January 26 , 2010

TVO unveils new digital media strategy
Includes iPhone app and video on demand

Aggressively continuing its digital media shift, TVO announces three new initiatives to broaden its educational reach for kids.

This week TVO became the first Canadian broadcaster to launch an educational iPhone application for early learners. Melvin's Marvellous Words interactive literacy game for pre-schoolers is now available via the Apple App Store. The app is based on Ontario's Kindergarten curriculum and, like all made-at-TVO children's content, is tested for effectiveness in school settings by TVO's in-house educational specialist.

"Parents can trust that the content we're delivering supports their children's learning," said TVO's Chief Executive Officer, Lisa de Wilde. "In this busy digital media space, we're focused on delivering educational content to kids and their parents, and creating a seamless transition between traditional television, online and mobile."

The iPhone app launch follows on the heels of last month's announcement that TVOKids educational programming is now available to Rogers customers as part of the Rogers On Demand Online. TVOKids programs from Gisèle's Big Backyard and The Space can be watched anytime at www.RogersOnDemand.com.

Parents can also now download to own songs and music videos from these two programs for their children's enjoyment and learning through Apple Inc's digital media player iTunes. The TVO-iTunes partnership encompasses four international contracts - North America, Japan, Europe and Australia-New Zealand.

"We're a small organization dedicated to quality educational programming," added Ms. de Wilde. "But with the right digital media partners we can continue to broaden our reach and punch above our weight in terms of our educational impact."