Sir Lenny Henry: Moving CBBC online is a mistake
ICONINSIDER — Sir Lenny Henry has branded the BBC to move their CBBC channel online as a “mistake.”
The broadcaster recently announced its plans to make its children’s broadcaster – famed for programming such as ‘Blue Peter’ and the ‘Tracy Beaker’ series as well as its multiple spin-offs – an online only service from 2025 and comedian Lenny, 63, questioned where children would “see themselves” in the future as a result.
He said: “It is a mistake to shove CBBC to one side and have this thing that is online. Where is kids’ drama going to be, where are kids going to see themselves? If you can’t see it, you can’t be it. If kids don’t get the opportunity to see themselves on telly what are they going to be able to relate to, where are they going to get that from?”
The former ‘Tiswas’ host went on to explain that in order for children to relate to programming, it is up to broadcasters to produce shows that are “appropriate” for their age.
Speaking at the Hays festival, he added: “We need to make work that kids can be confident is going to be appropriate for their age, and they can see themselves.”
It comes just weeks after BBC Chief Executive Tim Davie announced the plans to shift the channel online, but reassured viewers that the move will not stop them from offering a “diverse” range of programming.
In a statement, he said: “CBBC will continue to make diverse programmes and the TV channel will remain for at least three years. As the seven to 12 audience rapidly moves away from TV and towards digital, we will transition CBBC to iPlayer.”