Murdoch Mysteries

• Retail sales of Paw Patrol merchandise have surpassed US$14 billion.
• Yet, there is little awareness here in Canada of the country’s global reach in children’s television content production.

Near and dear to our hearts

• Many of these shows are near and dear to our hearts and we hold deep nostalgia for them.
• Children’s media is massively under-researched or ignored in scholarship about Canadian cultural industries, and similarly in overlapping areas like Canadian media studies, media history, children’s studies or even Canadian children’s history.

Redefining values and representation

• Passe-Partout originally ran between 1977-92, featuring playful human characters and a family of puppets that are still cherished today.
• These are featured alongside documentary film clips of Elders and local artists teaching Inuktitut and Inuit culture.
• In the past 70 years, many of these aforementioned shows have contributed significantly to redefining national values and symbols and contributed to a fuller picture of cultural and racialized diversity.
• But as research from the Children’s Media Lab at Toronto Metropolitan University indicates, there is still a ways to go with representing children across the country.

Canada as hub

• Canada is also an international hub for the children’s entertainment industry.
• For example, the children’s media program at Centennial College is world-renowned, as is Sheridan College’s animation program.
• And Kidscreen — the top trade publication for the global children’s entertainment industry — is produced in Toronto, demonstrating the depth of cultural capital here.

Children’s media and policy, funding decisions

• Canadian children’s television has shaped children’s media around the world and has had a big impact on how media should tell stories to child audiences.
• For example, much of Nickelodeon’s early programming was Canadian children’s TV often produced by local TV stations.
• Without an appreciation for Canada’s long history of children’s media production, the danger exists that the industry won’t be prioritized in policy decisions or in funding opportunities.

Museum exhibits: telling the stories

• If you are looking for something to do this summer, there are two museum exhibits that rectify this oversight in unknown stories of Canadian children’s media.
• The Canadian Museum of History, in Ottawa-Gatineau, is currently holding a special exhibit called From Pepinot to Paw Patrol — Television of our Childhoods, until Sept. 1, 2023, covering 70 years of Canadian children’s TV from coast to coast to coast.
• Featuring 100 shows and 85 artifacts, the exhibit aims to create an intergenerational and intercultural experience for the whole family.

• Mayor Schieve will join Spectrum and Ovation to present the $10,000 check to Note-Able Music Therapy Services as part of a private event on Nov. 10 for donors and supporters.
• "I'm so excited to see the innovators at Note-Able Music Therapy Services recognized for their life-changing work," said Reno Mayor Hillary Schieve.
• Added Charles Segars, CEO of Ovation TV and Founder of Stand For The Arts: "Ovation and Stand For The Arts are pleased to highlight the arts community of Reno.
• Note-Able Music Therapy Services' mission is to create lasting change in the lives of people of all abilities through music.

• SAN DIEGO, July 19, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Ovation TV, America's premier arts network, today announced that it has recognized San Diego as part of its national and local Stand For The Arts initiative that encourages community support for local artists and arts organizations.
• In support of local access to the arts, Mayor Todd Gloria presented a $10,000 Stand For The Arts Award to WorldBeat Cultural Center, funded by Ovation TV, that will be used for 2022 programming.
• "We're excited to have Ovation shine a spotlight on San Diego as part of its Stand For The Arts initiative, and we're especially proud to see our own WorldBeat Cultural Center celebrated nationally," stated Mayor Gloria.
• Added Charles Segars, CEO of Ovation TV and Founder of Stand For The Arts: "Ovation and Stand For The Arts are pleased to highlight the arts community of San Diego.

• PHOENIX, June 8, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Ovation TV, America's premier arts network, today announced that it has recognized Phoenix as part of its national and local Stand For The Arts initiative that encourages community support for local artists and arts organizations.
• In support of community access to the arts, Mayor Kate Gallego presented $5,000 Stand For The Arts Awards to two arts organizations: Support My Club and Act One, funded by Ovation TV, that will be used for 2022 programming.
• Added Charles Segars, CEO of Ovation TV and Founder of Stand For The Arts: "Ovation and Stand For The Arts are pleased to highlight the arts community of Phoenix.
• As an independent television, production, and digital media company, OVATION TV has an unparalleled commitment to the arts, culture, and captivating entertainment.