Fears over children’s TV cast shadow on Baftas

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Leading presenters and programme-makers joined forces at the Children’s Bafta awards last night to give warning that young people’s television would disintegrate unless the Government acted.

BBC shows including Charlie and Lola and In The Night Garden were honoured at the Baftas, held at the Hilton Hotel in London. However, a recent Ofcom report found that broadcasters were focusing on cartoons and US imports and spending less cash on homemade programmes. ITV has pulled out of children’s production, while the BBC has cut its children’s budget by ten per cent.

The Bafta Special Award went to Mick Robertson, presenter of the ITV 1970s favourite, Magpie. He is now a Bafta and Emmy-award winning producer of programmes on bullying and healthy eating. He said: “All my programmes have been in the factual entertainment genre, which is fast disappearing from screens. I hope ways will be found to support factual television for children. They should enjoy a rich and varied viewing choice.”

Laurence Bowen, producer of the nominated show My Life as a Popat, said: “Unless immediate action is taken the 2007 kids’ Baftas will be seen historically as the defining wake for children’s TV.”

He urged parents and producers to sign a petition on the Number 10 website calling for measures to support children’s television. The Commons Media Select Committee has called for a slice of the licence fee to go to rival broadcasters to make children’s programmes. The BBC dominated the categories at the Baftas and claimed 10 awards.

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