TORONTO – TVO said Monday that it is wrapping up in-house production of the short interstitial segments of Gisèle's Big Backyard next month as it struggles with “limited resources”.
The announcement impacts approximately six employees and seven hours of in-house production per year. While the educational broadcaster promised to continue to air Gisèle's Big Backyard programming daily, TVO said that it will use its existing inventory of over 800 interstitial segments during the 6:00 AM to 3:00 PM program block.
TVO added that there will be no visible changes to viewers, and that favourites like Paw Patrol, Hi Opie!, Doozers and Alphabet Goop will continue to be introduced by learning lessons from Gisèle and the team.
"I would like to thank the cast, puppeteers, production team and crew of Gisèle's Big Backyard, especially host and namesake Gisèle Corinthios, for unwavering dedication in inspiring our youngest minds to be successful in school and in life," said TVO’s Kids TV director Marney Malabar, in the news release. "With limited resources, TVO must make difficult choices. Regrettably, in-house production of the short interstitial segments will cease, but we will be able to continue to serve our two to four year old pre-school audience with our inventory of Gisèle's Big Backyard for years to come."
