The people behind Our TVO want people to know why they feel TVO still matters.
Our TVO campaign spokesperson and former TVO host Joseph Motiki is on the front lines garnering support for stable funding and an enhanced commitment to made-in-Ontario programming.
“The purpose of the campaign is to try to get better funding for TVO from the government of Ontario,” Motiki said. “It’s very important to us.”
The group also wants to see more programs created through TVO, which he explained is the province’s public education broadcaster. The group started its efforts in March. Motiki was one of the individuals who provided a deposition to the province’s Standing Committee of Finance and Economy. He said the 15-minute presentation was very well received. “They loved the message – loved what we were saying.”
Following that, the group decided to use the summer months to take the message on the road to various communities across the province.
“One of the things we always used to do at TVO was to get out to all the different parts of Ontario. Back in the time I was there, it was TVOntario … that’s the ‘O’.”
He wasn’t sure if the name change was about branding, “but they don’t refer to it anymore as TVOntario – it’s TVO. But we never forgot what the ‘O’ stands for.”
Motiki said, “It’s been great going off to different parts of the province spreading the word as to why TVO is important.”
Another part of getting out to local communities is to discover what they thought about TVO.
“Either way, we can go back to TVO and tell them what the public have been telling us. Let’s work together and do something about that.”
He said the group is a coalition of current TVO employees, former employees, families, actors, performers, teachers, different types of educators – a whole lot of different groups.
In terms of events such as the Eden Mills Writers’ Festival, there is a small team looking for a chance to talk to people.
“People will come in to the booth and see pictures of shows which are, or used to be, on the station … and let the conversations start.
“Sometimes they are surprised to find out a program has been cancelled … so we explain there have been a lot of budget cuts over the years. The one the people are most shocked about is the loss of Saturday Night at the Movies which used to be a staple at TVO for 40-plus years.” The show was cancelled earlier this year.”
“If things like that upset you, you need to be part of this campaign,” said Motiki.
For more information, visit www.ourtvo.ca.
