CBC Further Boosts Kids’ Content Offer Amid COVID-19 Crisis

CBC has new original content in the works for children and their caregivers, including a Q&A with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, as many families across the country are spending more time at home due to the coronavirus pandemic.

For preschoolers, CBC Kids is introducing the daily program CBC Kids Hang Time with Tony and Janaye featuring music, stories and games, available live on the ​CBC Kids’ Facebook page​. Starting April 5, CBC Kids programming will be extended by 1.5 hours on Sunday mornings, with content for preschoolers aged 2 to 6 airing on CBC from 6 to 9:30 a.m.

Additionally, the Indigenous preschool series Anaana’s Tent launches all episodes on CBC Gem on Friday, April 17. There’s also the video series Studio K from Home that features the CBC Kids hosts as they give tips on staying healthy and having fun at home.

For older kids, the podcast The Story House, from CBC Podcasts and CBC Kids and run by CBC Kids hosts Gary the Unicorn and Mr. Orlando, is presenting The Story Store Shorties. The animated kids’ comedy series The Strange Chores premieres on Saturday, April 11 on CBC and CBC Gem. It will be followed by the premiere of the CBC Gem original series Detention Adventure.

Among the new content aimed at tweens is the seventh season of the dance dramedy The Next Step on CBC Gem on Friday, April 10, with a new episode available every Friday on the streaming service. CBC Kids News​, the news site for Canadian kids ages 9 to 13, continues to operate remotely and publish age-appropriate and informative daily updates on the ​COVID-19 situation. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau will answer kids’ questions about the nationwide effort against COVID-19 in a video conference that will be available simultaneously on the CBC Kids News ​and​ MAJ ​platforms and broadcast on ​CBC TV,​​ CBC Gem​and I​CI TÉLÉ on Sunday, April 5 at 9 a.m.