The future of children's media is an exciting and ever-evolving landscape, and as we embark on the year 2026, it's time to explore the trends that will shape this vibrant industry. With a renewed sense of optimism, we delve into the world of children's television, an industry that goes beyond mere entertainment, touching on identity, representation, and a sense of belonging.
Our public service mission is a guiding light, ensuring that children see their reflections on screen and feel a deep connection to their culture and community. In an era where over 50% of children's video consumption happens on YouTube, we must adapt and meet them where they are. This means not only increasing the prominence of UK public service broadcasters on these platforms but also evolving our content strategy to create public service media tailored specifically for online audiences.
Over the past year, we've made significant strides in this direction. We've expanded our presence on YouTube and Roblox, launched parenting support services like CBeebies Parenting, and increased our off-screen offerings with audio podcasts and live events. These initiatives have helped us reach an impressive 53% of 0-15-year-olds across our platforms, including TV, BBC iPlayer, web, and apps. However, challenges remain, particularly in funding and finding resources for original children's content.
But here's where it gets controversial... The Culture, Media, and Sport Committee's inquiry into children's TV and video content offers a glimmer of hope. It's a critical moment to recognize the immense value our industry brings and to secure its future for generations to come.
As we look ahead to 2026, a sense of optimism prevails. One trend that continues to dominate is nostalgia. Families want to share their beloved shows with their children, which is why we're bringing back classics like Balamory in Spring 2026. Balamory, a perfect example of public service TV, reflects the world, culture, and community of UK children.
Multi-generational viewing is at the core of our strategy, and the demand for shared experiences shows no signs of slowing down. Big family moments on main TV networks, like BBC One's Gladiators and The Traitors, remain vital parts of the TV landscape. Spin-offs of these primetime shows, such as Gladiators: Epic Pranks, keep parents and children laughing together, creating lasting memories.
Last year, we focused on bringing established brands like CBeebies to live events and cinemas, and we'll continue this approach in 2026. Our CBeebies specials, The Great Ice Cream Hunt and Cinderella Panto, have been hugely successful, and our CBeebies House Party live events were summer highlights, boosting brand love and awareness.
High-quality dramas based on strong literary IP, such as Lady Grace Mysteries and Crookhaven, will appeal to broader family audiences. Micro-dramas have gained popularity among young adults, and we'll explore shorter-form storytelling next year to engage teens and tweens with familiar formats.
Animation remains the heart of children's entertainment, with comedy animation and serialized Anime driving high engagement for 7-12-year-olds. Our home-grown slapstick series, Duck and Frog, from BBC Ignite, is a personal favorite, and I'm excited for audiences to discover this homegrown talent.
Championing emerging talent is a key focus for us, and we'll continue this trend as we expand our YouTube presence with original content. Our early experiments have been successful, with CBeebies House attracting over 3 million views globally and 1.5 million UK views across iPlayer and YouTube.
Social gaming platforms like Roblox offer a unique opportunity to bring beloved characters to life in interactive spaces. It's a powerful way to build fandom and guide audiences back to original content. Experiences like Planet Planners seamlessly blend learning and play, and we plan to expand our edutainment games across our own and third-party platforms, with a new Horrible Science Roblox experience on the horizon.
In 2026, we'll continue to deepen our connections with our audience, working in partnership across the industry to build brands that transcend platforms and screens. We'll support parents, carers, and teachers with content that informs, educates, and entertains, ensuring that children's media remains a vibrant and essential part of their lives.
Stay tuned for more insights and updates as we navigate the exciting world of children's media!
