Rough Aunties, 95-year-old factory workers, and hearty holiday fare part of
TVO's December 2009 highlights

    
    TVO's December 2009 Online Media Highlights are now available with more
    information on new programming and video clips at:
    www.newswire.ca/en/releases/mmnr/tvo/december2009
    

TORONTO , Nov. 5 /CNW/ - TVO presents thought-provoking, intelligent stories of bravery, determination, and compassion, coupled with love, humour, and heartwarming holiday shows.

On TVO's Sunday Big Night In, a trio of documentaries will have you cheering. On December 6 at 9 pm , the North American premiere of the hard-hitting but empowering documentary "Rough Aunties" profiles a group of South African women who help young victims of sexual abuse and work to bring offenders to justice. "The Continuing Adventures of a Boy Called Alex" on December 20 at 8 pm catches up to a young man who won't let cystic fibrosis get in his as he embarks on his next challenge of conducting one of the world's most famous choral works. On December 27 at 9 pm , age knows no-bounds with "Pensioners Factory: Working to 95" which profiles workers at a factory near Boston where the average age of employees is 74.

On TVO's new Science block, Tuesdays at 10 pm , the two-part documentary "The Virus Empire" airing December 1 and 8, is a timely look at the science of viruses and how they're spread. On December 15, 22 , and 29, "Science and Islam" explores the extraordinary Islamic scientific revolution from around 700 to 1250 AD.

Also in December the North American premiere of the three-part comedy-drama "Sunshine" stars Steve Coogan as a gambling addict who tries to turn his life around.

And there's a multitude of holiday fare for all ages on TVO's December schedule. Settle in with two giants of classic literature, beginning with a marathon airing of Dickens' eight-part "Little Dorrit" December 24 and 25, followed by "Oliver" starring Mark Lester and Oliver Reed on Saturday Night at the Movies on December 26 . Then, on December 31 you can countdown to the New Year with Jane Austen's "Mansfield Park," "Northanger Abbey," and "Persuasion."

And for the kids, the animated specials "Arthur's Perfect Christmas" and "Lost and Found" lead a heartwarming lineup of new and classic programs.

For more information on these programs and much more, including "Masterworks," "National Geographic," " Allan Gregg in Conversation" and "Saturday Night at the Movies," please visit TVO's December 2009 Media Highlights at www.newswire.ca/en/releases/mmnr/tvo/december2009.

About TVO

TVO is Ontario's public educational media organization and a trusted source of interactive educational content that informs, inspires and stimulates curiosity and thought. TVO's vision is to empower people to be engaged citizens of Ontario through educational media. For more information, visit tvo.org.

Where to find TVO

Cable channel 2 (channel may vary in some areas), Bell TV channel 265, Shaw Direct channel 353.

For further information: Media Contacts: Paul Ginis, [phone] ext. 2445, [email protected]; Lesley Horlick, [phone] ext. 2281; Angela Garde, [phone] ext. 2305