Three of the best-known shows on Ontario's public television network have been cancelled as TVO moves to cut $2 million from its budget, it was announced Tuesday.

The $2 million represents about five per cent of its annual provincial grant.

TVO has announced it is cancelling shows and cutting as many as 40 jobs in an attempt to slash its budget by $5 million. TVO has announced it is cancelling shows and cutting as many as 40 jobs in an attempt to slash its budget by $5 million. (Danielle Scott/Flickr)

The broadcaster is dropping:

  • Saturday Night at the Movies.
  • The Big Ideas lecture series.
  • Allan Gregg in Conversation.

TVO says between 35 and 40 jobs will be affected, between now and the end of March.

The broadcaster added it will put more resources into "digital innovation in children's educational media" and current affairs as it addresses reduced government funding.

The current season of Saturday Night at the Movies will be its last, after a nearly four-decade run.

Allan Gregg in Conversation and Big Ideas will also go off the air in the spring.

With files from The Canadian Press