Genres News, Children's television series, Educational television | ||
The Youth News Network ("YNN") was a failed venture by Athena Educational Partners that attempted to create a daily news program that would be broadcast into high school classrooms across Canada.
At least one series was filmed with local Montreal, Quebec, area high school students. West Hill High School students were selected to film the first show of the series. Montreal television reporters Anne Shatilla and Leslie Roberts were involved in the venture.
Much like the more successful Channel One News service in the United States, Athena hoped that YNN would be able to generate revenue by selling commercial time during its daily classroom broadcasts. The idea of showing commercials in the classroom proved to be very controversial -- YNN met strong resistance from a variety of groups.
The service was eventually banned from being shown in schools in six provinces. In response to public pressure, Athena announced in May 2000 that it would show public advocacy messages instead of commercials. At some point in 2001 the company ceased to exist.