COLUMBUS, Ohio (December 11, 2024) - In an exhilarating moment of triumph, Opportunity Knocks' Cinderella nomination became an underdog victory, with the series shot in Columbus, Ohio beating out network mega-hits The Voice, Shark Tank, and American Ninja Warrior to be named 'Best Feel Good Show of the Year' at the 11th Annual American Reality Television Awards (ARTAS). The awards ceremony, held at the iconic Avalon Hollywood, celebrates excellence in unscripted television. Columbus viewers can stream the ARTAS Awards to see Opportunity Knocks' win on Roku, Pluto, and YouTube.
The series, including scenes featuring local resident, Wesley and Maegan Scherer, not-for-profit Telhio Credit Union and nonprofits Columbus Works and the Columbus SBDC streams on PBS Passport, YouTube and OpportunityKnocks.net.
The award was presented by Tucker Des Lauriers (Big Brother Season 26) and Jai Rodriguez (Queer Eye for the Straight Guy), marking a historic first for a program airing on PBS and underscoring the groundbreaking nature of Opportunity Knocks. The show's executive producers Jamie Strayer, Brian Spoor, and Jennifer George Hunter accepted the award praising the nonprofits, credit unions and courageousness of the families in front of a crowd that rallied behind the underdog series.
"Opportunity Knocks is inspired by the real experience of people living paycheck to paycheck here in Columbus, Ohio and across the nation," Telhio's CEO, Derrick Bailey, shared about agreeing to participate in the series. The Opportunity Initiative provides tools to viewers in central Ohio and across the nation. "Telhio Credit Union is here to assist people during any part of their financial journey."
Unlike its big-budget competitors, Opportunity Knocks delivers more than entertainment. The show's financial empowerment tools, The Opportunity Finder and The Opportunity Coach, help viewers replicate the success that Wesley and Maegan Scherer achieved here in Columbus, Ohio. Through compelling storytelling, it highlights community resources and strategies for families to move from financial struggle to health and wellness.
"This win shows that the American people are ready for a reality series that changes the lives of viewers at home," Strayer shared in a heartfelt acceptance speech as the creator of the series.
Across two seasons, Opportunity Knocks has featured 12 families, 17 nonprofits, and three expert financial coaches, including Jean Chatzky, a 25-year financial editor for NBC Today, and Patrice Washington, former financial expert on the Steve Harvey Show, and Louis Barajas, named a 'difference-maker' by People Magazine en Español.
The series is distributed nationally by American Public Television (APT) in partnership with presenting station WXXI Public Media. Broadcast footage of scenes shot in Columbus available by contacting: j.hunter@opportunityknocks.net.
