How to watch the 77th annual CTV Lions Children’s Christmas Telethon

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Dec. 6 marks the first Saturday of December, which means it is time for the annual CTV Lions Children’s Christmas Telethon.

The beloved northern Ontario Holiday tradition is entering its 77th year.

What is the telethon for?

The telethon raises money to ensure thousands of deserving local children have something to unwrap for Christmas.

“Our area covers Sault Ste. Marie, down (Highway) 17, Elliot Lake, all of Manitoulin Island and all the way up to Onaping Falls and we go down to Capreol, Noelville, French River and Markstay area,” said the telethon’s chair Sam Khoury, speaking recently with CTV News.

“Last year and this year we (are also) covering Temiskaming by North Bay on the backside.”

Many people are struggling and the Lions have received thousands more requests for toys than ever before.

Remember, all donations go right back to local children and families right here in northeastern Ontario.

“The thanks and the gratitude goes out to all the Lions clubs in the area because without their help, we cannot do it,” said Khoury.

“The Bell Media group is doing a fantastic job to help us to broadcast this all over on your satellite, your website, everything.

The Lions said they are also grateful for all the support they have received from Tim Hortons, Vale, Glencore, United Steelworkers and the Air Canada Foundation.

When is the telethon?

The telethon is live from 2 to 11 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 6.

How to Watch

IN PERSON: At Place des Arts, located at 27 Larch Street in downtown Sudbury, where admission is free.

ONLINE: You can stream the telethon live worldwide and during the broadcast the video box above also showed the telethon.

ON TV:

With CTV Sudbury

• Antenna: Channel 5
• Bell Fibe: Channel 201 or 1201 HD
• Bell Satellite: Channel 221
• Eastlink: Channel 4 or 603 HD
• Shaw Direct: Channel 151
• Vianet: Channel 127
• Sunwire: Channel 405

With CTV Sault Ste. Marie

• Antenna: Channel 2
• Bell Fibe: Channel 231 or 1231 HD
• Bell Satellite: Channel 590
• Shaw Cable: Channel 11
• Shaw Direct: Channel 149

NEW THIS YEAR: Crave subscribers in the Sudbury and Sault Ste. Marie areas can watch live on Crave or the Crave TV app.

How to donate

Donations can be made any time online.

The night of the telethon, donations by cash and cheque can be brought to Place des Arts.

Throughout the show, people can come on stage to add money to the Cheer Pot, also known as the Wish Bowl, and appear on the broadcast.

Names of donors who make donations by phone and online will scroll across the bottom of the screen throughout the show.

Don’t forget to honour your pledge!

Following the telethon day, donations can be dropped off at All Nations Church at 414 St. Raphael Street off of Howie Drive.

This year’s goal is $325,000.

A brief history of the show

The popular live nine-hour televised show features local talent performing in an effort to raise money to help make Christmas wishes come true for thousands of northern Ontario children.

It all started in 1949 when members of the Sudbury chapter of the Society for the Preservation and Encouragement of Barbershop Quartets pitched in to help the Salvation Army raise $500 by singing Christmas carols downtown.

The Sudbury Lions Club got involved in 1972.

In 2024, the telethon raised more than $416,000.

Get Involved

If you cannot join us at Place des Arts, show us how you and your loved ones are getting into the holiday spirit or enjoying the telethon by sharing your photos and videos with us on Facebook, Instagram and X (formerly Twitter) using the hashtag #CTVLionsTelethon.