List of programmes broadcast by CBeebies

CBeebies is a British free-to-air preschool children's television channel owned and operated by the BBC, launched on 11 February 2002 as a dedicated service for young viewers.^[1][2] The channel targets children aged six years and under, delivering educational and entertaining programming designed to encourage learning through play, alongside resources for parents to support child development.^[2][3] This list catalogues the programmes broadcast by CBeebies, encompassing both current and former shows that have aired on the channel across its broadcast history.^[4] Key offerings include animated series, live-action adventures, and interactive content from BBC productions as well as international acquisitions, such as Hey Duggee, Bluey, Sarah & Duck, and Go Jetters, which promote skills like creativity, social interaction, and basic literacy through engaging storytelling.^[5][6] The programmes are scheduled daily on linear TV, with on-demand access via BBC iPlayer, ensuring availability for preschool audiences worldwide where the channel is distributed.^[7] Over the years, CBeebies has evolved to include themed blocks like bedtime stories and seasonal specials, reflecting its commitment to holistic early childhood education.^[8]

Current programming

Original in-house productions

CBeebies' original in-house productions are created by BBC teams, focusing on educational content for preschoolers through animation and live-action. As of November 2025, key ongoing series include:

• Alphablocks (2010–present): Animated series teaching phonics and literacy through block characters.^[9]
• Numberblocks (2017–present): Animated maths education show using numbered blocks for counting and arithmetic.^[10]
• Teletubbies (revival, 2015–present): Live-action with puppets promoting imaginative play; new episodes and reruns air regularly.^[11]

These productions emphasize core skills like language and numeracy, integrated with iPlayer activities.

Original commissioned programmes

Commissioned programmes are produced by independent studios for CBeebies, delivering diverse educational stories. Current as of November 2025:

• Hey Duggee (2014–present): Animated series about a dog leading a scout club, teaching social skills and creativity.^[12]
• Go Jetters (2015–present): Animated adventures exploring global geography and cultures.^[13]
• Bing (2014–present): Animated bunny navigating emotions; new episodes aired in 2024, with ongoing broadcasts.^[14]

These shows promote emotional and exploratory learning, with episodes available on linear TV and iPlayer.

Acquired programmes

Acquired programmes include international shows dubbed for UK audiences, complementing originals. Current as of November 2025:

• Bluey (Australian, 2018–present): Animated family dog adventures focusing on play and relationships.^[15]
• Peppa Pig (2004–present): Animated pig family stories teaching social norms.^[16]
• Peter Rabbit (2012–present): Animated adaptation of Beatrix Potter tales emphasizing adventure and problem-solving.^[17]

These provide varied cultural perspectives and are scheduled daily.

BBC iPlayer exclusives

BBC iPlayer hosts exclusive CBeebies content for on-demand access, including shorts and documentaries. As of November 2025:

• Our Family (2017–present): Documentary series following diverse family lives, with Series 5 episodes like "Meet Henry's Family" available exclusively on iPlayer, promoting empathy for ages 4-6.^[18]

Other exclusives include interactive clips tied to broadcasts, but no CBeebies-specific AI enhancements; BBC's 2024 AI investment targets Bitesize for older children.^[19] CBeebies also offers physical immersive experiences like the 2024 Rainbow Adventure at Westfield London, featuring Hey Duggee and Bluey worlds, but not digital VR on iPlayer.^[20]

Programming blocks

CBeebies structures its schedule around themed blocks for daily routines. The "Get Set Go" block (6:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m.) features energetic shows for morning activity, including movement-based content like yoga. "Bedtime Stories" (around 6:50 p.m.) features celebrity readings, ongoing in 2025 with readers like David Corenswet ("What Does Daddy Do?") and Nikita Kanda (Bandi Chhor Divas story).^[21]; ^[22] Post-2020, blocks offer flexible iPlayer integration for family schedules.^[23]

Upcoming programming

Commissioned programmes

CBeebies has announced several original commissioned programmes slated for premiere in 2026 and 2027, developed in collaboration with UK-based independent production companies to deliver fresh educational content for preschool audiences. These initiatives reflect the BBC's ongoing commitment to supporting British indies in creating inclusive, age-appropriate storytelling that promotes creativity and learning.^[24] Among the highlighted commissions is Maebee, a whimsical animated series produced by Karrot Entertainment in association with Kavaleer Productions, focusing on a young bee discovering her unique talents and self-acceptance through adventures in a vibrant garden world. The show consists of 52 episodes at 7 minutes each, targeting children aged 3-5 with themes of confidence and environmental awareness, and is scheduled to debut in spring or summer 2026.^[24][25][26] Another key project is The Underglow, a 50-episode series (7 minutes per episode) developed in partnership with Gigglebug Entertainment, YLE, and A Productions, exploring underwater mysteries and friendship among sea creatures for viewers aged 2-4. It emphasizes sensory exploration and emotional development, with a premiere in autumn 2027.^[24][27] Returning commissions include the second season of Mojo Swoptops, an animated adventure from Blue Zoo Animation Studio, featuring inventive animal characters solving problems through teamwork and engineering concepts. Comprising 52 episodes of 11 minutes, it builds on STEM themes for ages 3-6 and is set to launch in October or November 2026.^[24][27] The revival of Balamory marks a significant return, with two new series commissioned from BBC Studios, shifting the setting to a nursery school on the fictional Scottish island to foster community and cultural learning for preschoolers. Each series will feature 10 episodes of 14 minutes, premiering in 2026 and highlighting diversity through everyday island life.^[28][29] The BBC's 2025 commissioning pipeline, revealed in October, underscores a strategic push toward animation and live-action hybrids from UK indies, with over a dozen projects in development to address gaps in preschool programming. Some initiatives originally planned for 2024, such as expanded educational formats, have been deferred to 2026 due to production adjustments amid industry challenges, ensuring higher quality outputs.^[24][26]

Former programming

Original in-house productions

The original in-house productions of CBeebies represent a core part of the channel's early development, with the BBC's internal teams creating content tailored for preschool audiences from the channel's launch in 2002. These productions were designed to foster creativity, language skills, and social learning through puppetry, animation, and live-action formats, often incorporating interactive elements to engage young viewers. Between 2002 and the 2010s, in-house efforts peaked with a focus on British-themed stories and educational themes, but many were discontinued due to shifting priorities, budget constraints following public funding cuts in the late 2000s and 2010s, and a move toward more cost-effective commissioned content. This period saw a reduction in in-house output, with several series ending as part of broader BBC Children's rebranding to emphasize digital and global distribution, though their legacy endures in early experiments with multimedia tie-ins and diverse representation in children's programming.^[30] Examples of key former in-house productions include Tikkabilla (2002–2010), a live-action magazine-style show with presenters encouraging play and learning through songs and activities, which ran for 8 series before ending due to format evolution toward shorter segments. The Shiny Show (2002–2008), featuring three young friends hunting for shiny objects while learning about emotions and teamwork, produced 78 episodes across 156 episodes total (including segments) and concluded as in-house resources shifted to new interactive formats. These productions, while limited in number compared to commissioned works, underscored the BBC's commitment to high-quality, publicly funded content during CBeebies' formative years, with cancellations reflecting economic pressures that prompted a hybrid model of production by the 2020s. Reruns of select series occasionally appeared in later programming blocks, maintaining their cultural footprint without full revivals.

Original commissioned programmes

Original commissioned programmes for CBeebies encompassed a range of preschool content produced by independent studios under BBC contracts, focusing on imaginative storytelling to engage young children. These programmes, distinct from in-house BBC productions, were developed by external creators to meet specific educational and entertainment goals, often emphasizing emotional development, creativity, and gentle surrealism in the 2000s era.^[31] Many such commissions concluded after fulfilling their planned episode runs or due to shifts in commissioning priorities toward more diverse formats in later decades.^[32] One seminal example is In the Night Garden..., a dreamlike series set in a fantastical toddler world inhabited by characters like Makka Pakka and the Tombliboos, which aired from 2007 to 2009. Commissioned by CBeebies from Ragdoll Productions—the studio behind Teletubbies—the show consisted of 100 half-hour episodes filmed in a real woodland setting to evoke a magical, pre-sleep atmosphere.^[31][33] With a budget of £14 million, it became the BBC's most expensive children's commission at the time, blending costume drama and music to promote relaxation and routine.^[34] The series ended after its full run, as it was conceived as a complete 100-episode arc without plans for continuation, though repeats persisted for years.^[35] Culturally, it won a BAFTA award and spawned extensive merchandising, reflecting the 2000s trend toward surreal, immersive worlds that mirrored the imaginative play of very young viewers.^[31][36] Tweenies (1999–2002), featuring puppet characters exploring preschool themes such as friendship and emotions, aired 390 episodes before concluding amid the transition to CBeebies' dedicated preschool block, paving the way for more structured daily scheduling. Produced by Tell-Tale Productions, it established interactive puppetry as a staple for emotional learning, influencing later BBC preschool shows. The Roly Mo Show (2004–2009), centered on a multilingual parrot host guiding children through imaginative play and storytelling, produced 100 episodes and ended due to rebranding efforts that favored shorter-form content; its legacy includes pioneering polyglot elements to promote language acquisition in a globalized audience. Produced by Novel Entertainment. Sarah & Duck, a quirky animation following a young girl and her anthropomorphic duck companion through whimsical everyday adventures, ran from 2013 to 2017 across three series totaling 120 episodes. Produced by Karrot Entertainment and commissioned by BBC Worldwide for CBeebies, the series emphasized themes of friendship, curiosity, and gentle humor in five-minute formats suitable for preschool attention spans.^[37] Its production concluded after the third series in 2017, with no further commissions due to the studio's focus on new projects and the natural completion of its narrative arcs, though episodes remained available on iPlayer.^[38] The show garnered significant acclaim, including BAFTA awards for preschool animation, highlighting its impact on promoting empathy and imaginative problem-solving among children aged 3-5. This programme exemplified a shift from 2000s surrealism toward more character-driven, relatable narratives in the 2010s. The Adventures of Abney & Teal (2011–2012), an animated series about quirky island creatures learning about nature and emotions, ran for 52 episodes across two seasons before cancellation as part of 2010s budget cuts that limited in-house animation projects, yet it influenced subsequent eco-focused narratives in BBC children's content. Produced by Ragdoll Productions, it used a mixture of 2D and CGI animation.^[39] In the 2020s, Bing, an animated series about a curious bunny navigating toddler emotions and mishaps with his carer Flop, aired from 2014 to 2019. Commissioned from Acamar Films, it featured 105 episodes that drew from child psychology research to depict real-life scenarios like tantrums and sharing, making it a staple for emotional literacy. Production ended in 2019 after substantial funding, including BBC commissioning support, as the studio transitioned to global distribution and live events rather than new seasons. Post-cancellation analysis noted its enduring popularity, with over 3 billion global requests by 2024, underscoring the value of evidence-based content in sustaining viewer engagement even after original runs conclude.^[40] Postman Pat, originally produced by independent UK studio Woodland Animations starting in 1981, ran on CBeebies from 2002 until 2017, when the final series concluded and rights were not renewed for further reruns due to the end of new episodes.^[41][42] Commissioning trends in the 2000s leaned heavily toward surreal, abstract formats like In the Night Garden... to captivate infants through sensory-rich, non-literal storytelling, contrasting with later decades' emphasis on psychological realism seen in Bing.^[32] These former commissions often featured in CBeebies' bedtime programming blocks to reinforce soothing routines. Overall, they contributed to the channel's reputation for innovative preschool media, with independent producers playing a key role in diversifying content before many series wrapped up.^[31]

Acquired programmes

Acquired programmes on CBeebies have historically included a range of international titles licensed from foreign producers to provide diverse educational content for preschool audiences, often focusing on themes like friendship, problem-solving, and basic literacy. These shows were typically adapted with UK voice dubs or edits to align with local broadcasting standards and cultural sensitivities. During the 2010s, there was a notable dominance of US and Canadian productions, reflecting CBeebies' strategy to import high-quality animated series from PBS and other networks to complement its original output, with examples including adaptations of American educational favourites that aired alongside British content. Many such programmes ceased broadcasting due to the expiration of licensing agreements, the conclusion of original series production, or shifts in CBeebies' scheduling priorities toward newer commissions and iPlayer exclusives. For instance, segments from the US educational series Sesame Street, produced by Sesame Workshop, were aired on CBeebies in the 2000s and 2010s, featuring edited episodes emphasizing early learning skills like counting and social interaction; these were eventually delisted around the mid-2010s as rights lapsed and focus moved to co-productions like The Furchester Hotel. The CG-era episodes of Thomas & Friends (2009–2021), licensed from HIT Entertainment (later Mattel), represented a significant undercovered drop in the 2020s; this British-US co-produced series, focusing on train adventures and moral lessons, was removed from regular CBeebies rotation in 2021 following the original format's conclusion and the launch of a rebooted US version (All Engines Go), with delisting attributed to rights transitions under new ownership. Other notable former acquired titles include:

• Clifford the Big Red Dog (US, Scholastic Productions, original run 2000–2003): Aired on CBeebies from 2002 with UK dubs, teaching empathy and community values; ceased regular broadcasts around 2011 due to expired PBS licensing rights.^[43]
• Arthur (Canadian-US, WGBH/PBS, 2021–2022): Short run of later seasons (20–21) on CBeebies, highlighting school life and diversity; ended as the overall series wrapped production in 2022.
• LazyTown (Icelandic, RÚV/Sparrowhawk, 2005–2012): Promoted physical activity through superhero antics; final UK airing in February 2012 followed the end of international distribution deals.^[44]
• Pingu (Swiss, Trickfilmstudio, 2002–2006): Stop-motion tales of a mischievous penguin family, wordlessly teaching emotions; delisted after the original episodes' run concluded, with no new content available.^[45]

These acquisitions filled gaps in CBeebies' early schedule but saw gradual reductions in the late 2010s and 2020s as the channel prioritized in-house and commissioned UK-centric content, leading to fewer international slots amid evolving digital distribution. Reruns of select titles may appear sporadically in the dedicated reruns section.

Reruns

CBeebies features reruns of established programmes to deliver consistent, educational entertainment for young children, drawing on content proven to support early learning and development. A key example is the original Teletubbies series, which originally aired from 1997 to 2001 and has been repeated on the channel since the early 2010s, with ongoing daily broadcasts in 2025 during early morning slots such as 6:15 AM. These episodes, often from Series 1 and 2, are selected for their timeless sensory and repetitive format that aids cognitive growth in toddlers, primarily targeting viewers aged 1-4 who benefit from familiar routines and visual storytelling.^[46] Episodes of Something Special starring Mr Tumble, originally produced between 2003 and 2018, continue to air as repeats throughout 2025, including in dedicated slots like afternoons or weekends to reinforce accessibility. This programme's reruns emphasize its core use of Makaton sign language and inclusive narratives, chosen for their evergreen value in fostering communication skills among preschoolers with and without special educational needs, appealing to family demographics seeking supportive viewing. Frequency includes multiple airings per week, ensuring broad reach during non-peak hours.^[47] The channel's approach to reruns has evolved to prioritize nostalgia-driven selections in 2025, focusing on content that evokes familiarity for parents while educating children aged 1-4 through simple, repetitive themes that build confidence and routine. This strategy maintains viewer engagement by blending archival appeal with developmental goals, as seen in the sustained rotation of these classics alongside newer fare.^[48]

Former programming blocks

CBeebies initially launched on 11 February 2002 with a schedule structured around repeating four-hour blocks of programming, designed to provide a predictable routine for preschool children under six, featuring episodes of shows like Teletubbies and Tweenies on the hour.^[49] This block-based format mirrored satellite services and emphasized repetition to aid young viewers' familiarity and learning, but it evolved rapidly as the channel sought to diversify its offerings.^[50] By the mid-2000s, CBeebies introduced more specialized themed strands to engage audiences interactively and thematically, marking a shift from rigid repeats to curated segments that influenced later persistent blocks like Get Set Go. One early discontinued block was Pick and Play, which aired in 2004, primarily on weekends around midday, allowing children to submit requests via the CBeebies website for specific programs to be shown next, such as episodes of The Story Makers or Balamory.^[51] This interactive format encouraged viewer participation and mix-and-match scheduling, running from June to at least September 2004 before being phased out amid a broader schedule refinement to accommodate growing original content.^[52] Its discontinuation around late 2004 aligned with a channel overhaul prioritizing fixed daily themes over ad-hoc selections, though it set a precedent for audience-driven elements in subsequent programming. In September 2005, CBeebies debuted the Bear and Butterfly strand for weekend mornings, hosted by animated characters—a bear voiced by a presenter and a butterfly—featuring shows like Tweenies, Bits and Bobs, and Tikkabilla, often from 7:30 to 10:30.^[53] Aimed at fostering exploration through storytelling and songs, the block ran until March 2007, when it was replaced by expanded morning segments like Explorers and the enduring Get Set Go, as part of efforts to streamline the schedule for better educational flow and higher production integration.^[54] Similarly, short-lived 2006-2007 blocks such as Little Lunchers and Story Corner, which focused on mealtime routines and narrative segments with acquired titles like Clifford the Big Red Dog, ended during the same transition to consolidate into fewer, longer-running themes by the late 2000s. Through the 2010s, CBeebies continued refining its blocks, discontinuing experimental formats from the channel's first decade to support a more stable lineup amid digital expansion, though remnants of interactive and exploratory themes persisted in modern scheduling. During the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic, temporary disruptions led to ad-hoc educational specials rather than formal blocks, including coronavirus-themed episodes of Get Well Soon and new commissions like Activate with Joe Wicks, broadcast in adjusted slots to support home learning without dedicated themed hours.^[55] These one-off integrations, rather than sustained blocks, reflected the channel's flexibility in response to school closures, influencing post-pandemic emphases on accessible, routine-based content.