The show featured a variety of performers hoping to break into the entertainment industry, including singers, instrumentalists, composers, announcers, and actors.
[1] Notable performers brought to notice by the show include Lois Marshall, Jon Vickers, Maureen Forrester, and Robert Goulet.
Weekly winners were chosen initially by studio audience response and mail-in voting, and later by a panel of judges.
[2] Auditions were usually held in the CBC Toronto studios, though Adaskin would also occasionally travel the country to hold out-of-town tryouts.
The following composers won first prizes or honorable mentions:[2] The following individuals competed on Opportunity Knocks and did not win, but went on to significant music careers:[2]