BBC Children’s has announced a slate of new programming for CBeebies, CBBC and BBC iPlayer.

The new shows include Style It Out, presented by Emma Willis, which will search for Britain’s next young stylist, Hamza Yassin will front Ranger Hamzas Eco Quest Minis to “show how even small tasks can make a difference to the environment we live in”, Nadiya Hussain and her Fact Pack team will delve into the bags of people who have amazing jobs in What’s In Your Bag?, animation Big Lizard, which sees a young girl befriend a sixteen-fingered lizard in space and a new Science-based gameshow called Get Set Galactic, is aimed at aspiring young scientists.

Director of BBC Children’s and Education, Patricia Hidalgo said: “Our latest commissions, full of homegrown talent and shot across the UK, continue to offer our audience a real breadth of high quality entertaining and educational content that only the BBC can deliver. With beautiful animations, unique gameshows, factual content, enthralling dramas and even a musical or two, there is a real feast for kids families to enjoy”.

CBeebies

Get Set Galactic (26 x 22’) will hit screens this spring – two teams of young scientists visit S.T.A.R.S (Space Technology & Research Station) to take on a meteoric mission of fun challenges to win out-of-this world prizes in this fun and immersive physical gameshow. Exploring science themes from gravity, the Solar System to pollination, the teams join scientist presenters Ayo Sokale, Sam McKaylin and James Stewart to ‘Try it and Test it’! Made by Hello Halo Kids.

New series I Can Do It, You Can Too (30×14’) will see dynamic kids pass on their awe-inspiring abilities to young beginners. From riding a bike to catching a ball, the series celebrates the power of peer to peer interactions and showcases the fun and amazing sense of achievement that comes with picking up a new skill. Join our talented youngsters as they show CBeebies-aged apprentices (and those at home) how to master everyday activities and challenging sports, with have-a-go presenter Aaron Roach Bridgeman on hand to cheer them on. Produced by Common Story.

CBeebies will also play host to an array of amazing animations, including new series Yukee (52×7’). Yukee, who is of Northern Irish and Chinese heritage, along with her beloved ukulele offers young audiences a gentle, child-centred introduction to music – from the rhythmic pitter-patter of raindrops, to a rocking guitar solo. Yukee’s world isn’t just about music, it’s also about friendships and connecting with the natural world around her giving a strong foundation for lifelong music learning and enjoyment. Yukee is set in Northern Ireland and made by Score Draw Media.

Nikhil & Jay (52×11’) is based on award-winning author Chitra Soundar’s book series Nikhil and Jay inspired by her own dual heritage family of British and South Asian heritage. Nikhil & Jay follows the adventures of two young brothers, whose Mum is Indian by heritage and Dad is English. Also featuring grandparents, uncles and aunts, both Indian and English, their life is a rich blend of customs, traditions, festivals, foods and music. A family sitcom, Nikhil & Jay celebrates the similarities and differences as two cultures come together with fast paced wit and visual humour. Nikhil & Jay is made by King Banana TV, Paper Owl Films and CAKE.

Imagine having a whole alien planet to explore, and imagine having a new best friend to explore it with. Now imagine that friend is a giant, fun-loving, sixteen-fingered lizard! That’s exactly what happens to Cosima in new show Big Lizard (52×7’) when her astronaut Dad’s space rocket crash-lands on an alien planet, Proxima B, light years from Earth. With their ship’s computer, DORIS, damaged in the crash, they must make their home on this unknown world aided by Cosima’s new best friend, Big Lizard. This animated series about exploration, adventure, friendship and science is made by Beakus and Je Suis Bien Content.

After the success of As You Like It at Shakespeare’s Globe (available now on BBC iPlayer), CBeebies will return to the stage for Twelfth Night, performed in London’s open-air Globe Theatre. CBeebies will give the Shakespearean comedy a unique twist for this tale of love and mistaken identity. With plenty of songs and dancing to get fingers snapping and toes tapping, the performances will be recorded in front of a live audience before airing on CBeebies and BBC iPlayer in 2024. Produced by BBC Studios Kids & Family.

In a co-commission with BBC Education, music and storytelling will come together in Musical Storyland with the BBC Philharmonic. It is a place where children’s favourite fairy-tales and traditional folktales from around the world are retold and re-imagined with the magical, musical touch of musicians from the BBC Philharmonic. Aimed at 3 to 6 year olds, there will be tales from Europe, West Africa, India, Jamaica and China, with specially composed scores reflecting a diversity of musical traditions. BBC Teach will also be providing accompanying classroom resources.

Wildlife cameraman and presenter Hamza Yassin will be back with series two of Ranger Hamza’s Eco Quest, including a new spin-off series called Ranger Hamza’s Eco Quest Minis (25×3’), airing in May. The mini episodes will demonstrate how small tasks that everyone can do can make a big difference to the environment we live in. Made by Hello Halo Kids.

After the success of What On Your Head?, the format from Gold Wala is back – bigger, funnier and more curious than before. This time, Nadiya Hussain and her Fact Pack team are delving into the bags of people who have amazing jobs, incredible cultures and exciting hobbies for What’s In Your Bag? (30×7’)

 

CBBC

Presented by Emma Willis alongside stylist to the stars Ayishat Akanbi, Style it Out (11×28’) will search for the next generation of fashion forward designers and stylists – but there’s a twist. Can the young contestants fly in the face of fast fashion and create their own designs sustainably, while celebrating their individuality and creativity? It’s out with the new and in with the old as they re-use, reclaim, upcycle and embellish fabulous fashion using only vintage, second-hand, sustainable materials and clothing otherwise destined for landfill. Watch out for plenty of surprises along the way as they discover who they’re styling for – it could be their headmaster, a popstar or even a labradoodle! Made by Lion Television Limited.

Airing this summer and produced by Red Monk Studio and First Generation Films, Home Sweet Rome (13×30’) focuses on 13-year-old Lucy, who moves from America to start a new life in Rome with her dad and stepmother Francesca – who happens to be a famous Italian pop star. Lucy will have to adapt to these big changes whilst navigating through all the growing pains of being a teenager – not easy when her best friend Kyla is now 6000 miles away. Can Lucy embrace a different way of life and might it even spark her own path to pop stardom?

Brilliant Bikers (w/t) (10×22’) will explore what it takes to become a BMX champion racer. This series shines a light on a very special place – the BMX club in Peckham responsible for training more British Olympic riders than any other. Meet the young riders who, come rain or shine, turn up to the track to perfect their racing skills and, through following their amazing stories, find out what it takes to be the best against all odds. Made by Big Deal Films.

My Life, the series of documentary films that follow the highs and lows of children across the world, each with a unique story to tell, will feature a new film called What Freya Did Next. The film catches up with Freya Skye, the 2022 UK entrant to the Junior Eurovision Song Contest, where she went on to win the public vote. We now follow 13 year old Freya as she lands in Nashville USA to record a new single. During Junior Eurovision she lost her voice, but even with everything against her, Freya still managed to get onto the stage and perform. Can she now launch a successful solo career? Young viewers will get a unique insight into what it takes to break into the music industry. Made by Peggy Pictures.

Jamie Johnson F.C. (13×28’) is a brand new spin-off series from Short Form Film, building on the success of the multi award-winning TV show Jamie Johnson. Set in the high stakes world of Hawx United’s elite football academy, the drama follows a group of talented footballers who get to eat, sleep and breathe the sport they love. They’re living their dream – but how many of them have what it takes to defy the odds and make it all the way to the Premier League? And will a scholarship from Jamie Johnson himself, now playing in the Hawx first team, be a help or a hindrance? Shot in Yorkshire, series one will air this Autumn and features thrillingly authentic football played for real, as well as signature cameo appearances from Ella Toone, Arsene Wenger, Billy Wingrove and more. The show has been commissioned for a second and third series.

Following the success of season one and a hotly anticipated second season available later this year, Phoenix Rise (20×29’) has been commissioned for a third and fourth series. Phoenix Rise, available now on BBC iPlayer, is a coming-of-age drama that follows the stories of six students who form an unbreakable bond as they navigate the trials and tribulations of school life in the Midlands. The misfit heroes are a group of teens taking their first tentative steps back into mainstream education after being excluded. At first it seems like they have nothing in common, but they soon realise they all share one unique trait: an indomitable will to succeed. Produced by BBC Studios Kids & Family and distributed by Sinking Ship Entertainment.

Jon Creamer

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