Deafplanet is a Canadian television series for children in American Sign Language (ASL). It was created by marblemedia in collaboration with TVOntario and the Canadian Cultural Society of the Deaf. A French-language version of the show was also produced, using Quebec Sign Language (LSQ).

Deafplanet
GenreKids
Created byMark J.W. Bishop, Matt Hornburg, Anita Small, Joanne Cripps
Written byMark J.W. Bishop, Matt Hornburg, Anita Small, Joanne Cripps
Directed byWayne Moss
StarringAmanda Richer
Michael Bishop
Jeri Cripps
Andrew Byrne
Geordie Telfer
Country of originCanada
Original languagesEnglish
American Sign Language
No. of seasons2
No. of episodes20 x 6 Minutes
Production
Executive producersMark J. W. Bishop
Matthew Hornburg
ProducersAjeeth Parkal
Donna Luke
Justin Harding
Kim Creelman
Rob Brunner
Running time6 minutes
Production companyMarblemedia & Canadian Cultural Society of the Deaf
Original release
NetworkTVO
ReleaseSeptember 6, 2003 (2003-09-06)[1] –
March 19, 2005 (2005-03-19)[2]

The TV series aired in Canada on provincial broadcasters TVOntario, Access, SCN and Knowledge. The show debuted in late 2003 and lasted for two seasons. The entire series has since been made available on the Encore+ channel on YouTube.[3]

Plot

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The show follows the character Max, who one day was fooling around with a museum rocket display and accidentally launched himself into space. He lands on "Deafplanet", where he meets a deaf teenager Kendra (Amanda Richer). She only uses sign language, but with the help of an interpreting robot, Max is able to understand her. She is determined to help Max get back to his home.

Episodes

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Season 1

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Series # Title Original airdate
1"To Air is Human"6 September 2003[1]
2"The Clever Lever"13 September 2003
3"The Itch"20 September 2003
4"Muscle Mania"27 September 2003
5"Lightning the Load"4 October 2003[4]
6"Math-O-Maniac"11 October 2003
7"Max Overdrive"18 October 2003
8"I'm Stuck on You"25 October 2003
9"Heat"1 November 2003[5]
10"The Silent Giant"8 November 2003

Season 2

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Series # Title Original airdate
11"Bad Vibrations"15 January 2005[6]
12"Purple Hayz"22 January 2005
13"Reflex Effects"29 January 2005
14"See-Thru Me Too"5 February 2005[7]
15"Learn or Burn"12 February 2005
16"Buzzing Off"19 February 2005
17"Eye Spy"26 February 2005
18"Power Trip"5 March 2005[2]
19"Shake N' Quake"12 March 2005
20"What Goes Up, Must Come Down"19 March 2005

Streaming

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As of 2017, the show has begun streaming online for free on Canada Media Fund's Encore+ YouTube channel.

Awards

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2002 International EMMY Awards Best Interactive Website nomination for www.deafplanet.com
2004 NHK Japan Prize Grand Finalist for producing www.deafplanet.com – Web Division
2004 NHK Japan Prize Finalist for producing www.deafplanet.com – Television Division
2004 Gemini Award Nomination for www.deafplanet.com for Most Popular Website
2004 Codie Award Nominated for Best Educational Solution
2004 Gemini Award Nomination for www.deafplanet.com for Best Interactive Website
2005 World Summit Award e-inclusion award for www.deafplanet.com
2005 NHK Japan Prize Finalist for producing www.deafplanet.com
2005 Gemini Award Nomination for www.deafplanet.com for Most Popular Website
2005 Gemini Award Nomination for www.deafplanet.com for Best Interactive

References

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  1. ^ a b "CICA Broadcast Log for September 2003". Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission. Retrieved January 27, 2019.[permanent dead link]
  2. ^ a b "CICA Broadcast Log for March 2005". Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission. Retrieved January 27, 2019.[permanent dead link]
  3. ^ "Deaf Planet". Canada Media Fund. YouTube. Retrieved January 27, 2019.
  4. ^ "CICA Broadcast Log for October 2003". Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission. Retrieved January 27, 2019.[permanent dead link]
  5. ^ "CICA Broadcast Log for November 2003". Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission. Retrieved January 27, 2019.[permanent dead link]
  6. ^ "CICA Broadcast Log for January 2005". Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission. Retrieved January 27, 2019.[permanent dead link]
  7. ^ "CICA Broadcast Log for February 2005". Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission. Retrieved January 27, 2019.[permanent dead link]
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