I'm so going to miss Studio 2

When Studio 2 first went on the air on September 26, 1994, the promotional ads promised 'Death to soundbites!' From the beginning, the program was dedicated to in-depth analysis and debate - giving the topics we cover the time they deserve. Fortunately, we've had hosts of the calibre of Mary Hynes, Steve Paikin, Paula Todd, and Allan Gregg, who bring years of journalistic experience and insight to every interview. The most common comment from our guests: 'That's the best (or toughest) interview I've ever done!'

But Studio 2 is much more than its daily interviews. Our field producers have travelled the province to make documentaries that reflect Ontario society, telling Ontario stories in the words of the people themselves. Over the years our crews have become familiar to residents from the Manitoba to the Quebec borders. Studio 2 has
always had a special interest in Ontario's North, featuring this year full editions on the ice roads north of Pickle Lake, the bears of Kenora, and 'The Spirit of the North,' a program about the real but sometimes intangible appeal of life in the North.

Studio 2 has sunk its roots deep into the regions and communities of Ontario over the years with special programs from the Royal Winter Fair, Ottawa's Winterlude, the Nordic Games in Thunder Bay and the
International Ploughing Match in Ayr.

Studio 2 has also shown a special interest in the arts, focusing on homegrown Ontario talent. We've brought viewers specials on the Stratford and Shaw Festivals, and our documentary profiles have portrayed not just the accomplished and well-known, but the
up-and-coming young stars of tomorrow in every field of the visual and performing arts.

Our ever-popular Ontario-wide 'Town Contests' have continued with Bancroft winning as the "Most Talented Town" in 2004. Previous
titles have gone to Perth, "Prettiest Town in Ontario" in 2000, Cobalt as "Most Historic Town" in 2001, and in 2002 the Beaches district of Toronto won our "Best Main-street" contest. In 2003, we looked for "The Greenest Town" where Orillia and Caledon tied for first place. Based on viewer feedback and the economies of our production model, Studio 2 has been able to "spin off" other programs from our most popular weekly features. Person 2 Person with Paula Todd,
Diplomatic Immunity with Steve Paikin, On Stage, and Allan Gregg in Conversation with... have joined Fourth Reading (which actually predates Studio 2) as stand-alone programs on the weekends. In 1994, our goal was to create a program that would serve as an electronic archive of Ontario, its people, and the times.
It is a lofty goal that we pursue every day, and we are never satisfied. We have a deep feeling of pride in the people who daily make Studio 2 possible, gratitude to TVOntario for the opportunity to create such a unique program, and an enduring respect for the people who watch and encourage it.