{"id":20297,"date":"2022-08-15T15:55:10","date_gmt":"2022-08-15T13:55:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.radiotimes.com\/?p=1692068"},"modified":"2022-08-15T16:24:13","modified_gmt":"2022-08-15T14:24:13","slug":"what-cbbc-has-achieved-down-the-decades-is-to-be-celebrated-tv-stars-on-the-importance-of-childrens-entertainment-amid-online-move","status":"publish","type":"rss_feed","link":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/radiotimes\/rss_feed\/what-cbbc-has-achieved-down-the-decades-is-to-be-celebrated-tv-stars-on-the-importance-of-childrens-entertainment-amid-online-move\/","title":{"rendered":"\u201cWhat CBBC has achieved down the decades is to be celebrated\u201d: TV stars on the importance of children\u2019s entertainment amid online move"},"content":{"rendered":"

<\/p>

By Lauren Morris\n \t\t<\/p>

Published: Monday, 15 August 2022 at 12:00 am<\/p>

\n\n

From Blue Peter and Crackerjack to the Teletubbies and Horrible Histories, so many of us can say that we were raised in part by children\u2019s television. Whether you were seamlessly adding Tracy Beaker\u2019s \u2018bog off\u2019 to your playground vernacular or debating which breed of Pok\u00e9mon would make the best sidekick, after-school shows have played the role of babysitter, teacher, conversation-starter and friend for so many kids over the last few decades.<\/p>\n

Of course, the landscape of children\u2019s TV has changed dramatically in recent times with the advancement of technology and the relentless output of streaming platforms. With more toddlers wielding iPads and kids turning to the internet for entertainment, the incoming generation\u2019s viewing habits are constantly evolving \u2013 resulting in many channels leaving the terrestrial space.<\/p>\n

BBC Director-General Tim Davie announced this summer that CBBC would be moving online as a \u201ccost-saving measure\u201d<\/a>, in a move that would \u201cembrace the huge shifts in the market around us\u201d \u2013 and it\u2019s not just the free-to-air broadcasters abandoning their spots on the TV guide. Back in 2020, Disney confirmed that it would be scrapping The Disney Channel, Disney Junior and Disney XD in the UK<\/a>, with all content moving onto Disney Plus<\/a> instead.<\/p>\n

With channels making big decisions when it comes to how they air their shows, discussions around the digitalisation and value of children\u2019s TV couldn\u2019t be more important \u2013 a sentiment shared by many stars within the kids\u2019 entertainment sphere.<\/p>\n

\u201cKids\u2019 TV provides a unique viewpoint,\u201d Christopher Eccleston, who currently plays Fagin in CBBC drama Dodger, tells RadioTimes.com<\/a>. \u201cWhat CBBC has achieved down the decades is to be celebrated. Long may it continue.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhen I got into filming [Dodger], I soon realised how this drama set in Dickensian London actually was so very contemporary,\u201d he adds. \u201cIssues around poverty, homelessness \u2013 all the things that still sit at the heart of society \u2013 are dealt with in a way that allowed us as a family to take a look at and discuss our own lives as well as the lives of others.\u201d<\/p>\n

Since TV producers first began creating content for children in the 1940s, kids\u2019 shows have been responsible for moulding the minds of youngsters, passing on basic lessons in humanity via the means of entertainment.<\/p>\n

\"""\"<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>
Rhys Stephenson on CBBC<\/span><\/figcaption> CBBC<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

\u201cChildren\u2019s dramas in particular have played a part in shaping the ideals that I now hold as an adult,\u201d CBBC presenter and former Strictly Come Dancing<\/a> contestant Rhys Stephenson says. \u201cThey are paramount in challenging the status quo for young people.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s also the fact that in a world where some believe children should be seen and not heard that someone out there takes the time to lovingly create something solely for them to enjoy and escape to. And it\u2019s always these kind of programmes and the lessons they teach that we carry with us forever.\u201d<\/p>\n

Meanwhile, Simon Crawford-Collins \u2013 the executive producer for Mystic whose credits include Hustle, Spooks and Around the World in 80 Days<\/a> \u2013 stresses the need to avoid patronising young audiences. \u201cIt was always very important for us not to sound worthy or preachy. Kids are very intuitive and will not stand for anything less than a fully entertaining viewing experience,\u201d he adds.<\/p>