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 Logo used since 2023 | |
| Country | United Kingdom |
|---|---|
| Broadcast area | United Kingdom and other services worldwide |
| Network | BBC One (until 2012) BBC Two (until 2013 and then later revived in 2022) BBC Alba (inScottish Gaelic only) |
| Headquarters | MediaCityUK,Salford,England |
| Programming | |
| Language | English |
| Picture format | 1080i/1080p[a]HDTV (downscaled to576i for theSDTV feed) |
| Ownership | |
| Owner | BBC BBC Studios (international network) |
| Sister channels | UK: BBC One BBC Two BBC Three BBC Four BBC News BBC Parliament CBBC BBC Scotland BBC Alba International: BBC News (international) BBC UKTV BBC Brit BBC HD BBC Lifestyle BBC Earth BBC Entertainment BBC Kids BBC First |
| History | |
| Launched | 11 February 2002; 23 years ago (2002-02-11) |
| Replaced | CBBC Choice (demerged withCBBC – originally children's strand onBBC Choice) |
| Links | |
| Website | cbeebies |
| Availability | |
| Terrestrial | |
| Freeview (UK) | Channel 202 (SD) Channel 204 (HD) |
| Streaming media | |
| BBC iPlayer | Watch live (UK viewers with a TV Licence) |
CBeebies is a Britishfree-to-airpublic broadcastchildren's television channel owned and operated by theBBC. It is also the brand used for all BBC content targeted for children aged six years and under. Its sister channel,CBBC, is intended for older children aged six to twelve.[1] It broadcasts every day from 6:00 am to 7:00 pm, timesharing withBBC Four.
On 20 November 2001, the CBeebies name was officially revealed as part of the split of the already-existing CBBC block and would be used as both a children's block and a digital channel.[2]
The CBeebies channel launched on 11 February 2002 alongside theCBBC channel, as a spinoff fromthe BBC's children's television strand. The first four shows to air on the channel wereTeletubbies,Binka,Step Inside andBits and Bobs.[3][4] CBeebies domestically broadcasts from 5:30 am to 7:00 pm, broadcasting six days per week. From the launch of the channel until 1 March 2002, CBeebies timeshared with fellow BBC channelBBC Knowledge but since 2 March 2002, it now timeshares withBBC Four, which is on air after CBeebies closes for the night at 7:00 pm.[5]
CBeebies was joined in 19 March 2007[6] by its own radio station, aptly namedCBeebies Radio, which broadcast for three hours each day onBBC Radio 7 until April 2011. CBeebies Radio, however, has continued as a feature on CBeebies' website since 2013, and as a station onBBC Sounds broadcasting from 6:00 am to 10:00 pm. ACBeebies Weekly magazine, now named justCBeebies Magazine, was first published in 2006.
Since March 2013, CBeebies has been carried by theBritish Forces Broadcasting Service.[7] CBeebies is also available in Ireland.[citation needed]
In September 2018 as part of a branding strategy,BBC Alba's unbranded two-hour children's block was split into CBeebies Alba andCBBC Alba, with the former airing during the first hour and the latter airing during the second hour. This block features its own presentation, presenters and shows inScottish Gaelic. The only presenter shared between the CBeebies Alba block and CBeebies channel isDodge T. Dog, who appears on an occasional basis.
On 15 March 2023, CBeebies rebranded its channel identity, in line with a wider corporate rebranding across the BBC starting in 2021. This was CBeebies' first rebrand, retiring the logo that the channel had used since its launch 21 years earlier. The new style featured a new logo in line with the BBC's 2021 logo, as well as a revamped appearance of the "Bugbie" characters that had been part of the channel's identity since launch.
BBC Studios owns and operates the international CBeebies feeds, with most of them operating on a 24-hour schedule (compared to the UK version).
The first international launch for the CBeebies channel was inIndia in May 2007, although the channel was shut down at the end of November 2012 owing to "commercial considerations".[8] ThePolish CBeebies channel was launched on 2 December 2007, while feeds inLatin America,[9]East,Southeast Asia,South Africa,Sub-Saharan Africa andAustralia were launched in late 2008. In March 2011, anon demand version of the network was launched in the United States and is available onXfinity.
On 13 May 2011, CBeebies was launched as a programme block on the channelBBC Kids inCanada, available on weekdays between 9:00 am and 3:00 pm. It served a similar schedule to the main channel. The block ceased alongside its main channel on 31 December 2018, with some programmes moving toKnowledge Kids.
In April 2015, BBC Worldwide signed withSouth Korean broadcasterKBS and Japanese broadcasterKids Station to launch CBeebies blocks on both channels.[10]
In April 2016, a channel for theMENA region was launched.[citation needed]
On 10 March 2017, CBeebies Asia was launched inTaiwan, replacingBBC Entertainment. CBeebies Asia has already launched inHong Kong,South Korea,Myanmar, thePhilippines,Mongolia,Indonesia,Singapore,Thailand,Laos,Maldives,Macau,Sri Lanka andMalaysia.[citation needed] On 13 April 2017, the localised CBeebies feed forLatin America ceased operations along withBBC Earth and BBC Entertainment.[citation needed]
On 5 April 2018, a feed was launched onDigiturk inTurkey.[11]
On 1 December 2019, the Australian feed launched in New Zealand onSky.
In March 2020, CBeebies launched on Vietnam's television provider Msky.
In July 2020, it was relaunched inIndia,[12] but with pan-Asian feed in Englishaudio track only.
On 31 October 2020, CBeebies and CBeebies en Español were removed from all cable and satellite providers in the United States.[13]
On 11 January 2022,BBC Kids launched as aFAST channel onPluto TV in theUnited States, which airs select CBeebies andCBBC shows from theBBC Studios catalogue. A version of the channel that airs Spanish-dubbed programming titled "Niños por BBC" was launched on the same day.[14] Both channels have since been removed. BBC Kids continues to be available onSamsung TV Plus in the United States.
On 15 December 2022, the Asian feed of CBeebies was launched as a preview channel onAstro, which replacedBoomerang on 1 February 2023.
A planned rebrand for the Polish version of CBeebies was cancelled in March 2024 after the departure of presenter Aneta Piotrowska.
It was announced that CBeebies onFoxtel in Australia would be removed on 31 July 2024, alongside BBC First, BBC Earth, BBC News, andA&E. However, 3 months after the Foxtel shutdown, CBeebies and BBC Kids were removed from Fetch TV on 31 October 2024, marking the end of CBeebies operations in Australia after nearly 16 years.[15]
In the UK, CBeebies is operated by theBBC Children's and Education division and part ofBBC North. The division is also responsible for CBBC and overall strategic responsibility for all of the BBC's domestic services for children rests with theDirector of Children's and Education, Patricia Hildago Reina (since 2020).[16] The direction of the domestic CBeebies channel itself rested withKay Benbow, the last Controller of the channel commissioning all CBeebies content across BBC television, online, interactive TV and radio.[17] She took over from the first controllerMichael Carrington in 2010.[18] In 2017 it was announced that the CBeebies controller post would close in December 2017 and all content for the CBeebies brand would be commissioned by a new, pan BBC Children's role entitled Head of Content.[19] In January 2021 it was announced that the decision would be reversed, and a new Head of Commissioning and Acquisitions for preschoolers (0–6) would be appointed.[20]
Internationally, CBeebies is owned byBBC Studios, which operate the brand.
The links between programmes on CBeebies are primarily achieved through the use ofin-vision continuity, using presenters to interact with the children. In the UK, links are recorded rather than broadcast live, as is the case on sister channel CBBC. They were originally recorded from studio TC0 atBBC Television Centre in London, but moved out in 2008 toTeddington Studios, and returned briefly in 2010. From September 2011 onwards, the links have been based at the BBC's northern base at studios HQ5 and HQ6 inDock10 studios atMediaCityUK following the move of the BBC Children's department there.
As is with the rest of the BBC's channels, there is a lack ofadvertisements and programmes are occasionally broken up by trailers for new shows, new seasons of said shows or events.
CBeebies uses many identities throughout the day during the breaks in between shows. Most of these idents feature the mascots, named the Bugs, also known as the Bugbies. The Bugbies are yellow blobs with faces, and are similar to the ones used by CBBC between 2002 and 2005, with the only difference being the colour: green for CBBC and yellow for CBeebies with both using purple as a similarity. Most idents before the late 2010s feature children saying the channel name twice once the logo appears except the Bedtime idents. The idents have used a moving blobby, slimy-like background or rounded shapes in any colour. Each block has its own ident, and the Bedtime Hour has a few different idents. In 2016, new idents were made for each block, replacing the old ones and the slimy moving background idents were rarely shown. Idents featuring the CBeebies House with it changing to effect the current season have been used from 2016 to 2023.
On 15 March 2023, CBeebies underwent a rebranding byBlue Zoo to fully-adopt the BBC's newcorporate branding, with the Bugs reimagined in a rounded square-shaped form to evoke the BBC logo, and a new suite of idents and animated scenes incorporating two- and three-dimensional elements.[21]
Live presenters have been on CBeebies since the channel's launch. They are used to fill the gaps between the shows that air on the channel, speaking directly to the child, doing certain activities such as arts and crafts, leading activities based on a topic from the website, showing viewers' birthday cards, and introducing the shows, well as hosting some of the shows. Many of the presenters have histories as characters in other services or on children's programmes.
The international variants feature different personalities per broadcast region.
While the lunchtime story is usually read by one of the regular presenters at about 1:00 with an often repeated story, the final show of each day, known as CBeebies Bedtime Stories (known asStòiridh inScottish Gaelic and airing onBBC Alba) is read by a guest storyteller, including well known actors, comedians, athletes, singers/musicians and past presenters of BBC children's television, includingDavid Walliams,Tom Hardy,Ed Sheeran,Steve Carell,Billie Eilish,Ryan Reynolds,Paloma Faith andJack Black.
The channel launched on 10 December 2013, though was rolled-out nationwide up to June 2014 (as didBBC News HD,CBBC HD andBBC Four HD).[29] The channel broadcasts on a commercially operated HD multiplex on Freeview, with limited geographic coverage compared with other multiplexes, and shares its stream withBBC Four HD as they air at different times. Prior to launch, the majority of CBeebies' HD output was broadcast onBBC HD before its closure on 26 March 2013. CBeebies HD was temporarily removed fromFreeview as well asBBC Four HD in June 2022, since the COM7 multiplex closed, and the two channels were on COM7, but they were re-added in September 2022.
The CBeebies website coincided with the launch of the UK channel on 11 February 2002 and showcases a child friendly site with activities themed to various CBeebies programmes, past and present, with games, songs and print-outs featuring for nearly all the shows. TheUnited Kingdom version also features links toCBeebies iPlayer, a child friendly version of theBBC iPlayer site or app featuring CBeebies programmes only, to CBeebies radio player and a dedicated micro site containing advice for raising children and toddlers called CBeebies Grown-ups, which was relaunched in 2011.[30][31][32]
The international channels and associated websites are run byBBC Studios. As a result, not all of them are the same and some channels have less extensive websites than other services. CBeebies channels inAsia, Australia, Poland, South Africa and the USA all have their own international variant.
BBC Video (and later2Entertain) have released several VHS/DVD compilations featuring shows airing on CBeebies at the time. As of 2014,Abbey Home Media releases the compilations.
| VHS or DVD title | Release date | Programmes and Episodes |
|---|---|---|
| CBeebies: The Best of Pre-School Television | 28 October 2002 | Fimbles: Tambourine, Tweenies: Invitations, Bill and Ben: Around and Around, Andy Pandy: A Noisy Supper, Teletubbies Everywhere: Ice Skating (Finland) |
| Playtime: Introducing Tikkabilla | 4 October 2004 | Tikkabilla in a 45-minute special, Bill and Ben: Go Fly a Kite/A Piece of Sky, Tweenies: Champions, Yoho Ahoy: Pancake with Poop/Paint with Booty, Little Robots: A Bit of Give and Take/By Myself, Andy Pandy: Rub-A-Dub/Potato Prints NOTE: This VHS/DVD also has the Andy Pandy song Honey in it, which comes after Rub-A-Dub. |
| CBeebies: The Ultimate Party Collection | 16 April 2007 | Big Cook Little Cook: Postman, Bobinogs: Happy Bobi-Birthday, The Roly Mo Show: Little Bo's Birthday, Higgledy House: Birthday, Charlie and Lola: This is Actually My Party, Tweenies: Fizz's Birthday, Balamory: The Lost Letter, The Koala Brothers: Penny's Birthday Surprise, Fimbles: Party Hat, Lunar Jim: Jim's Birthday Surprise, LazyTown: Miss Roberta, Me Too: The Disco Taxi |
| CBeebies: The Ultimate Summer Collection | 16 July 2007 | Balamory: Beach Bonanza, Fimbles: Seashell, Boogie Beebies: Dancing on the Sand, The Koala Brothers: Lolly's New Flavour, Tweenies: Summer, Me Too: The Juicer, Little Robots: Under the Stars, Higgledy House: Holiday, The Roly Mo Show: Too Hot, Big Cook Little Cook: Holiday Maker, Charlie and Lola: The Most Wonderfullest Picnic in the Whole Wide World |
| CBeebies: The Ultimate Christmas Collection | 12 November 2007 | LazyTown: Surprise Santa, Boogie Beebies: I Wish it Would Snow, Balamory: Panto, Fimbles: Tune, Lunar Jim: Too Many Fluffies, Charlie and Lola: Snow is my Favourite and My Best, Big Cook Little Cook: Father Christmas, The Roly Mo Show: Too Cold, Tikkabilla: Christmas Special, Tweenies: White Christmas |
| CBeebies: Get Set Go! | 21 July 2008 | Boogie Beebies: Sporty Boogie Charlie and Lola: I Am Really, Really, Really Concentrating, Me Too: Sports Day, The Large Family: The Big Race, Tweenies: Fast and Slow, LazyTown: Sports Day, Little Robots: Good Sport Sporty, Higgledy House: Fitness, The Koala Brothers: George's Big Race, Balamory: Fun Run |
| CBeebies: Bedtime | 20 October 2008 | Charlie and Lola: I Am Not Sleepy and I Will Not Go to Bed, Fimbles: Moon, Me Too: I Want to Say Goodnight, Teletubbies: Putting Angus to Bed, Jackanory Junior: The King of Capri, The Roly Mo Show: Sweet Dreams, Little Robots: Sweet Dreams Scary, Balamory: Bedtime, Tweenies: Sleepover, Charlie and Lola: Can You Maybe Turn the Light On? |
| CBeebies: Big Fun Time | 16 February 2009 | Harry and Toto: Stop and Go, Brum: Airport Adventure, Little Robots: Metal Makes Us Special, LazyTown: Little Sportacus, Lunar Jim: Rover's Big Dig, Higgledy House: Babysitting, Charlie and Lola: I Want to Be Much More Bigger Like You, The Large Family: Elephants Never Forget, Tweenies: When I'm Older, The Koala Brothers: Mitzi's Busy Day, Boogie Beebies: Roll Up, Roll Up, Tommy Zoom: Confidence, Me Too: Smiles and Frowns |
| CBeebies: Discover + Do | 25 May 2009 | Get Squiggling: Bloodhound, Tikkabilla: Dressing up and Houses, Teletubbies: Bubble Pictures, Balamory: Treasure Hunt, Charlie and Lola: I wish I could draw exactly like you, Boogie Beebies: Building, Tweenies: Growing Bulbs, Big Cook Little Cook: Explorer, Fimbles: Cardboard Box |
| CBeebies: Greatest Hits! | 26 April 2010 | Teletubbies: Follow My Leader, Balamory: Disco, Charlie and Lola: I Can Dance Like a Dancer, The Roly Mo Show: Making Music, 3rd and Bird: A Chorus for Us!, LazyTown: Rockin Robbie, Tweenies: Favourite Songs, Harry and Toto: Quiet and Loud, Boogie Beebies: Baby Boogie, Little Robots: The Sound of Music, Fimbly Songtime: Fimble Dance, Tommy Zoom: Boyz Noise, Big Cook Little Cook: Pop Star, The Koala Brothers: Josie's New Tune, Dirtgirlworld: Creepy Crawly Concert |
Five CBeebies-branded CDs have been released, 'CBeebies: The Official Album' in 2002, 'My CBeebies Album' in 2006, 'My CBeebies Album (Christmas Edition)' in 2007, 'CBeebies: Song Time' in 2010, and 'CBeebies: The Album' in 2012.[citation needed]
CBeebies Land opened in May 2014. Designed as a retheme of the previous Storybook Land and Old McDonald's Farmyard areas of theAlton Towers theme park, it contains a range of themed rides, attractions and live entertainment based around various popular CBeebies programmes. It offers various indoor and outdoor activities aimed at making an immersive and interactive world for children and young families.
The site based withinAlton Towers Resort inStaffordshire includes some of the more popular characters from the original channel for guests to meet. Described as a 'fun environment for pre-schoolers to play and learn' by critics.[33] Before CBeebies Land, Alton Towers did not have enough rides suitable for young children and since opening, CBeebies Land now makes visiting the amusement park exciting for younger children.
At the start of the year, the theme park sporadically released information on the characters involved in the development via their Facebook and Twitter accounts.
The fourth reveal on 7 January was that ofNina and the Neurons[36][non-primary source needed] It was an interactive science lab.
More additions to CBeebies Land were added in Spring 2022. In December 2021, it was confirmed that Alton Towers were adding three new attractions to CBeebies Land, there wasHey Duggee: The Big Adventure Badge which replacedTree Fu Tom Training Camp, Andy's Adventures Dinosaur Dig which replaced Mr Bloom's Alloment andJoJo and GranGran at Home which replacedCharlie and Lola's Moonsquirters & Green drops. On the 8th of September 2025, the latest addition to CBeebies Land was announced, a newBluey rollercoaster,[37] on the site of the now defunctPostman Pat's Parcel Post. It will open sometime during the 2026-2027 season.
The UK channel and the programmes it has broadcast have received a number of awards throughout the years. In 2002, the CBeebies Interactive TV Services were nominated in the Best Interactive Service category and CBeebies Online was nominated in the same category in 2005 at theBAFTA Children's Awards. The channel was awarded Best Children's Channel and Highly Commended at theBroadcast Digital Channel Awards 2006;[38] however, it achieved only nominations in 2007[39] and 2008.[40] The channel was also named Children's Channel of the Year at the BAFTA Children's awards in 2006,[41] 2010,[42] 2011,[43] 2013, 2016, 2018 and 2019[44] and was nominated for Channel of the Year in 2008.[45]
The CBeebies UK website was nominated Best Interactive Site at the 2007 BAFTA Children's awards,[41] and the brand as a whole also won the Best Design and Innovation award by theRoyal Television Society, whose awarding panel said "Its website is an integral part of the brand, with its TV production and online teams working together to create innovative game play and immersive web experiences."[46]
