OWL/TV
OWL/TV is a children's educational television series from Canada that aired on CBC, from 1985 to 1990,[1] and then later on CTV, from 1990 to 1994. Its focus is nature and science discovery, emphasizing to viewers how they can affect their own environment. In the United States, PBS and Showtime also aired the series for a short period. In the United Kingdom, the series also aired on BBC and ITV. Reruns of the show have aired on YTV, and CTV. A Quebecois French dub of the series also aired as Télé-Hibou on the youth-targeted channel Canal Famille, now known as VRAK.TV.
Each half-hour program presents cartoon segments mixed with serious features and contains segments from several recurring features:
- Mighty Mites: are three kids who possess the magical ability to shrink in size in order to explore microscopic environments.
- Animals Close: Up explores different aspects of animal life. Kids meet the animals first-hand and conduct on-the-spot interviews with zoologists and experts on animal behaviour.
- Tomorrow Today: Looks at the future from a child's point of view, brings children into working laboratories.
- Real Kids features young people who are actively involved in trying to improve their environment. These are kids who are not afraid to try. Real Kids nurtures the idea that individuals of any age can make a difference.
- You and Your Body: Kids learn about themselves with the aid of a wise and witty skeleton named Bonepart (voiced by Michael Lennick).
- Boneparte shares his enthusiasm for individual action on behalf of the environment.
- Dr. Zed explores the connections between nature and science and shows kids exciting experiments.
- The Hoot Club Kids: Set up and work through a project, solving production/performance problems, experimenting with materials, interacting with their community and environment.
This series was based on OWL magazine. Funding for the show was initially provided in part by PBS, with the National Audubon Society serving as a co-producer.[1]
This series' opening theme was performed by voice actress and recording artist Cree Summer. The lyrics were written by Tim Ryan and the music was composed by Jonathan Goldsmith.
References
- Finlayson, Ann. "Nature through the eyes of a child". Macleans. Retrieved July 28, 2020.