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AIBU?

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Original poster

To think that BBC should have a radio show for children?

39 replies

HyperThread · 03/02/2015 23:04

BBC has a whole channel dedicated to children on TV. More and more parents are worrying about the ever increasing screen time that children are now expecting and demanding, especially because some research appears to suggest that too much screen time could be damaging.

AIBU to think that BBC should at the very least have a show on radio, if not a channel, for young children? Would your DC listen to it?

OP posts:
farmlass · 03/02/2015 23:07

There is an excellent hour of children's programme at 4pm on 4 extra presented by Mel from Mel and Sue (can't spell her name!)

farmlass · 03/02/2015 23:07

Every week day

Original poster
HyperThread · 03/02/2015 23:12

Farmlass, sadly the programme on 4 extra is being axed:

m.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-29408125

OP posts:
Momagain1 · 03/02/2015 23:19

They do, at least on my bbc radio app on my smartphone. It is podcasts of songs and shows, not the instananeous and continuous drip of CBBC theme songs/children's songs sung by presenters/every song justin ever sang that I was hoping for. I have to keep finding the next thing, so it only brought peace and the chance to read my book short bursts on the long train ride to Gran's house. I gave in and handed over the Nintendo.

GiddyOnZackHunt · 03/02/2015 23:20

They used to have Go For It! on R4 at 6pm on a Sunday which was a silly time. Despite Barney Harwood being extremely jolly it didn't attract the listeners.
Children don't seem to sit and listen to spoken radio. I didn't as a child but am a R4 devotee as an adult.

MrsTawdry · 03/02/2015 23:25

Momagain do they? Can I get that on my DDs tablet then? I'd like something for her to chill to when she needs to be alone.

Bea · 03/02/2015 23:31

My dc... 13/10 & 8 love r4 comedy shows... Especially cabin pressure and the now show (anyone hear mitch benn's brilliant song about minecraft! Oh it struck a chord with all of us!)... But mine probably as a bit older than yours? We've always listened to radio shows... Absolute favourite used to b Adam and Joe show on 6 music. .. Sadly not on any. anymore! They were fab!!

MaudantWit · 03/02/2015 23:37

If I recall correctly, Go For It was axed because the average age if the listener was something like 36. There doesn't seem to be enough demand for children's radio on the main channels. (My tweenager too loves R4 comedy shows and is distraught that Cabin Pressure has ended).

Original poster
HyperThread · 03/02/2015 23:37

My little one is only 20 months but would be quite happy to listen to nursery rhymes or books read out loud.

OP posts:
EBearhug · 03/02/2015 23:47

Some of my earliest memories involve Listen with Mother. And there was one called the Cat's Whisker (I think) which I think was early-mid '80s - my memories of it are listening to it while having my Sunday night bath before school on Monday. And I remember sneaking the upstairs radio into my bedroom and listening to the Classic Serial under the covers on a Saturday night (normal people sneak cigarettes behind the bike sheds...)

I'm a life-long R4 listener, and we didn't have a TV till I was 14, so other options were somewhat limited. And none of that is current, so not actually any use.

CaurnieBred · 03/02/2015 23:55

If you have a digital radio there is a station called Fun Kids that DD loves. During the school day the programming is aimed at the younger age range.

QuestionsaboutDS · 03/02/2015 23:59

As I recall the average age of Go4It's listeners was actually 54 maud.

You could try FunKidsLive OP. A lot of it is identikit pop, but I think they do the sort of stuff you're looking for during school hours.

QuestionsaboutDS · 03/02/2015 23:59

Oh, X-post

Itscurtainsforyou · 03/02/2015 23:59

I thought they had cbeebies radio?

MaudantWit · 04/02/2015 09:32

Yes, it probably was. The point I was making (while being too lazy actually to look it up) was that the average age indicated that there were comparatively few children listening, and it was largely being listened to by the general R4 audience, which is a middle aged (or more) demographic.

seaoflove · 04/02/2015 09:51

Yep, there's CBeebies Radio.

CommanderShepard · 04/02/2015 09:56

CBeebies radio is DAB only, though.

CommanderShepard · 04/02/2015 09:59

I take that back - looks like it's online only now...

choirmumoftwo · 04/02/2015 10:06

I'm not sure that radio would appeal to very small children. You could try playing an audio book or other spoken word CD or download as an alternative to screen time. My DS is now nearly 16 and listens to talk radio shows constantly, and has done for the last 3 years. It really stimulates discussion.

Scholes34 · 04/02/2015 10:25

DD (17) is an ardent Radio 4 listener. DS1(16) and DS2(14) also enjoy Just a Minute, I'm sorry I haven't a clue, The Now Show, The News Quiz and the like. They wouldn't have listened when they were younger. They'll have these programmes on in the background whilst doing other things.

pudcat · 04/02/2015 10:31

What about buying Nursery Rhyme CDs. Or audio books - there are a lot out there. Failing that record some yourself .

fredfredgeorgejnr · 04/02/2015 10:57

CBeebies radio is online too www.bbc.co.uk/cbeebies/radio they also have other shows on general radio - www.bbc.co.uk/radio/programmes/genres/childrens/player/episodes

Not sure it would really support a dedicated broadcast channel with everything that it costs.

QuestionsaboutDS · 04/02/2015 11:31

There's always Radio 3

SaucyMare · 04/02/2015 11:34

i used to love waking up to kids stories on 4extra, It was how i discovered little wolf. But the average age of listeners was 40+ so scrapped it, now it is crappy ancient comedies, steptoe and son anyone?

annieoaklie · 04/02/2015 11:39

RTE ( Irish broadcaster) has a radio station dedicated to children called RTE Junior. Its available on digital and broadcasts all-day.