CBBC

Current CBBC Logo

CBBC (a contraction of the original name, Children's BBC) is the brand name used for the BBC's children's television programmes, and currently specifically refers to those programmes aimed at children between the ages of 6 and 12. Prior to being refocused solely on the 6-12 group, the CBBC/Children's BBC name was used to refer to all of the BBC's output for under-16s; the tightening in focus followed the launch of dedicated sub-brands for preschool-age children (CBeebies) and teenagers (BBC Switch).

The branding "Children's BBC" was introduced on 9 September 1985 with the launch of a dedicated block of programme presentation aimed at younger viewers; previously the BBC had broadcast children's programming using regular duty announcers. The launch presenter for this block, and thus the first CBBC presenter of the current format, was Phillip Schofield. During the 1990s, Children's BBC began to be referred to informally on-air as 'CBBC' (this occurred at around the same time that ITV's rival service "Children's ITV" began to be referred to as CITV in a similar manner). The official billing name of Children's BBC remained in place, however, until the BBC's network-wide branding refreshment of October 1997, when the official on-air branding changed to CBBC. (CITV officially adopted their short name in their own branding refresh the following year).

CBBC currently broadcasts as a 12-hour-a-day digital channel (the CBBC Channel) available on most UK digital platforms. The brand is also used for the broadcast of children's programmes on BBC One (weekday afternoons) and BBC Two (mornings, daily). CBBC programmes are also broadcast in high definition alongside other BBC content on the BBC HD channel, generally from 4pm to 6pm on weekdays unless the channel is covering other events. BBC-produced children's programming in native languages of Scotland and Wales also airs, on BBC Alba and S4C respectively.

CBBC is operated by the "BBC Children's" division of the BBC's production arm BBC Vision. The division is managed in the East Tower of BBC Television Centre in London; since 2008, CBBC continuity links have also been broadcast from here. BBC Children's is set to move to Salford Quays as part of the relocation of several BBC departments to the North of England in the coming years. The BBC Children's division also operates CBeebies and BBC Switch. The management structure of the division is that ultimate oversight of the wider Children's division is in the hands of the Controller of Children's (this has, since February 2006, been Richard Deverell), with creative and editorial decisions being made by a Creative Director of each of the three units; the current creative director of CBBC is Anne Gilchrist.

Some CBBC programmes are produced in London, with others coming from studio bases or other locations around the UK.

History

The first children-specific strand on BBC television was For The Children, first broadcast on what was then the single 'BBC Television Service' on Saturday 24 April 1937; it was only ten minutes long. It lasted for two years, taken off air when television was closed due to the Second World War in 1939. Following the war, For The Children recommenced on Sunday 7 July 1946, with a twenty minute slot every Sunday afternoon, with the addition of programmes for pre-school children under the banner For The Very Young.

In 1952, the "For The Children" / "For The Very Young" branding was dropped; older children's programmes (such as Blue Peter) would now be introduced by regular announcers, whilst younger children's programming was broadcast as Watch With Mother. The 1964 launch of BBC Two allowed additional room for children's programming, with an edition of Play School technically being the first televised programme to air on BBC Two due to a power cut blacking out the previous night's planned channel launch event programming. On 1 October 1980, "Watch With Mother" was replaced by See-Saw.

Meanwhile, weekday afternoon children's programmes on BBC One were introduced by the usual off-screen continuity announcer, though often specially-designed menus and captions would be used. This ended on Monday 9 September 1985, when Children's BBC a new format with in-vision continuity announcers was launched. This initially encompassed programming on BBC One between 15:55 and 17:35.

By the mid/late 1980s a pattern was established whereby BBC One, following the introduction of its daytime schedules and the move of schools' programmes to BBC Two, would broadcast a 25-minute block at circa 10am usually including the 'main' preschooler show (Play School, then from 1988 Playbus/Playdays) and children's birthday cards; BBC Two would show a 5-10 minute programme or programmes at circa 1pm (again aimed at preschoolers, and for a time introduced with a white-background variant of the CBBC logo), and then BBC One would run the afternoon block aimed at older children. Weekend programmes consisted chiefly of Saturday morning programmes on BBC One, such as Going Live! and similar shows. CBBC would also broadcast on weekday mornings during school holidays on either BBC One or Two.

Further changes to the schedule were rolled out during the 1990s and 2000s, including the introduction of Sunday morning programmes on BBC Two, initially in the Open University's summer break and then subsequently year-round; the introduction of a regular weekday morning 'breakfast show' format, also on Two; the relocation of the 10am preschooler show to BBC Two and the relocation of the 1pm preschooler show to run on BBC One before the older children's block.

The launch of digital channel BBC Choice in 1998 saw the channel broadcasting children's programming in a Saturday afternoon slot; subsequently this was replaced by the daily 6am-7pm service CBBC On Choice, which was itself the precursor of the current CBBC Channel and CBeebies services.

The current general schedule for children's shows on BBC terrestrial TV (as of 2009) is as follows:

• CBeebies content (ages 0-6) from 6am-7am (BBC Two daily), 8.30am-10.30am (BBC Two weekdays) and 3.05pm-3.25pm (BBC One weekdays)
• CBBC content (ages 6-12) from 7am-8.30am BBC Two (weekdays), 7am-12pm BBC Two (Saturday), 7am-10am BBC Two (Sunday) and 3.25pm-5.15pm BBC One (weekdays).
• BBC Switch (ages 12-17) has a programming block generally running 12pm to circa 2pm on Saturdays on BBC Two, though this does not run every week of the year and may be shortened or moved if event coverage dictates.

These schedules are subject to change, particularly around holiday times; the current holiday-time arrangement sees CBeebies content on BBC Two run 6am-8am followed by CBBC content 8am-11am.

In 2009, a report published by the BBC Trust found that scheduling changes which took place in February 2008, where programming ended at 17:15, had led to a decrease in viewers.^[1] This was especially noticeable for Blue Peter and Newsround, two of CBBC's flagship programmes; Blue Peter is now recording its lowest viewing numbers since it started in 1958, and Newsround now receives less than 100,000 viewers compared to 225,000 in 2007.^[2][3]. The changes were made following the BBC's loss of the rights to soap opera Neighbours, which had for many years been broadcast between the end of CBBC and the start of the 6pm news; when the decision to move daytime editions of The Weakest Link from BBC Two to One to fill the gap, CBBC had to move to an earlier slot, as "..Link" is longer than Neighbours was.

Programming

CBBC produces a wide range of programme types, including drama, news, entertainment, and documentary and factual programming. CBBC therefore is often seen as offering a similar mix of formats to the wider BBC, albeit tailored to suit a young audience.

The longest-running CBBC programme is the magazine show Blue Peter. Other notable current and former CBBC programmes include Grange Hill, Newsround, Live and Kicking and recent hit The Story of Tracy Beaker.

Presentation

From its launch in 1985 until 1994, Children's BBC was presented from the regular continuity announcer's booth in the BBC One network control area, which had a camera fitted such that the presenter could appear in vision; as it remained an operational continuity booth, the presenter would partly direct their own links by way of vision and sound mixers built into the studio desk.

The booth became known as 'the Broom Cupboard' due to its small size (the term was first used to refer to a smaller temporary booth, but was later retroactively applied to the main booth). The plain booth wall behind the presenter would be livened up with elements of set dressing, VT monitors and pictures sent in by viewers. Occasionally, when CBBC was going out on BBC Two rather than One due to events coverage, the presenter would be located in the BBC Two continuity booth, which was not set dressed for CBBC. This was because the BBC One booth was being used for the content going out on BBC One.

There were two presentation studios - larger than the Broom Cupboards but smaller than full programme studios - known as Pres A and Pres B. It was not initially thought economically viable to use these for daily CBBC links, hence the use of the Broom Cupboard. However, by 1987 these studios were being used for the mid-morning 'birthday card' slots and weekend and holiday morning strands such as 'But First This". The afternoon CBBC remained in the Broom Cupboard.

In 1994, Pres A was refurbished and became the regular home for all CBBC presentation including the weekday afternoon block; the presenters no longer had to self-op the broadcast equipment, and the larger set allowed for more dynamic presentation, with more presenters, characters, features, games and guests. A new 3D version of the then logo of Children's BBC was commissioned to mark the move.

In 1997, CBBC moved again when 'Studio A' was decommissioned and CBBC moved to the purpose-built Studio 9 (officially 'TC9'), adjacent to the Blue Peter Garden on the roof of BBC Television Centre. The first broadcasts from Studio 9 were in June 1997; this was followed in September by the launch of the new-look CBBC branding. TC9 continued to be the regular home of CBBC broadcasts on BBC One and Two until 2005 and was also used to record CBBC On Choice links between 2000 and 2002.

In 2002, a refurbished Studio A - now split into two studios, TC2 and TC0 - was brought into service. The larger section, TC2, became the home of CBBC Channel links, plus the channel's XChange and UK Top 40 programmes, whilst CBeebies operated from the smaller TC0. (CBeebies remained in TC0 until moving to Teddington in 2008).

In 2005 the studio arrangements for CBBC were changed again. The CBBC Channel moved from TC2 to TC9, with BBC One / Two links and the UK Top 40 show moving to TC10 - formerly news studio N1 - located on the sixth floor of TV Centre.

In December 2006, there was a reduction in CBBC facilities. A colour separation overlay set was assembled in TC12, and this became the home of all CBBC links on BBC One, BBC Two and CBBC Channel until September 2007. There was also a reduction in the number of on air presenters, with hosts including Angellica Bell and Simon Grant leaving and not being replaced. The last live CBBC links from TC9 were broadcast on Friday 1 December 2006; the studio was then mothballed but has since been brought back into use for individual programmes including TMi and SMart.

CBBC's presenters during the CSO era were Gemma Hunt (BBC One weekdays) Anne Foy (CBBC Channel) and Ayesha Asantwaa (weekends). Hunt and Foy switched slots in February 2007. Ted Robbins appeared (in character as The Governor from The Slammer) during holiday periods.

On 3 September 2007 the CSO studio was dropped in a relaunch which saw a small real set built in TC12.^[4][5] As part of the relaunch, new logos and presenters were introduced. The design of the new 'office' set has been compared to the original 'broom cupboard', though unlike the 'broom cupboard' the 'office' is not a functioning continuity suite.

Ed Petrie became the chief continuity presenter, accompanied by puppet sidekick Oucho T. Cactus (operated and voiced by Warrick Brownlow-Pike). The duo presented live, weekday afternoon links on the CBBC Channel with Petrie voicing pre-recorded, out-of-vision announcements during the weekday strand on BBC One and BBC Two.

Anne Foy presented pre-recorded in-vision links at the weekend alongside her dog, Elliot, until her departure in March 2008. Foy was replaced by two new presenters, Ben Hanson and Ciaran Joyce, who previously appeared in CBBC show The Story of Tracy Beaker. The duo previously presented in-vision links at the weekend, until December 2008 when they were replaced by Dan and Jeff (Daniel Clarkson and Jefferson Turner). Holly Walsh also presented weekend and holiday cover for a time during 2008, with a sidekick (either a talking brain - Dunceton - or 'Juan the cleaner'). Dan and Jeff took on weekdays for a time while Ed and Oucho were absent, and weekend links for the CBBC Channel were taken over by a new duo, Iain Stirling and Hacker T. Dog.

Ed & Oucho left CBBC continuity on 17 April 2009 to concentrate on programming work, including their new weekend show 'Transmission Impossible' and the 'Excellent Inventions' series. Sam and Mark presented the afternoon links for two weeks, followed by Dan and Jeff until 2 July 2009. On Friday 3 July 2009 Dan and Jeff took on weekday mornings during the holiday period; Iain and Hacker (from Scoop) started to present the live weekday afternoon links.

Presenters from 2007-present

Guest/relief continuity presenters

Former presenters

Notable former presenters have included Phillip Schofield, Andy Crane, Andi Peters, Philippa Forrester, Zoë Ball, Toby Anstis, Chris Jarvis, Kirsten O'Brien, Ana Boulter, Angellica Bell, Andrew Hayden-Smith, Gemma Hunt, Michael Underwood, Sophie McDonnell, Matt Edmondson, Anne Foy, Simon Grant and Holly Walsh

Logos

These logos show how the visual style of CBBC has developed since its launch:

September 1985 - February 1991	February 1991 - October 1997	October 1997 - February 2002
February 2002 - September 2005	October 2005 - September 2007	September 2007 - present

Other services

CBBC Extra

CBBC Extra is a free interactive television service from CBBC provided by BBC Red Button. It is accessible from the CBBC Channel by pressing red and then selecting CBBC Extra. It can also be accessed from any other BBC channel by pressing red and going to page number 570. The service differs across digital platforms, for example digital satellite (i.e: Sky) viewers can access a video loop. Its availability on digital terrestrial (Freeview) is dependent upon BBCi not showing other interactive services, such as major sports events coverage.^[6]

CBBC Extra offers 'Nev's Horoscopes', games, the UK Top 40, jokes sent in by viewers and a weekly competition.

Former presenters of CBBC Extra include Matt Edmondson, Rani Price, Sophie McDonnell, Mohini Sule and Anne Foy. The current presenters are Dan and Jeff.

CBBC Quiz

This feature allows the viewers to play a quiz. Viewers can also send in their question which could be shown to the nation. There are 5 levels, each containing 5 questions. CBBC Quiz can be found by pressing the red button on a BBC television channel and keying in page 570. Viewers then arrive at CBBC Extra and can then select the option that reads CBBC Quiz. Alternatively, viewers can tune in to the CBBC Channel, press the red button and select CBBC Quiz from the main menu.

Website

The CBBC website provides a wide range of activities for viewers, such as games, puzzles, message boards and frequently updated news feeds.

My CBBC

My CBBC is a feature to the new CBBC website. It allows the user to create their own "den" or room which the can furnish. It is also possible to create your own avatar. The new feature is heavily promoted on the CBBC Channel.

My CBBC is good for children age 7–11 years old; they make their own den talk to people. However the children can only use a set of preset messages and are only to talk to people with whom they have a mutual agreement. This is where it differs from other social networking sites.

Adventure Rock

Screenshot from Public Beta Testing of Adventure Rock

Adventure Rock (previously named CBBC World) is a virtual online world that launched on 1 March 2008. Press releases have stated "it would allow digitally literate children the access to characters and resources they had come to expect. Users would be able to build an online presence, known as an avatar, then create and share content."

The emphasis on the system is on safety and responsibility, with no chatrooms or the financial aspects available in other online worlds such as Second Life.

Controller of Children's BBC Richard Deverell said: "Adventure Rock is a good example of the way we need to go. The thing that interests me is that children are at the vanguard. And that is where we are taking Children's BBC."^[7] A new game, Tronji, has also been created.

References

BBC portal

External links

• CBBC at BBC Online
• CBBC - A new look at BBC Online
• "And Now, For Younger Viewers..." A history of CBBC continuity from 1985 to 1994, from Off The Telly
• The Broom Cupboard.co.uk, a history of CBBC continuity from 1985 to 1992, with over 150 pictures
• BBC considers end of children's shows on BBC 1 (Guardian)