With Earth Day approaching next week, TVOKids is marking the occasion with a “green” light for some new eco-themed content.
The Canadian pubcaster has ordered Green Squad, an unscripted live-action series for six- to nine-year-olds from Montreal’s Apartment 11 (Interstellar Ella).
This 13 x 30-minute series centers around five teen hosts who teach kids how to make eco-friendly and creative changes to their lifestyle. In each episode, the teens field calls from real-life kids who want to make an impact in their communities, and then they help them make a plan to do so. Apartment 11 reached out to schools, community centers and environmental groups across Canada to find child participants with an interest in making a difference.
Green Squad will launch on TVOkids’ linear channel, website, YouTube channel and smart TV services in fall 2023. Apartment 11 president and executive producer Jonathan Finkelstein created the series, with Leo Singer and Dale Burshtein handling writing and direction.
TVOKids executive producer Kirsten Hurd said in a release that the series stood out to her by not only addressing a relevant topic, but also by adding the fun of “creative problem-solving skills” through its DIY premise. “Children have a great capacity for understanding and valuing their connection to the environment, especially when they learn about how they can make a positive impact,” she notes.
Green Squad has received funding from organizations including Canada Media Fund, Shaw Rocket Fund, the Canadian Film or Video Production Tax Credit and the Quebec Film and Television Tax Credit.