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.

Another vote for dance routines on the seasonal songs here. (didn't like the winter one much, tried too hard to be funny - and it didn't suit Sid's voice IMO). Loved last summer, and the imagery in the autumn one even if the music was vivaldi's spring IIRC!

@CharliePixie

I'm sure new show from Justin will go down very well with my family.

Yes, I can see, for example, Sat tea time viewing being more of a general family affair, so a weekly show to look forward to, a bit different from weekday things, would work well. I don't mean the same format, but with the same sense of anticipation as I had as a child for something like Swap Shop on a Sat or Crackerjack on a Fri...

(showing my age )

Really useful feedback
thanks

Also I'm going to look slack as hell here but why the close down at 7pm - couldn't there be the bedtime session repeated for the next couple of hours for those of us who keep more ...ahem...mediterranean hours.

@TondelayoSchwarzkopf

I second Seth Starkadder's concern about the gender stereotyping on some programmes.

Aside from that I really love CBeebies overall, as a mum of a toddler and think there is a good mix. I thought Zingzillas was OK music-wise and loved the Cleo Laine Episode.

One more thing - the 'Seasons' Songs / Videos - I really really like these and think they are nicely done but the last two haven't had a routine you could dance along with. My DS (and me ) loves joining in with the dancing on the Summertime one - please can you bear this in mind in future?

It's trying to strike a balance. We do know that little girls like pink and we tend to move away from that as we get older - and I speak as a grown up woman! What we try to do is have strong female characters, even if they do sometimes wear pink. It's about providing strong female role models, and I promise I will continue to do that across our portfolio of programmes.

@Needanewname

My DD's still love Charlie and Lola but its never on at a time they watch anymore. Any chance of moving in the night garden and putting C & L back on? Or as someone else has suggested, rotating the programmes a bit more.

Also agree with other comments re Cbeebies being yoo young but CBBC too old. What about what they do in CITV, you could do daytime for younger tots and after school for those slightly older but not old enough for CBBC. Just a thought.

Ooh and we love Justin in our house so keep him whatever you do!

Hi Needanewname. We try to ensure that the bedtime hour is as stable as possible for periods of time because changing it can be very disruptive to many of our young viewers who like a regular routinue at the end of the day. Charlie & Lola is currently scheduled at various points in the day to try and suit all viewing habits and is available on the iplayer. We do constantly review the bedtime hour though and take on board all comments we receive to come up with the most popular schedule we can.

yes please to dance routines on seasonal songs (though my dcs absolutely love the 'being mean to Sid' song as they call it).

and I agree about asking Cerrie not to keep saying girls are pretty. My dd adores her by the way.

Thanks Kay, appreciate your response.

P.S. My daughter says she also loves "Quiz and a Pizz" and the Octonaughts.

@Housemum

Another vote for dance routines on the seasonal songs here. (didn't like the winter one much, tried too hard to be funny - and it didn't suit Sid's voice IMO). Loved last summer, and the imagery in the autumn one even if the music was vivaldi's spring IIRC!

These comments are really helpful and I'll feed it in when I go back as we are looking at what we're doing with the seasonal songs over the coming year.

Yes, a plus one channel would be very helpful! (echoing Tondelayo above)

For those people wanting retro programming, the Nickelodeon channels show (or certainly used to) classic stuff like Bagpuss, Ivor the Engine etc after 8pm, obviosuly for the parents rather than kids, but you would have the option to record them. However, I bet there would be an audience for older CBeebies shows to be repeated too.

Finally, my DS also loves Octonauts (as do his dad and I)! More please!

but the majority of the pink frilly ones AREN'T strong female characters, they're girly and silly, that's the problem!
I agree that pink is fine in itself for some characters but can't you try to make sure the next pink girl character is presented as a strong leader type rather than an annoying sister type? After all, Dora the Explorer wears plenty of pink and she is cool, but there is nothing like her on CBeebies.

@LisasCat

Please bin Ker-whizz, to free up some schedule time for better programmes. The presenting is so forced, and even my 3 yr old daughter knows how thick the 'contestants' are being, when they all pick different answers.

Nina & the Neurons, Numberjacks, I Can Cook, Mister maker...all get a big thumbs up in out house. DD learns fantastic stuff, and sees the relevance to everyday life.

And please, please, please can Patrick Stweart do the bedtime story again. Just for me. I don't care that daughter wandered off and put herself to bed because she wasn't interested.....I LOVE HIM!

Yes, he was truly wonderful, a real gentleman and a real treat a Christmas. We often repeat bedtime stories so I'll bear your request in mind!

What about more Boogie Pete Kay? Bring back Pete!

Seasonal dances woul be fab as well, I love it when DD1 breaks out the dance moves.

My little girl Cerys is in 2 episodes of the new Programme Mr Blooms Nursery, And i would just like to say a big Thank you to the whole of the Cbeebies crew for making her filming experience so fab. We have watched cbeebies for nearly 7 years now, and we are so proud that Cerys was able to be a part of your channel.

For those who are asking about the bedtime readers, the majority do it for their children or their grandchildren, not because they have a show to promote. Coming up this year, Meera Syal, Sanjeev Bhaskar, Alex Kingston, Sheila Hancock, Toby Stephens, Charlie Higson and Floella Benjamin. Enjoy!

ooh no, don't bin KerWhizz, ds1 would be devastated - in his words, 'Please don't bin KerWhizz and please don't even take it away from our CBeebies.'

forgot to say: I Can Cook is a big hit here, and the cookbook and website game are great too.

@StealthPolarBear

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?? )

Thanks for your comment, we know that natural history programmes are really popular with our audience, and I have just commissioned a new series from the BBC's natural history unit, specially for CBeebies.

I'd love to see Derek Griffiths reading a bedtime story! He was my favourite childrens presenter!! Could you ask him please?

Boogie. Beebies. Boogie beebies, boogie beebies. Yeah!

@sethstarkaddersmackerel

ooh no, don't bin KerWhizz, ds1 would be devastated - in his words, 'Please don't bin KerWhizz and please don't even take it away from our CBeebies.'

forgot to say: I Can Cook is a big hit here, and the cookbook and website game are great too.

I won't be binning Kerwhizz, don't worry. It's all about having a range of programmes and finding something for everyone.

@chez1979

My little girl Cerys is in 2 episodes of the new Programme Mr Blooms Nursery, And i would just like to say a big Thank you to the whole of the Cbeebies crew for making her filming experience so fab. We have watched cbeebies for nearly 7 years now, and we are so proud that Cerys was able to be a part of your channel.

It's wonderful to hear that she had a great time, I hope you enjoy the show.

Please tell me that Me Too won't be repeated - it made me cringe that someone tried so hard to be inclusive by having a blind Market trader - surely his stock would have been stolen in seconds! Did no one talk to eg the RNIB to get some positive role models based on real people?

@EightiesChick

Yes, a plus one channel would be very helpful! (echoing Tondelayo above)

For those people wanting retro programming, the Nickelodeon channels show (or certainly used to) classic stuff like Bagpuss, Ivor the Engine etc after 8pm, obviosuly for the parents rather than kids, but you would have the option to record them. However, I bet there would be an audience for older CBeebies shows to be repeated too.

Finally, my DS also loves Octonauts (as do his dad and I)! More please!

There are more Octonauts on the way.

I also wanted to second the idea of a 'retro hour' if that's possible on CBeebies.

My DS adores Ivor the Engine (Chuggington doesn't come close).

And if you're overhauling the CBeebies website, could we have the 'proper' theme for Bob the Builder and not that awful 'house' version?

(Though I know I've asked well over my allotted question. It's just so nice to feel we're being listened to on a webchat for a change!)

@rachelkarengreene

My children are just starting to leave CBeebies behind now but I would just like to send you a big thank you - I could not have made it through the last 5 years without your fabulous channel. Show Me Show Me is without doubt the best programme for pre schoolers on the television.

thank you - this means a great deal to me