• Ryan Field
• Kara Harun
• Drew Dafoe
• Dalmar Abuzeid
• Cassius (Cass) Crieghtney
• Melissa Peters
• Daniel Fernandes

The current hosts are Kara Harun, Melissa Peters and Daniel Fernandes.

Programming blocks

The Space

The Space (formerly known as "The Crawlspace") is the name of the after-school programing block. The space airs non-stop episodes of shows 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. "The Space" currently airs Monday to Friday, 3:30 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. EST and on Saturday and Sunday, 6:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. EST. "The Space" is currently hosted by Kara Harun, Melissa Peters, and Daniel Fernandes.

Tumbleweed

For many years, "The Crawlspace" had a hamster named Tumbleweed, who served as their mascot. Tumbleweed was a real hamster.

Gisèle's Big Backyard

TVOKids' preschool block, Gisele's Big Backyard (formerly "The Nook") airs weekdays between 6:00am and 3:00pm, and features interstitial segments hosted by Gisele 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 and Humpty and Marigold also appear in 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 announced it would end production of new Gisele's Big Backyard segments in May 2016, but the block would continue to air using archived segments.^[2]

Programming

Some of the programs on TVOKids are produced in-house by TVOntario, and are based on Ontario's educational curriculum. Each program is approximately 3–4 minutes per episode.

• Artbot - Adult artists explain visual art concepts such as line, color, and composition. The robot Artbot is portrayed by Jackie English.
• The Bod Squad / BOD TV - Spoofs popular television shows and movies, and starring the TVOKids hosts, these short episodes promote healthy eating.
• The Bodies - A series promoting healthy eating using characters who live inside a computer program.
• Critter Corner - Host Jackie English explores the animal kingdom.
• Dino Dig - Paleontologist character Alberta Rex (Jackie English) hosts this informational show on dinosaurs.
• EnviroGirl - A series promoting energy conservation, starring idealistic superhero EnviroGirl (portrayed by Nicole Stamp).
• Mark's Moments - Host Mark Sykes interviews kids with disabilities to learn about their lives.
• The Reading Rangers - A Western-style series promoting literacy.
• The Royals - A queen of hearts and her jester explore good manners and games.
• Space Trek - Explore the solar system and beyond with host Captain Kent (Mark Sykes).
• Super Citizens - A comedic live action show about a group of superheroes that promote good citizenship. The Super Citizens are EnviroGirl (Nicole Stamp), Professor Atlas (Milton Barnes), Atomic Guy (Mark Sykes), FlyGirl (Julie Patterson), NiftyGirl (Jackie English), and the Blue Brain (Ryan Field).
• Time Trackers - A series converging the broadcast and web aspects of TVOKids to teach Canadian history in a humorous and interactive way.
• Transform It! - This series encourages kids to take common everyday objects and transform them into new things. Fourteen 3-minute episodes were produced.
• Tumbletown Reads - Tumbleweed works for a newspaper while teaching children writing skills.
• Tumbletown Tales - A series performed by small live rodents (using the TVOKids hosts as voice talent). The star of the series is Tumbleweed the Hamster (voiced by Phil McCordic); the learning objective is real-world application of mathematical concepts.

Current programming

Shows that have aired as part of TVOKids include:

• Annedroids
• Arthur (1996–present)
• Beats in Bites (2012–present)
• Bushwhacked! (2014–present)
• Can You Imagine That! (2015–present)
• The Day Henry Met..? (2015–present)
• Dino Dan (2010–present)
• Dinosaur Train (2009–present)
• Doggy Day School (2010–present)
• Doki (2015–present)
• Doozers (2014–present)
• Ella the Elephant (2013–present)
• Finding Stuff Out (2012–present)
• Floogals (2016–present)
• Gastroblast (2015–present)
• Giver
• Hi Opie! (2014–present)
• I'm a Creepy Crawly
• I'm a Dinosaur
• Jack (2011–present)
• The Jungle Book (2010–present)
• Junior Vets
• Little Lunch (2015–present)
• Little Wilfey Bear
• Look Kool (2015–present)
• The Magic School Bus (1994–present)
• Making Stuff (2010–present)
• Mister Maker (2013–present)
• Monkey See Monkey Do (2010–present)
• Mouk (2012–present)
• The Mystery Files (January 21, 2016–present)
• The Mysteries of Alfred Hedgehog (2010–present)
• Now You Know (September 7, 2015–present)
• The Numtums (2012–present)
• Odd Squad (2014–present)
• PAW Patrol (2013–present)
• Peep and the Big Wide World (2004–present)
• Pop It! (September 3, 2007–present)
• Quizzine (2015–present)
• Raa Raa the Noisy Lion (2013–present)
• Rob the Robot (2011–present)
• Ruff-Ruff, Tweet and Dave (2015–present)
• Science Max: Experiments at Large (2015–present)
• Space Racers (2015–present)
• Sports Lab (June 22, 2015–present)
• Thomas & Friends (1998–present)
• Tinga Tinga Tales (2010–present)
• Wild Kratts (2011–present)
• Wibbly Pig (2011–present)
• WordGirl (2007–present)
• YOUniverse (2014–present)
• Zerby Derby (2013–present)
• Zooville (2011–present)
• Zou

Former programming

• Ace & Avery (2000)^[3]
• The Adventures of Dudley the Dragon (1994–2000)
• The Adventures of Paddington Bear (1997–1999)
• Aftermath
• Animal Alphabet (1999–2008)
• Animal Numbers (1999–2001)
• Anne of Green Gables: The Animated Series (2000–2010)
• Art Alive (2004–05)
• Art Attack
• The Babaloos (2001)
• Babar (2000–2008)
• Backyard Bug Adventures (January 4, 2002–2003)
• Backyard Science (2003–2009)
• Bali (2006–2010)
• Bananas In Pyjamas (1995–2004)
• Bear in the Big Blue House (April 2, 2001–2006)
• Benjamin's Farm (2002–03)
• The Big Bang (2001–2007)
• Bill and Ben (2002–03)
• Bill Nye the Science Guy (1994–2000)
• The Blobs (2000)
• Blue's Clues (1999–2006)
• Boo! (2003–2005)
• Bookmice (1992–2000)
• Boowa and Kwala (2008–2010)
• BrainBounce! (2001–2004)
• CG Kids (January 4, 2002–2008)
• Cooking for Kids with Luis (2004–2007)
• Corduroy (2000–2014)
• Corneil & Bernie (November 24, 2003–2004)^[4]
• Cotoons (2005–2010)
• The Country Mouse and the City Mouse Adventures (1997–2001)
• Dinosaur Detectives (2000–2003)
• Dive Olly Dive! (2007–2011)
• Doctor Snuggles (2001)
• Dora the Explorer (June 2, 2003–2008)
• Dougie in Disguise (2006–07)
• DragonflyTV (2003–2007)
• Dream Street (1999–2003)
• Eddy and the Bear (2002–2004)
• The Electric Company (2009–2013)
• Ellen's Acres (2007–2008)
• Elliot Moose (1999–2014)
• Eric's World (1994–1995)
• Ethelbert the Tiger (2001–02)
• Everything's Rosie (2010–2015)
• Eureeka's Castle (1994–1999)
• Fetch! with Ruff Ruffman (2006–2008)
• Fetch the Vet (2001–2002)
• Finger Tips (2002–2013)
• Fireman Sam (1997–2001)
• Five (2012–2016)
• Frances (2008–2010)
• Friends of the Forest (1994–1997)
• F.R.O.G. (1994–1995)
• Fun Food Frenzy (2000–2008)
• Fun with Claude
• Funny Animals (2008–2012)
• George Shrinks (2000–2014)
• Get a Life!
• Get Squiggling (2008–2013)
• Ghostwriter (1994–1996)
• Go, Diego, Go! (2007–2008)
• Grandpa's Garden (2004–2008)
• Grandpa in My Pocket (2009–10)
• The Green Squad (2012–2015)
• Guess How Much I Love You
• Hi-5 (2003–05, 2007–13)
• Horseland (2007–2008)
• The Hoobs (2001–2007)
• I Dare You (2006–2009)
• I'm an Animal
• Incredible Story Studio (1997–2000)
• Inquiring Minds
• It's A Big Big World (2007)
• Jack's Big Music Show (2006–2008)
• Jakers! The Adventures of Piggley Winks (November 24, 2003–2007)
• Jelly Jamm (2012–2016)
• Johnson and Friends (1995–December 31, 1999)
• Join In! (1994–2000)
• The Journey of Allen Strange (2000–2003)
• The Jungle Room (2007–2013)
• The Koala Brothers (2004–2008)
• Kratts' Creatures (1996–2001)
• The Large Family (2008–2013)
• Lassie (2010–2013)
• Lilly the Witch (2004–2011)
• Little Bear (1999–2012)
• Little Ghosts (2002–2004)
• The Little Prince (2012–2016)
• Little Princess (2007–2014)
• Little Robots (2003–2005)
• Little Star (1995–2001)
• The Longhouse Tales (2000–01)
• Madeline (November 24, 2003–2005)
• Magic Adventures of Mumfie (1999–2001)
• Magic Mountain (1997–1999)
• Maisy (2000–2002)
• Make Way for Noddy (December 31, 2001–2005)
• Mama Mirabelle's Home Movies (2007–2010)
• Martha Speaks (2008–2014)
• Merlin the Magical Puppy (2002–03)
• Miffy and Friends (November 17, 2003–2006)
• Mighty Machines (1994–2013)
• Milly, Molly (2008–2010)
• Minuscule (2007–2013)
• Miss Spider's Sunny Patch Friends (2008–2012)
• Mr. Moon (2010–2013)
• My Little Planet (1997–2001)
• Mustard Pancakes (2007–08)
• Nelly and Caesar (2009–2013)
• The New Adventures of Lassie (2013–2016)
• Noddy (1998–2004)
• Noodle and Doodle (2012–2015)
• Numberjacks (2008–2013)
• The Ocean Room (2009–2014)
• Off the Hook (1995–1997)
• Oobi (2003–2005)
• Paper, Scissors, Glue (January 3, 2000–2002)
• PB Bear and Friends (1998–2000)
• Penelope K, by the way (2010–2014)
• Peppa Pig (2004–2014)
• Pingu (1994–2008)
• Pinky Dinky Doo (2009–10)
• Polka Dot Door (1994–2003)
• Polka Dot Shorts (1994–2008)
• Poppetstown (2009–2012)
• Poppy Cat (2012–2014)
• Popular Mechanics for Kids (1999–2003)
• Rainbow Fish (1999–2001)
• Real Kids, Real Adventures (1999–2001)
• Rockabye Bubble (2000–2001)
• Rupert Bear, Follow the Magic... (2007–08)
• Sagwa, the Chinese Siamese Cat (2001–2013)
• Sci-Squad (1999–2000)
• Serious Jungle (2003–04)
• Serious Ocean (2008–09)
• The Shak (2007–2009)
• Sharon, Lois & Bram's Elephant Show (1994–2001)
• Shining Time Station
• Sid The Science Kid (2008–2015)
• Simon in the Land of Chalk Drawings (2001–2003)
• Sing Me a Story with Belle
• Small Potatoes (2011–2015)
• Space Cases (2001–2002)
• Spellz (2006–2013)
• SWAP-TV (2002–2010)
• Stuff (1997–2001)
• Taste Buds (2008–2014)
• Teletubbies (April 1998–2003)
• Teletubbies Everywhere (2002–2004)
• Think Big (2008–2015)
• This Is Daniel Cook (2007–2010)
• Tigga and Togga (2006–2011)
• Tilly and Friends (2012–2015)
• Timothy Goes to School (2000–2014)
• Tommy Zoom (2007–08)
• The Toothbrush Family (1997–1999)
• Tots TV (1996–2001)
• The Toy Castle (2003–2006)
• Timbuctoo (1996–1998, 2001)
• Time Warp Trio (2005–2007)
• ToddWorld (2006–2008)
• Tracey McBean (January 4, 2002–2007)
• The Triplets (1997–98)
• Tutenstein
• The Upside Down Show (2006–2008)
• The Wacky World of Webster and Whim (1999)
• The Way Things Work (2002–2004)
• Wazoo! What a Zoo! (2002–2011)
• Why? (January 3, 2000–2003)
• Wicked Science (April 12, 2004–2006)
• Widget the World Watcher
• The Wiggles (2000–2013)
• William's Wish Wellingtons (1999–2001)
• Wishbone (1996–2000)
• Wobbly Land (2008–2010)
• Woofy (2007–08)
• The Wombles
• The Wonder Pets! (2007–2008)
• WordWorld (2007–2015)
• A World of Wonders (2007–2016)
• Yoho Ahoy (2000–2003)
• Yoko! Jakamoko! Toto! (2003–2008)
• Zoboomafoo (1999–2016)
• Zoomix (2012–2016)

References

1. tvo kids Homepage
2. "TVO to End In-House Production of New Short Segments of Gisle's Big Backyard". Broadcaster Magazine. Retrieved 14 April 2016.
3. TVO Kids Show-times
4. tvokids Schedule

External links

• Official website
• TVOKids' Gisèle Corinthios is Mom, TV Producer Behind the Scenes