BBC Children’s reveals raft of new commissions
July 6, 2022
BBC Children’s has unveiled a host of new programming for all generations enjoy watching together across CBeebies, CBBC and BBC iPlayer.
With these new shows, produced across Britain, BBC Children’s says it continues to reflect the lives of children in the UK, with every age able to see something of themselves in the BBC’s new programming offer for them.
CBBC and BBC iPlayer
Kicking thins off for older audience is reality series Football Academy (15×28’). Produced by Zig Zag Productions this documentary series follows the young players and staff of Southampton FC Academy. Narrated by Alan Carr, the series sees first hand the highs and lows of this season’s intake of kids. Across the series, Southampton first team and England International players James Ward-Prowse, Nathan Redmond, Theo Walcott and Kyle Walker-Peters take part in football challenges with the Academy kids. Plus there are appearances from footballers Mo Salah, Micah Richards and Alan Shearer, himself a graduate of the Southampton Academy.
Following on from the hit TV show, So Awkward, which has been streamed over 90 million times on BBC iPlayer, comes So Awkward: Kids Camp, a live action TV Movie (80’) from Channel X North to be filmed in Todmorden. Audience favourite Lily Hampton takes a job at a kids summer camp, with the ulterior motive of getting her big break on a reality show that’s being shot on the grounds. Will Lily’s quest for fame stay on track?
Based on the novel by Elle McNicoll, winner of the Blue Peter Book Award and the Overall Waterstones Children’s Book Prize, A Kind Of Spark is a drama live action series (10×25’) from 9 Story Media Group. It tells the inspirational story of Addie, a bright and sparky autistic girl dreaming of acceptance in a conservative community. Filmed in Manchester, Addie’s desire to be herself and protect her sister from prejudice becomes entwined with a historical mystery of two sisters in the 16th Century.
As previously announced, BBC Children’s will increase the amount of UK produced animation for audiences aged 7+ over the coming years, with the brand new title Digital Girl being the first of many. In the heart of Frisco City, in the hyper-connected near future, two mysterious teen superheroes, Digital Girl and Hack Girl engage in an epic digital battle for the future of the city, its inhabitants and their freedom. Animated drama series Digital Girl (26×22’) from Cyber Group Studios will be produced by A Productions animation studio in Bristol.
CBeebies and BBC iPlayer
For younger viewers, Olga Da Polga, a mixed-media series (13×11’) made in Scotland is based on the highly popular books by Paddington Bear creator Michael Bond. They tell the story of Olga da Polga, a pet guinea pig who lives with her owners, eight year-old Karen and her mum and dad. Made by Maramedia the series features a unique blend of live action with CG visual effects for the animals’ mouths, as well as colourful animation for Olga’s imaginative tales.
Roots & Fruits, from Plum Films in Edinburgh, is an animated series (26×5’) offering fascinating facts, exclusive interviews, and unforgettable performances live on stage. Roots & Fruits sees a medley of fruits and veggies come to life, creating a positive connection for nought to six years audiences and encouraging them to recognise and appreciate all types of fruit and veggies through comedy, catchy tunes and amazing fun facts.
Vida The Vet (52×11’) is an animated series the follows 10 year-old Vida, an animal doctor who nurtures the charming and silly woodland creatures who live outside her home. Is there a fox with a sprained paw? A turtle with a cracked shell? A tiger with an aching tooth? Then Vida is the vet for the job. Created by Spin Master Entertainment.
Patricia Hidalgo, Director BBC Children’s and Education, says: “I am excited to see the wide range of content and high quality titles we have secured for children of all ages and their families to enjoy together over the coming months.”
Other new titles commissioned for CBeebies and BBC iPlayer are Andy’s Global Adventures (BBC Studios NHU, 30×15’), Get Set Galactic (Hello Halo, 26×22’), Ranger Hamza’s Eco Quest (Hello Halo, 20×15’) which join new series’ of JoJo & Gran Gran (BBC Studios Kids & Family, 43×11’) and Hey Duggee (Studio AKA, 40×7’)
Other new titles commissioned for CBBC and BBC iPlayer are Best In The World (Electric Robin, 40×15’), Deadly Predators (BBC Studios NHU, 7×28’), Clipheads (Strawberry Blonde, 40×15’), Game On Grandparents (Electric Robin, 10×20’), Meet The McQueens (w/t, Big Little Fish Television, 20×15’), Wow – That’s Amazing (Beyond Productions North, 30×15’) which all join new series of Malory Towers (S3+4, King Bert, 13×25’) and specials of Dodger (Universal International Studios, a division of Universal Studio Group, 3×45’)