Live webchat with Kay Benbow, Controller of CBeebies 1 - 2pm on Tuesday 1st February

[RachelMumsnet]

On Tuesday 1st Feb between 1 and 2pm we'll be joined by Controller of CBeebies, Kay Benbow. This weekend sees the launch of the new season of programmes on CBeebies. There will be some brand new shows in there - like Little Charley Bear and the upcoming animation Rastamouse - and some returning favourites. All will be revealed on Monday when we'll be linking to a trail for you to have a taste of what's coming up.

Kay was appointed Controller of CBeebies in May 2010, having worked in children's television for over 20 years. She was a producer on Tweenies and was insturmental in building the pre-school department as the CBeebies Channel was launched, devising and developing Tikkabilla and bringing in mumsnetter's favourite, Justin Fletcher.

Join us next Tuesday lunchtime or send a question to Kay in advance of the live chat to this thread.

Oh dear, I think I'm going to hate the gardening programme. "tiddlers"? Talking lettuce? Why can't we just have shows that show activities in a fun way without being all gimicky?

New Nuzzle and Scratch looks good. If I blur my eyes I could pretend the bloke is Rupert Penry Jones

Is that Spencer from Balamory in Talkie Time?

Any shows that encourage children to becomne involved in something after the programme finishes are the best IMO. So things like Mister Maker (afterwards we do a collage or painting - my child is only 3 so we're not quite on the same level as Mister maker himself) and I Can Cook (so then we makde cakes, oh and of course savoury things sometimes of course of course). Same with Green Balloon Club - we feed the birds, recycle and garden, having been inspired by the children in the green balloon. Well thats what my son thinks anyway!

Come Outside is fantastic, I think. My counsin's children (who are now about 8 or 9) loved it when they were little, and so does my little boy. Informative, gentle and calm.

Love CBeebies but do miss Razzledazzle, thought that was great. Learning programmes with real people seem to be a much greater hit with my children than animated ones.

Think Gigglebiz is great fun and enjoy sitting down and watching it with the children. Keep up the good work.

I love Come Outside too. It's lovely and calming and whilst it's educational it never feels like they're bombarding children with facts unlike more recent programmes I could mention.

I would like to suggest Cbeebies shows a retro show that perhaps parents themselves enjoyed when they were little. Surely there is a half hour slot somewhere to accomodate this. Imagine the lovely conversations this would spark...

Another vote for Razzledazzle in this house. Also Come Outside is great. I learn a lot and if we're doing retro I would love Playschool.

Can I just say that we love cbeebies here, it's watched every day for varying amounts of time.
most of the programmes are superb.

BUT we take a massive swerve round Tweenies...it really upsets me. Grown ups pretending to be children and putting on fake 'children's' voices is a real turn off - yes, ds2 watches it sometimes but with a look of 'seriously?' on his little face.

He is intrigued but I would rather he wasn't watching it, because it encourages children to act like the characters do and tbh their peculiar brand of 'ner ner na ner ner' type banter makes me feel a bit ill. Children aren't like that.
The sobering messages they impart with the help of the old chap are sometimes useful and relevant but please, please can they talk in a normal way - or something - and not be so stupid?

Children are generally much more sensible and nicer.

Apart from that = jolly good work, and thankyou for some excellent stuff

and by the way, can we have the CBBC person on please? I need to have a word

Oh a retro slot would be fab - I remember the 5.30 - 5.45 slot on BBC1 in the 70s/80s with a classic such as Bagpuss, Mary Mungo & Midge, Ivor the Engine etc. DD2 loves Ivor!

Tikkabilla was a fab reworking of Playschool - I preferred it to Playdays though teenage DD is already getting nostalgic for poppy cat and Peggy patch!

I absolutely loved Our Planet - can that please be made longer and regular?
Also love Tikkabilla and Show Me Show Me.
(If I send you a tenner will you get DS's birthday card on this year?? )

Please please don't bring back Dirtgirlworld

that is all I havre to say

for now ...

Justin is in SO many programmes. He must have blackmail-worthy pictures of you doing something very bad... (What was it?)

Seriously, we love CBeebies and can't decide on favourite programmes, despite long debates involving just about everything; but can I join with those asking for more rotation - the same episodes of programmes wouldn't come around so quickly if it was only on once or twice a week (and my daughter wouldn't be word perfect)

just learning about childrens tv again now as a child minding Granny, mostly I think it is very good except sometimes the presenters do seem a bit over excited! (is this just an age thing?)

Yes def great work on Little Charlie Bear, my 2yr old is obsessed and watches it every day, at least 5 times but it's great. I'm looking forward to the new shows too, as he isn't a fan of the likes of Zingzillas or show me show me!!

DS adores Timmy Time and Driver Dan, Waybuloo and ITNG. We both like Come Outside - as did DS1 who is 9 years older than DS2 and will still happliy watch it with his little brother. Octonauts looks fun too.

Can't stand Zing Zillas or Tweenies.

Would love a retro slot like Mr Ben or Bagpuss.

My almost 4-yr-old loves Zingzillas, Space Pirates, Show Me Show Me, Gigglebiz, I Can Cook and Mister Maker but likes most of the programming. I find CBeebies to be the best channel for him to watch because everyone sets a good example and it's mostly educational so I am trying to keep him watching for long as possible(I also have a 1-yr-old who has already shown an interest in TellyTubbies and In the Night Garden!).

Glad to see the new programmes, and we're especially enjoying the new series of Gigglebiz!

I think some of the programmer are fab, my 2year old adores Show Me Show Me and Come Outside, although it does feel dated to me. Just to say that your channel always has a good mix of programmes.

But please, as the controller, could you please take that bloody loudhailer off Upsy Daisy! Thank you.

iPhone argh. Programmes are fab not programmer. Well yes programmer too I'm sure!

My two DSs are HUGE fans / obsessed of the Octonauts. I am currently being pestered for octonauts "stuff" - so there will be big demand for Octonaut merchandising! Please keep it on the schedule!!!

I agree with Pinkthechaffinch about Dirtgirlworld (please don't bring it back - too twee and the styling was horrid!)

I'd also like to echo CuppateaJanice about the cost of your magazines. I suppose they're more expensive as they don't include advertising, but £3.50 is a lot of money. Perhaps less plastic cover tat would keep the cost down?

Some of the new programmes look good, great that there are more language orientated shows in the new season, and we love the bedtime story slot in our house. And thank God there are some new Octonaut episodes - although our Sky+ box may be about to melt due to the sheer number we have on 'keep'

Please could you show the Alphablocks more often and never ever not show Come Outside, it's such a lovely programme.

On a general note, I think that your inclusion of children with special needs is fantastic and I think that Something Special really is just that. I don't love Gigglebiz though (sorry lovely Justin!).

Errr, do I have a question for you? Yes, would it be possible to do some more Boogie Beebies? I love Boogie Pete and it would also be nice to have some more active or dance orientated slots - get your music fix and have a bop about in the living room too. I love to give passers-by something to goggle at

Are you still in love with Deirdre and do you think that Peter and Leanne will stay together or will they split up because of Peter being back on the booze?

Forgot about Razzledazzle - DD loved that even when she was far too young for it. Big Chris and Pui fans here too, saw them on their live tour and loved it.

Is there a reason why the presenters of programmes are appearing during the links? Obviously the children recognise them so it's good, and tbh I think they'd be more popular reading the bedtime stories rather than a range of actors with a programme to plug.

I just wanted to say a huge thank you for a really fantastic channel - my DS (almost 2) loves Show Me Show Me, Timmy, Louie and Waybuloo. I loved Big City Park, Doodle Do and 64 Zoo Lane

However, I would rather have my womb removed with a hacksaw than have to sit through dirtgirlworld again.

DS also loves Numberjacks, much to his mother's chagrin (Could you please put their sofa on Freecycle?)

I also just wanted to add to the chorus of approval for Come Outside and ask that if you ever make more of them, please, please don't 'remake' it ie Can we still have Lynda Baron and not some 20something or SJH? In fact I'd like to see a greater number of 'older' presenters on CBBC - and Grandpa in My Pocket doesn't cut it at all.

And has the copyright issue with the Same Smile theme tune been sorted out? (There must have been one, as all that's missing from it are the words to 'Crash' )

But, yes, thank you for a fantastic channel with a great range of programmes.

Oh, and one really, really small niggle that would make a fab programme perfect in my eyes. I know I will sound like Margot from the Good Life, but I don't care - could the children on Show Me Show Me please say 'Please' when they ask for something?

Please?

Cbeebies is a wonderful channel and my 6yo and 2yo both love the shows. The 2yo loves ITNG.

Now, my gripe is that my 6yo really wants to be one of the children on "Waybuloo" or "I Can Cook" but when I looked at the website I found that this can never happen as the children in question come from nurseries attached to the show? This really seems too exclusive a policy for small children. Can you explain the reaoning behind it?

Thanks.