CBBC and television programming for young people

I was told that I was arguably having my first "getting old" moment as I remarked on the move of CBBC, a children's television show broadcast by the BBC, to publish content only over the web by 2025. The broadcast television show will shut down. I remember reading about this news when it was first announced, but this week it sank in. CBBC was with me mornings and evenings when I was young, providing entertainment and engaging programming, ranging from shows like Arthur to MI High to Basil Brush.

I remember with great fondness Iain Stirling presenting on the channel; after shows, Iain would do various segments. He was often accompanied by Hacker T Dog, the etymology of his name is unbeknownst to me -- Hacker was never particularly adept with computers -- but was an amusing figure that made me smile. Hacker T Dog is a loveable puppet who is always surprising. I found myself reminiscing over his particular brand of comedy after watching a recommended clip on YouTube ^1 that I found after seeing some of his comedy referenced in a post on Bluesky I thought to myself "this is British children's television programming at its best."

More broadly, I cannot help but wonder what is being missed by having so much choice in programming that is available online today. I cannot say that the greater choice is objectively bad or good; indeed, had digital devices been more abundant in my childhood perhaps I wouldn't have tuned into CBBC as much. When I wanted to watch television, I had CBBC and indeed CITV; as I got older, I sometimes opted for programmes on the BBC, then gradually stopped watching CBBC. Thus is growing up.

The sentiment that something is being missed is a strange one; the younger generation today are living in a different digital paradigm. CBBC is still there, but will adapt to a new medium. Perhaps these changes will help ensure they retain their audience. Nevertheless, I want to note the personal impact of their programming. The comedy skits of Iain and Hacker between shows making me smile, Newsround helping me parse stories going on, amusing television shows that kept me occupied and provided a means through which I could relax. Here's to many more years of CBBC and their quality programming.