Tuesday 11 November,
2.30pm, Committee Room 15, Palace of Westminster
Content producers, the Children's Media
Foundation and the Children's Laureate Frank Cottrell-Boyce
will appear before MPs in the opening evidence session of the
Culture, Media and Sport Committee's inquiry into children's TV
and video content.
Ahead of the session on Tuesday afternoon, the Committee is
today publishing the
written evidence received by the inquiry, which is exploring
the provision of children's TV and video
content in the UK and what can be done
to ensure future generations continue to have access to
high-quality British-made programming.
The written evidence, which includes submissions from
broadcasters, production companies, streaming services, industry
bodies and individuals, uncovers the changing nature of children
and young people's viewing habits and pressures on traditional
broadcasters of children's television.
Ofcom figures show that YouTube and other video sharing platforms
now make up the majority (40%) of children's total video viewing.
The broadcasting regulator's
own evidence to the Committee outlines how just 53% of
children aged 4-15 now watch broadcast TV every week compared
with 87% in 2016.
The traditional broadcasters, like ITV and the BBC, face rising
costs and smaller budgets, which affects the amount of investment
they can make in new content. There are fewer original programmes
being made for British kids.
Next week's evidence session will explore the implications of
these trends. Questions are likely on the value of good quality
TV for children, how it helps them learn and develop and
understand their place in the world.
The session may also cover the challenges brought about by the
changes in technology and young audience behaviour, what it means
for the business model for making children's TV in the UK, and
what might be done to ensure high quality and public service
content can be found easily in the places that the audience is
already moving to.
With the second panel featuring one of the brains behind
Horrible Histories Lion TV's Richard Bradley, YouTuber
and TV presenter Maddie Moate, and Oli Hyatt of animation company
Blue Zoo Productions, there could also be discussion about
working with YouTube and the role of live action entertainment,
education and animation in children's television and content.
Witnesses
From 2.30pm:
-
Greg Childs, Children's Media Foundation
-
Frank Cottrell-Boyce, Children's Laureate
From 3.30pm:
-
Richard Bradley, co-founder and Chief Creative
Officer, Lion TV Role
-
Oli Hyatt, Co-founder and joint Managing
Director, Blue Zoo Productions
-
Maddie Moate, TV presenter, YouTuber, Author
