World Screen Video Interview: CBeebies’ Kay Benbow

NEW YORK: In this video interview, Kay Benbow, the recently appointed controller of CBeebies, discusses the global potential of the new music-based property ZingZillas and how the show complements the preschool channel’s overall lineup, which she now oversees.

Earlier this month, Benbow was appointed as the new controller of the hit preschool channel CBeebies. A 20-year veteran of the children’s television industry, Benbow has spent the lion’s share of her career at the BBC. Her most recent post, as head of CBeebies’ production, animation and acquisitions, saw her leading all in-house production and acquiring new programming. She is credited with bringing to the network top-rated shows such as Timmy Time, Chuggington, Wibbly Pig and Driver Dan’s Story Train. She’s served as executive producer on a number of series, among them Something Special, In the Night Garden, Numberjacks and the recently launched ZingZillas, a 52×22-minute music-based property. ZingZillas made its debut in the U.K. in early April and Benbow has high hopes that the show, distributed by BBC Worldwide, will travel and resonate with children internationally.