On September 27th, 1970, TVO signed onto the airwaves for the first time. It was an experiment in public broadcasting using television for education at a time when TV was considered the root of all evil. 50 years later, the technology may have changed, but the mandate is still the same: never stop learning.

Join host Steve Paikin as he reveals the stories behind some of TVO's most memorable shows and celebrates 50 years of programming.

On September 27th, 1970, TVO signed onto the airwaves for the first time. It was an experiment in public broadcasting using television for education at a time when TV was considered the root of all evil. 50 years later, the technology may have changed, but the mandate is still the same: never stop learning. Join host Steve Paikin as he reveals the stories behind some of TVO's most memorable shows and celebrates 50 years of programming.

Coming September 27th

On September 27, 1970, TVO hit the airwaves for the first time. It came after years of political debate - and many thought the broadcaster should not  even exist. Ed Conroy, founder of Retrontario.com, joins host Steve Paikin to discuss those early days.

Origin story

Hocus pocus alimagocus! These special words brought Today's Special, one of TVO's most memorable kid's programs, to life. Nerene Virgin played Jodie, and she joins host Steve Paikin to discuss her role on the show, Black representation on television, and life after TVO.

Today's Special

Just what exactly is Polkaroo? Marney Malabar is TVO's director of Kids TV, and her answer is simple: what do you think? The answer allows imaginations to fly - and that's the whole point. Malabar joins host Steve Paikin to discuss how TVO's educational mandate made it an early leader in children's programming.

An early leader in children's programming

For nearly 40 years, TVO presented Ontarians with classic films and interviews with their cast and crew. Producer Risa Shuman made it all work. She joins host Steve Paikin to discuss landing her role, working with legendary host Elwy Yost, and the emotional finale of Saturday Night at the Movies.

Saturday Night at the Movies

As the host of Dialogue, Richard Ouzounian interviewed Ontario's actors, choreographers, broadcasters, comedians, and filmmakers. Now, TVO's former creative head of arts joins host Steve Paikin to discuss his most memorable celebrity interviews - and how arts programming changed during his tenure.

In Dialogue With the Stars

Joanne Souaid's name is synonymous with TVO's fundraising telethons. She joins host Steve Paikin to discuss addressing Ontarians, hat in hand, to ask for a small donation in exchange for high-quality educational programming.

How TVO Found Its Telethon Superstar

In its early years, TVO devoted every Sunday to French language programming. Eventually, the province spun off that programming into the province's official French language broadcaster, TFO. Host Steve Paikin speaks with Gisèle Quenneville, senior producer at TFO, about the broadcaster's mission and origins.

TFO: A bilingual service for Ontarians

TVO has broadcast its share of quirky shows, but none more so than Prisoners of Gravity. It was hosted by "commander" Rick Green, who fled Earth for his space station. There, he interviewed luminaries in the science fiction and comic book worlds - such as Ray Bradbury, Harlan Ellison, Stan Lee, and Jack Kirby.

Green joins Steve Paikin to discuss the show's influence and share some behind-the-scenes moments.

TVO has broadcast its share of quirky shows, but none more so than Prisoners of Gravity. It was hosted by "commander" Rick Green, who fled Earth for his space station. There, he interviewed luminaries in the science fiction and comic book worlds - such as Ray Bradbury, Harlan Ellison, Stan Lee, and Jack Kirby. Green joins Steve Paikin to discuss the show's influence and share some behind-the-scenes moments.

Prisoners of Gravity

Before The Agenda there was Between the Lines - a town hall-style program in which groups of experts discussed a topic in front of a live audience. It was also Steve Paikin's first hosting gig at TVO. Former producer Howard Bernstein joins Steve to offer a look behind the scenes.

Between the Lines

On September 27th, 1970, TVO signed onto the airwaves for the first time. It was an experiment in public broadcasting using television for education at a time when TV was considered the root of all evil. It went on to produce programming that shaped entire generations and change what it means to educate.

Hosted by Steve Paikin, TVOat50 brings you the story behind shows like The Polka Dot Door, Today’s Special, and Saturday Night at the Movies. Join us as we dive behind the scenes of half a century of programming.

On September 27th, 1970, TVO signed onto the airwaves for the first time. It was an experiment in public broadcasting using television for education at a time when TV was considered the root of all evil. It went on to produce programming that shaped entire generations and change what it means to educate.
Hosted by Steve Paikin, TVOat50 brings you the story behind shows like The Polka Dot Door, Today&rsquo;s Special, and Saturday Night at the Movies. Join us as we dive behind the scenes of half a century of programming.

The stories behind half a century of programming.

TVOat50

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