BBC Children’s & Education Expands Reach with New Launches

BBC Children’s & Education is expanding its reach with the launch of new live events, fresh YouTube channels, new classroom-ready content and the first production from the BBC Ignite program.

“We are constantly evolving the service we provide to children, parents and teachers to ensure the BBC remains a key player for young audiences in the U.K. and beyond,” said Patricia Hidalgo, director of BBC Children’s & Education. “Our mission is to provide trusted, inclusive and accessible home‑grown public-service content that helps children learn, stay informed and be entertained, wherever they are. By commissioning digital‑first formats, developing more school‑ready content and bringing communities together, all while supporting U.K. creativity, we want to reach more children and families than ever before.”

To bring communities together, BBC Children’s & Education is launching CBeebies Bedtime Stories Read and Raves at libraries across the U.K., in partnership with the British Library’s Living Knowledge Network. The events will invite children to celebrate the power of storytelling with their favorite CBeebies presenters and get ready to rave in the library.

A host of new YouTube channels for older children are launching as well. The channels include Epic Facts, showcasing the best of factual entertainment, and Non-Stop Chaos, delivering laughs from CBBC shows. The expanded portfolio will also feature YouTube-first commissions available on BBC iPlayer, including a digital-first The Next Step micro-drama debuting this month.

Duck and Frog, the first production to emerge from the BBC Ignite animation program, is set to launch on BBC iPlayer on February 13 and air on CBBC on February 16. Created by Sam Shaw and produced by Sun & Moon, the series is a slapstick comedy set in a modern British world. The second round of the BBC Ignite scheme is underway, with seven shortlisted projects progressing to stage three of development.

BBC Children’s & Education is also rolling out a new package of classroom-ready content for primary and secondary schools via BBC Bitesize. New resources include a fresh series of Live Lessons, topical assembly films and new curriculum materials in English, Religious Studies and more Horrible Science.