TVOKids
Programming block of TVOntario (now TVO)
title: "TVOKids" type: doc version: 1 created: 2026-02-28 author: "Wikipedia contributors" status: active scope: public tags: ["tvo-original-programming", "television-programming-blocks-in-canada", "preschool-education-television-networks", "1994-establishments-in-ontario"] description: "Programming block of TVOntario (now TVO)" topic_path: "geography/canada" source: "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/TVOKids" license: "CC BY-SA 4.0" wikipedia_page_id: 0 wikipedia_revision_id: 0
::summary Programming block of TVOntario (now TVO) ::
::data[format=table title="Infobox programming block"]
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| name | TVOKids |
| image | Tvokids-logo.png |
| caption | Logo used since 2022 |
| premiered | |
| channel | TVO |
| country | Canada |
| headquarters | Toronto, Ontario, Canada |
| format | Children's programming block |
| runtime | 6:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m. EST (Weekdays) 5:00 a.m. — 7:00 p.m. (Weekends) |
| website | |
| language | English |
| :: |
| name = TVOKids | image = Tvokids-logo.png | caption = Logo used since 2022 | premiered = | channel = TVO | country = Canada | headquarters = Toronto, Ontario, Canada | format = Children's programming block | runtime = 6:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m. EST (Weekdays) 5:00 a.m. — 7:00 p.m. (Weekends) | website = | language = English | parent = | picture_format = | terr_serv_1 = Available on full-power and some low-power stations in Ontario | terr_chan_1 = Check local listings for stations | online_serv_1 = YouTube | online_chan_1 = TVOKids | online_serv_2 = YouTube (Paw Patrol) | online_chan_2 = TVOKids Paw Patrol
TVOKids (stylized as tvokids) is the brand for most of the children's programming aired by TVO (formerly TVOntario) in Canada. It was launched on April 1, 1994, and runs from 6:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. daily. The brand also operates two 24-hour online live streams, one that features regular TVOkids programming (simulcast with broadcast television), and another dedicated to its original series Paw Patrol. These channels are targeted at ages from 2 to 11.
::figure[src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/d/d5/Tvokids-logo.svg" caption="Former logo in 2015-2022"] ::
Hosts
Since its inception in 1994, TVOKids has had numerous hosts. In chronological order, the hosts of TVOKids were: Patty Sullivan, Kevin Brauch, Joseph Motiki, Rekha Shah, Gisèle Corinthios, Julie Zwillich, Phil McCordic, Julie Patterson, Nicole Stamp, Milton Barnes, Jackie English, Mark Sykes, Ryan Field, Kara Harun, Drew Dafoe, Dalmar Abuzeid, Cassius (Cass) Crieghtney, Melissa Peters, Daniel Fernandes, Mickeey Nguyen, Lucas Meeuse, Laura Commisso, Greg Liow, Monica Brighton, Matt Nethersole and Maryanne Oketch.
Programming blocks
''That TVO Kids Show''
That TVO Kids Show launched on August 26, 2019. It was hosted by Laura and Lucas. It broadcasts live daily. During each episode, a different code is given to the audience then going to live stream via webcam or phone for the day's topics or feature showcase.
That TVO Kids Show ended on April 8, 2022, replaced with reruns of various shows from TVO's library.
In October 2022, That TVOKids Show was replaced by digital-first series KnowBrainers. https://tvo.me/new-digital-first-series-know-brainers-blends-learning-and-lolz-on-tiktok/
''School Age''
School Age (formerly known as The Crawlspace and The Space) was the name of the afterschool programming block. It airs nonstop episodes of various series with a host block between each episode. The Crawlspace launched on April 4, 1994, and was originally hosted by Patty Sullivan and Kevin Brauch. School Age airs daily. It was hosted by Matt Nethersole, Laura Commisso, and Monica Brighton.
Preschool
TVOKids' preschool block, (formerly The Nook and Gisèle's Big Backyard), airs weekdays. It includes 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.
Programming
Main article: List of programs broadcast by TVOKids
References
References
- [https://web.archive.org/web/19970418061607/http://www.tvo.org/TVOkids/default.html tvo kids Homepage]
- "TVO to End In-House Production of New Short Segments of Gisle's Big Backyard". Broadcaster Magazine.
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