Extended hours for CBBC - what do you think?

Bit of a zombie thread, but well done CBBC for extending the hours. I also think they got it right with Operation Ouch and Horrible Histories, just the sort of stuff the 8+ kids are after after a long day of school and activities.

I agree with pp, I'd appreciate an earlier start. My dc are 11 and 8 and usually up about 6.30am. I don't feel strongly about continuing til 9pm though if it was programming aimed at teens rather than younger dc it could be an interesting idea.

Some said that the BBC is over-providing for children while under-providing for those aged 16-34.

That might be true once BBC3 is taken down. But the over-provision for children is only true for the under 7s. I wonder if this is because programs for older primary and younger secondary aged children isn't as cheap to make.

Can't you just put iplayer on if CBeebies kids get up super early?

The point I was making is that there is close to zero interesting programming for kids once they get to about 9/10 on the BBC on any channel. Everything seems to be aimed at primary school kids and preschoolers. Older kids have to search all the channels to find something appropriate/interesting.

IMO the vast majority of programming on all channels is aimed at 16-34 year olds and the dedicated children's channels only cater for toddlers and primary age. There is a gap, which the extended hours for CBBC should be used to fill, most kids that age are busy but do look for things to watch on iplayer. ATM virtually nothing is being shown to be watched later on catch up,

Cbeebies has 12 or 13h worth of program a day at a time the under-4s are at home.

But the funding is for CBBC, whose audience is at school from 8-4 and many of their potential audience is then at sports and music until 6. So 5h worth for the ones who don't do extra curricular or homework and only 1-2h worth for the ones who do.

I think it would be good to have some child-suitable viewing after 7pm, for the reasons ratonastick has said.

You've changed my life AuntieStella! And only half an hour to go as well!

reni2 Horror Channel (freeview 70), most nights 8pm.

They've just finished the Jon Pertwee one with the spiders.

Yes, please, old Dr Who, I'd put that into my diary independent of child's viewing habits

things like Horrible histories, Sarah jane adventures, even older doctor who or something, a classic BBC drama like the secret garden or something, loads to choose from.

If you have internet access, surely you can access iPlayer?

Im on a PAYG dongle, I cant afford much internet use as it is.

and all this catch up stuff.

I just wonder why the Beeb don't get rid of the parliament channel, we get enough waffling from the ministers and politicians on the other news channels simultaneously on PM QT every week.

and totes agree with Reni2

Mine dont watch it butvifvthey did I would like it extended until 8pm as they don't have chance to watch TV earlier. By the time they get in from school & have done homework/jobs etc it's at least 6pm by which time tea is usually on the table.

TV/Xbox time tends to be ftom 6.30 onwards in our house.

Those of you up in arms about two extra hours in the evening, why do you care? If your children aren't watching it's not going to affect you.

Those children who are, isn't it better they have age-appropriate programs to relax in front of rather than the shit-ton of eastenders, big bang, holby, corrie crap they are currently being weaned on to?

I don't think there'd be much overlap between the older end of the CBBC watchers (actual or hoping to bring in) and those young enough to be interested in Tiny Pop.

And I agree with reni2 about the telly not going on until after activities and homework, meaning there is no BBC programming for these children at present. And yes, they do have to move on to more adult early evening programmes because that's all there is.

9pm finish would bring in new audience though and not just kids who already watch and just get an extra 2 hours. It would target kids who currently watch little or no CBBC.

Agree, a 5am start would be better than a 9pm finish. I bore the DC to sleep with documentaries and cuddles in my bed if they're awake past 8:45pm. The tv goes off at 6pm downstairs, we eat at the table, chat, wash the pots and head up to bed. They know tiny pop is on all hours as it is.

The thing is, they ARE watching that late, and yes, they do watch Dr Who. It would be lovely to have content aimed at this age group rather than having to scout around for appropriate tv shows (Dr Who is just once/ week). It would be good if cbbc kept in mind that this is tv time children are likely spend with parents, so the content that time has to be bearable for adults, too. I have seen all the Shaun the Sheep I ever wanted to and then some.

Older children and young teens are often out until 6, they often do all sorts of sports and hobbies. Dinner and homework, and by the time they are free to relax and watch tv, cbbc has closed. At the moment it is precisely the kids who do a lot of non-tv activities that get to watch no tv at all or grown-up channels only whilst the ones who do none have time from 4-7 to watch.

Terrible.

Kids shouldn't be watching the telly so late. Of course, parents can "just switch it off," but isn't it nice to have the BBC on your side rather than being the cause of one more unnecessary negotiation at bedtime?

The ones old enough to be watching so late surely have moved onto pre-watershed "family entertainment" such as Dr Who, etc.

Mine, he has ASD and is awake from 4.30 am most mornings. At least he can sit quietly and watch telly while everyone else sleeps!

I have tonight. I was up at about 6:15 and they'd already been fed and watered by DH!

Oh god, really, ouryve . I'd have hit the bottle.

Agree with slightly more preteen/ teenage content in the evening.

Both of mine, reni :o

DH drummed the sorry, no early morning TV message into them years ago, though.

No need
Also u child thinks the TC finishes at 7pm