MZTV Museum of Television & Archive in Toronto
Opening Ceremony of the new exhibit
Phil Savenick, Curator of the MZTV Museum, is a creator of many most-acclaimed compilation documentaries dealing with TV and its history. He produced CBS’s “50 Years of Television: A Golden Celebration and the “ABC’s 40th Anniversary Show. He served as co-producer of the specials “The Museum of Television and Radio presents The Funny Women of Television”. Phil won many awards: even been Emmy-nominated as co-producer of “Donald Duck’s 50th Birthday” and “Great Moments in Disney Animation”.
Interview with Phil Savenick during the opening night at MZTV Museum of Television in Toronto
The “MZ” behind the MZTV Museum stands for Moses Znaimer. He is the co-founder, president and executive producer of Toronto’s independent television station CityTV. Creator of The National Cable and satellite music stations, MuchMusic, MusiquePlus, and the newstyleartschanel, Moses is known to the international broadcasting community for TV innovations such as “Videography” and “Speaker’s Corner”.
Interview with Moses Znaimer during the opening night at MZTV Museum of Television in Toronto
Phil Savenick and Moses Znaimer cut the ribbon at MZTV Museum of Television & Archive official opening night October 11, 2018
Museum’s exhibits
The exhibit opens with the story of the invention of television and the creation of the very first sets. As per the mission statement of the museum “The MZTV Museum and Archive seeks to protect, preserve and promote the Receiving Instruments of Television History. Whereas other North American Museums of Broadcasting feature Programs, ours is unique in its focus on the History of the Technology, as well as on the Sets Themselves.”
The MZTV Museum of Television& Archive
“Museum’s mandate is to exhibit the world’s most comprehensive collection of North American Television Receivers for the formative fifty-year period from the 1920s to the 1970s. The MZTV Museum also aims to tell the story of the medium and to contribute to the understanding of the impact of television on the people who watch it.”
MZTV Museum of Television & Archive official opening night October 11, 2018
The exhibition presents about 60 TV sets showcasing the history of the screen from as early as 1920s to the 1970s. There are some extremely rare Baird Televisor and Alexanderson’s Octagon, personal TV sets of Marilyn Monroe 1957 Magnavox, Elvis Presley‘s set from 1970s…
MZTV Museum of Television and Archives before the official opening night October 11, 2018
In 1951, a humorist described the disruption of family routine: “Having a television set, one automatically becomes the proprietor of a free theatre, free snack bar and public lounge.”
The appearance of the TV in homes had many other effects, not just the content of the programs draw attention – movie attendance dropped, many magazines had to close, and the TV Guide became a necessity.
MZTV Museum of Television and Archives before the official opening night October 11, 2018
On the shelves of the museum many of the TV sets represent the evolution of the technology. The collection reminds us that TV had its discovery periods. It evolved slowly in the appearance and sophistication over the period of about 50 years.
On display you can see the RCA TV set Phantom TRK-12 that was presented to general public in 1939 World’s Fair in New York City. The cabinet is transparent, so that to showt TV as a working machine, not some magical box. The interesting detail is you would watch the screen via mirror… This is the only ONE in the world!
We really enjoyed all the exhibits and think that you should visit the museum too!
Address and opening hours:
MZTV Museum of Television and Archives
64 Jefferson Avenue
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
M6K 1Y4
Phone: 416-599-7339
Email: mztv@MZTV.com
Admission & Hours
Adults $10
Seniors and Students $5
Groups 10+ $5/person
CARP Members FREE
Children 12 and under FREE
MZTV is open Tuesday-Friday: 2pm-5pm
Saturday-Monday: Closed