CBBC Unveils New Lineup

LONDON: Joe Godwin has been tapped as the new director of BBC Children’s, assuming oversight for the preschool service CBeebies and for CBBC, which unveiled its new winter and spring lineup today.

Godwin is currently the head of news, factual and entertainment at BBC Children’s. He is expected to take up the new post in November, succeeding Richard Deverell, who has become COO of BBC North. He will based in Salford Quays as part of BBC Children’s move to BBC North in 2011. Reporting to Godwin will be Damian Kavanagh, controller of CBBC, and Michael Carrington, the controller of CBeebies.

Kavanagh today unveiled CBBC’s upcoming slate this year. Announcing the schedule, he said: "CBBC has had an incredible year so far—not only were we voted children’s channel of the year at Bafta and Broadcast but we’re reaching more six- to 12-year-olds than any other children’s channel in the U.K. Also the launch of CBBC’s iPlayer has meant our audience can watch their favourite programs whenever they want. Last week Jana Bennett announced that more funding—at least £25 million over three years—has been indentified for children’s programming, which is in response to the BBC Trust review earlier this year. We’ll be discussing this with them in the near future. In light of the broader pressures children’s programming is facing this is fantastic news and we hope it’ll help us continue making distinctive, original and home-grown programmes that empower, excite and enthral the nation’s six- to 12-year-olds."

Highlights of the upcoming season include The Singing Coach, a 12×28-minute production from Twenty Twenty for a 2010 premiere; two one-off specials from Newsround about bullying and the dangers of the internet; and Junior MasterChef. On the scripted slate, meanwhile, there are eight dramas, and the comedy Hounded. CBBC also announced new series for 2011:  the 13×28-minute Dead Puppets Society, with award-winning comedian Johnny Vegas, and the futuristic Roboidz.