CBeebies
For millions of children across the UK and beyond, CBeebies is a vibrant, trusted cornerstone of early childhood. This BBC channel and brand isn't just about entertainment; it's a meticulously crafted world designed to educate, engage, and inspire the youngest viewers. Join us as we explore how this unique public broadcaster became a global phenomenon, shaping imaginative play and nurturing developing minds. CBeebies is the BBC's dedicated brand for children aged six and under, encompassing a TV channel, online platforms, radio, and even a theme park. Rooted in public service broadcasting, CBeebies distinguishes itself with in-vision continuity presenters, a strong educational focus, and a complete absence of advertising. Beyond its UK origins, CBeebies has expanded internationally, adapting its content and presentation to serve diverse global audiences.
AI Summary
For millions of children across the UK and beyond, CBeebies is a vibrant, trusted cornerstone of early childhood. This BBC channel and brand isn't just about entertainment; it's a meticulously crafted world designed to educate, engage, and inspire the youngest viewers. Join us as we explore how this unique public broadcaster became a global phenomenon, shaping imaginative play and nurturing developing minds.
- CBeebies is the BBC's dedicated brand for children aged six and under, encompassing a TV channel, online platforms, radio, and even a theme park.
- Rooted in public service broadcasting, CBeebies distinguishes itself with in-vision continuity presenters, a strong educational focus, and a complete absence of advertising.
- Beyond its UK origins, CBeebies has expanded internationally, adapting its content and presentation to serve diverse global audiences.
A World for Little Ones
CBeebies is the beloved British children's television channel, owned and operated by the BBC. It's specifically designed for children aged six years and under, offering a safe and stimulating environment for learning and fun. Think of it as a carefully curated space where every show and interaction is tailored for tiny hands and curious minds.
The brand actually evolved from an existing BBC children's programming block. The name 'CBeebies' was officially unveiled in November 2001, setting the stage for a dedicated channel that would become a household name for parents and preschoolers alike.
Channel Launch and Early Days
On February 11, 2002, the CBeebies channel officially launched in the UK, alongside its sister channel CBBC, aimed at slightly older children. Its very first shows included classics like 'Teletubbies,' alongside 'Binka,' 'Step Inside,' and 'Bits and Bobs,' immediately establishing its playful and engaging tone.
In the UK, CBeebies broadcasts daily, sharing its channel space with BBC Four. This means that once CBeebies signs off for the night at 7:00 pm, BBC Four takes over, offering programming for adult audiences.
Expanding the CBeebies Universe
The CBeebies brand quickly grew beyond just television. In March 2007, CBeebies Radio launched, offering audio content for young listeners. While its traditional radio broadcast ceased, it continues today as an online feature and a station on BBC Sounds, keeping children entertained through sound.
Further broadening its reach, a 'CBeebies Weekly' magazine first hit the shelves in 2006, now simply known as 'CBeebies Magazine.' This allowed the magic of CBeebies to extend into physical print, offering activities and stories that children could enjoy offline.
A Global Footprint
CBeebies isn't just a UK phenomenon. Since 2013, it has been carried by the British Forces Broadcasting Service, reaching families serving abroad. It's also available in Ireland, and its international expansion has been significant, bringing its unique programming to children worldwide.
One unique adaptation is CBeebies Alba, a Scottish Gaelic block on BBC Alba. Launched in 2018, it features its own presenters and shows, offering programming in Gaelic during its dedicated hour, showcasing the BBC's commitment to diverse language content.
A Fresh Look for a New Era
In March 2023, CBeebies underwent its first major rebrand in 21 years, aligning with a broader corporate refresh across the BBC. This new visual identity included an updated logo and a revamped look for its iconic 'Bugbie' characters, giving the channel a modern yet familiar feel.
International Ventures and Adaptations
The international versions of CBeebies are managed by BBC Studios and often operate on a 24-hour schedule, unlike their UK counterpart. This global presence began with a launch in India in 2007, quickly expanding to many other regions.
Over the years, CBeebies feeds and programming blocks have launched across Latin America, Asia, Australia, South Africa, and even on-demand in the United States. While some international services have come and gone, CBeebies continues to seek new ways to reach global audiences, often with localised content and presenters.
The Faces of CBeebies
A hallmark of CBeebies in the UK is its 'in-vision continuity' presenters. These friendly faces don't just introduce shows; they interact directly with children, lead activities, share birthday cards, and create a warm, personal connection, making young viewers feel truly part of the CBeebies family.
Unlike commercial children's channels, CBeebies adheres to the BBC's public service mandate, meaning there are absolutely no advertisements. Breaks between programmes are instead filled with channel idents, short educational segments, and trailers for other CBeebies shows or events.
The Beloved Bugbies
Integral to the channel's identity are its charming mascots, known as the 'Bugs' or 'Bugbies'. These friendly yellow, blob-like characters appear in various idents and animated scenes, guiding children through the programming day. The 2023 rebrand reimagined them with a more rounded, square-shaped form, subtly echoing the BBC logo.
Bedtime Stories: A Daily Ritual
Perhaps one of CBeebies' most cherished traditions is 'CBeebies Bedtime Stories.' While regular presenters often read a lunchtime story, the final show of each day features a special guest storyteller—often a famous actor, musician, or public figure—reading a soothing tale to help children wind down. Stars like Tom Hardy, Ed Sheeran, and Ryan Reynolds have all famously graced the storytelling chair.
High Definition and Digital Reach
CBeebies embraced technological advancements, launching CBeebies HD in December 2013, offering a sharper, more vibrant viewing experience. This commitment to quality extends to its digital platforms, including a comprehensive website and a child-friendly version of BBC iPlayer, CBeebies iPlayer.
The CBeebies website, launched alongside the channel in 2002, is a treasure trove of interactive games, songs, and printable activities, all themed to popular shows. It also hosts 'CBeebies Grown-ups,' a dedicated section offering advice and resources for parents and caregivers.
Beyond the Screen: Merchandise and Experiences
The popularity of CBeebies has led to numerous ventures beyond broadcasting. Various VHS and DVD compilations have been released over the years, allowing children to enjoy their favorite shows anytime. Several CBeebies-branded music albums have also been launched, featuring popular songs from the channel's programmes.
CBeebies Land: An Immersive Adventure
Perhaps the most ambitious extension of the brand is CBeebies Land, which opened in May 2014 at Alton Towers theme park in Staffordshire. This unique area offers a range of themed rides, attractions, and live entertainment, allowing children and families to step directly into the worlds of their favorite CBeebies shows.
CBeebies Land brought characters like Mr. Tumble, Mr. Bloom, and those from 'In the Night Garden...' to life. Subsequent additions have included 'Hey Duggee: The Big Adventure Badge' and 'Andy's Adventures Dinosaur Dig,' continuously evolving to feature new beloved characters and interactive experiences.
A Legacy of Excellence
Throughout its history, CBeebies and its programmes have garnered numerous accolades, consistently recognized for their quality and innovation. The channel has repeatedly won 'Children's Channel of the Year' at the BAFTA Children's Awards, highlighting its significant impact and commitment to engaging young audiences.
The brand's innovative approach, particularly its seamless integration of television and online content, has also been celebrated. The Royal Television Society awarded CBeebies for 'Best Design and Innovation,' praising its interactive gameplay and immersive web experiences that complement its broadcast offerings.
Article
CBeebies
CBeebies is a British free-to-air public broadcast children's television channel owned and operated by the BBC. It is also the brand used for all BBC content targeted for children aged six years and under. Its sister channel, CBBC, is intended for older children aged six to twelve. It broadcasts every day from 6:00 am to 7:00 pm, timesharing with BBC Four.
History
CBeebies
On 20 November 2001, the CBeebies name was officially revealed as part of the split of the already-existing CBBC block and would be used as both a children's block and a digital channel.
The CBeebies channel launched on 11 February 2002 alongside the CBBC channel, as a spinoff from the BBC's children's television strand. The first four shows to air on the channel were Teletubbies, Binka, Step Inside and Bits and Bobs. CBeebies domestically broadcasts from 5:30 am to 7:00 pm, broadcasting six days per week. From the launch of the channel until 1 March 2002, CBeebies timeshared with fellow BBC channel BBC Knowledge but since 2 March 2002, it now timeshares with BBC Four, which is on air after CBeebies closes for the night at 7:00 pm.
CBeebies was joined on 19 March 2007 by its own radio station, aptly named CBeebies Radio, which broadcast for three hours each day on BBC Radio 7 until April 2011. CBeebies Radio, however, has continued as a feature on CBeebies' website since 2013, and as a station on BBC Sounds broadcasting from 6:00 am to 10:00 pm. A CBeebies Weekly magazine, now named just CBeebies Magazine, was first published in 2006.
Since March 2013, CBeebies has been carried by the British Forces Broadcasting Service. CBeebies is also available in Ireland.
In September 2018 as part of a branding strategy, BBC Alba's unbranded two-hour children's block was split into CBeebies Alba and CBBC Alba, with the former airing during the first hour and the latter airing during the second hour. This block features its own presentation, presenters and shows in Scottish Gaelic. The only presenter shared between the CBeebies Alba block and CBeebies channel is Dodge T. Dog, who appears on an occasional basis.
On 15 March 2023, CBeebies rebranded its channel identity, in line with a wider corporate rebranding across the BBC starting in 2021. This was CBeebies' first rebrand, retiring the logo that the channel had used since its launch 21 years earlier. The new style featured a new logo in line with the BBC's 2021 logo, as well as a revamped appearance of the "Bugbie" characters that had been part of the channel's identity since launch.
International and non-English versions
CBeebies
Logo used from 11 February 2002 to 14 March 2023, still used as a production logo. It is also still used outside the UK, especially in Asia, and also as a secondary logo.
BBC Studios owns and operates the international CBeebies feeds, with most of them operating on a 24-hour schedule (compared to the UK version).
The first international launch for the CBeebies channel was in India in May 2007, although the channel was shut down at the end of November 2012 owing to "commercial considerations". The Polish CBeebies channel was launched on 2 December 2007, while feeds in Latin America, East, Southeast Asia, South Africa, Sub-Saharan Africa and Australia were launched in late 2008. In March 2011, an on demand version of the network was launched in the United States and is available on Xfinity.
On 3 January 2011, CBeebies was launched in the Philippines on SkyCable.
On 13 May 2011, CBeebies was launched as a programme block on the channel BBC Kids in Canada, available on weekdays between 9:00 am and 3:00 pm. It served a similar schedule to the main channel. The block ceased alongside its main channel on 31 December 2018, with some programmes moving to Knowledge Kids.
In April 2015, BBC Worldwide signed with South Korean broadcaster KBS and Japanese broadcaster Kids Station to launch CBeebies blocks on both channels.
In April 2016, a channel for the MENA region was launched.
On 10 March 2017, CBeebies Asia was launched in Taiwan, replacing BBC Entertainment. CBeebies Asia has already launched in Hong Kong, South Korea, Myanmar, the Philippines, Mongolia, Indonesia, Singapore, Thailand, Laos, Maldives, Macau, Sri Lanka and Malaysia. On 13 April 2017, the localised CBeebies feed for Latin America ceased operations along with BBC Earth and BBC Entertainment.
On 5 April 2018, a feed was launched on Digiturk in Turkey.
On 1 April 2019, CBeebies was removed by SkyCable in the Philippines.
On 1 December 2019, the Australian feed launched in New Zealand on Sky.
In March 2020, CBeebies launched on Vietnam's television provider Msky.
In July 2020, it was relaunched in India, but with pan-Asian feed in English audio track only.
On 31 October 2020, CBeebies and CBeebies en Español were removed from all cable and satellite providers in the United States.
On 11 January 2022, BBC Kids launched as a FAST channel on Pluto TV in the United States, which airs select CBeebies and CBBC shows from the BBC Studios catalogue. A version of the channel that airs Spanish-dubbed programming titled "Niños por BBC" was launched on the same day. Both channels have since been removed. BBC Kids continues to be available on Samsung TV Plus in the United States.
On 15 December 2022, the Asian feed of CBeebies was launched as a preview channel on Astro, which replaced Boomerang on 1 February 2023.
A planned rebrand for the Polish version of CBeebies was cancelled in March 2024 after the departure of presenter Aneta Piotrowska.
It was announced that CBeebies on Foxtel in Australia would be removed on 31 July 2024, alongside BBC First, BBC Earth, BBC News, and A&E. However, 3 months after the Foxtel shutdown, CBeebies and BBC Kids were removed from Fetch TV on 31 October 2024, marking the end of CBeebies operations in Australia after nearly 16 years.
CBeebies will cease broadcasting on Astro on 1 May 2026.
Management
CBeebies
In the UK, CBeebies is operated by the BBC Children's and Education division and part of BBC North. The division is also responsible for CBBC and overall strategic responsibility for all of the BBC's domestic services for children rests with the Director of Children's and Education, Patricia Hidalgo Reina (since 2020). The direction of the domestic CBeebies channel itself rested with Kay Benbow, the last Controller of the channel commissioning all CBeebies content across BBC television, online, interactive TV and radio. She took over from the first controller Michael Carrington in 2010. In 2017 it was announced that the CBeebies controller post would close in December 2017 and all content for the CBeebies brand would be commissioned by a new, pan BBC Children's role entitled Head of Content. In January 2021 it was announced that the decision would be reversed, and a new Head of Commissioning and Acquisitions for preschoolers (0–6) would be appointed.
Internationally, CBeebies is owned by BBC Studios, which operate the brand.
Presentation
CBeebies
The links between programmes on CBeebies are primarily achieved through the use of in-vision continuity, using presenters to interact with the children. In the UK, links are recorded rather than broadcast live, as is the case on sister channel CBBC. They were originally recorded from studio TC0 at BBC Television Centre in London, but moved out in 2008 to Teddington Studios, and returned briefly in 2010. From September 2011 onwards, the links have been based at the BBC's northern base at studios HQ5 and HQ6 in Dock10 studios at MediaCityUK following the move of the BBC Children's department there.
As is with the rest of the BBC's channels, there is a lack of advertisements and programmes are occasionally broken up by trailers for new shows, new seasons of said shows or events.
Logo and identities
Former logo used from 2021-2023 with the 2021 BBC logo. This logo is still used as a secondary logo today.
CBeebies uses many identities throughout the day during the breaks in between shows. Most of these idents feature the mascots, named the Bugs, also known as the Bugbies. The Bugbies are yellow blobs with faces, and are similar to the ones used by CBBC between 2002 and 2005, with the only difference being the colour: green for CBBC and yellow for CBeebies with both using purple as a similarity. Most idents before the late 2010s feature children saying the channel name twice once the logo appears except the Bedtime idents. The idents have used a moving blobby, slimy-like background or rounded shapes in any colour. Each block has its own ident, and the Bedtime Hour has a few different idents. In 2016, new idents were made for each block, replacing the old ones and the slimy moving background idents were rarely shown. Idents featuring the CBeebies House with it changing to effect the current season have been used from 2016 to 2023.
On 15 March 2023, CBeebies underwent a rebranding by Blue Zoo to fully-adopt the BBC's new corporate branding, with the Bugs reimagined in a rounded square-shaped form to evoke the BBC logo, and a new suite of idents and animated scenes incorporating two- and three-dimensional elements.
Presenters
CBeebies
Live presenters have been on CBeebies since the channel's launch. They are used to fill the gaps between the shows that air on the channel, speaking directly to the child, doing certain activities such as arts and crafts, leading activities based on a topic from the website, showing viewers' birthday cards, and introducing the shows, well as hosting some of the shows. Many of the presenters have histories as characters in other services or on children's programmes.
International Presenters
The international variants feature different personalities per broadcast region.
• The Australian feed is the only non-UK service to feature more than one presenter, as this feed features three presenters. Tara Colegrave has presented since the channel's launch in 2008 and when the continuity links moved from the UK to Australia, she was joined by Robbie Harding and Duncan Fellows in 2011. • The Asian feed shown in countries like Thailand, Hong Kong and Singapore has Nisha Anil as the main presenter. • The now-defunct Latin American feed variant had Roser Cabañas as the presenter. • The Polish channel had Aneta Piotrowska as main presenter from its launch in 2008 until 2024. On some occasions between November 2014 to 2016 Aneta appeared on the UK channel. • The South African feed uses former UK presenter Sidney Sloane. Cat Sandion also presented on this feed before becoming a presenter on the UK version. • The CBeebies Alba block on BBC Alba uses Bard Cornark, Ben Cajee and Carrie Macneil as the presenters. • The Turkish feed uses the UK presenters (e.g., Cat Sandion and George Webster) dubbed over with Turkish voice actors.
CBeebies Bedtime Stories
CBeebies
The final scheduled show on CBeebies each day before the channel goes off air at 19:00 is CBeebies Bedtime Stories (or Stòiridh in Scottish Gaelic, airing on BBC Alba), in which a short picture book for preschool children is read by a guest storyteller. In recent years the show has featured prominent actors, musicians, comedians, sportspeople and past presenters of BBC children's television, including Tom Hardy, Harry Styles, Billie Eilish, Idris Elba, Kylie Minogue, Lewis Hamilton, Olivia Colman, Steve Carell, Kate Winslet, Ryan Reynolds, Paloma Faith, Jonathan Bailey, Jade Thirlwall and Jack Black.
The series is notable for being inclusive, including a story read in British Sign Language by Rose Ayling-Ellis, a story read using Braille by Paralympic athlete Lora Fachie, and a story read by Ed Sheeran on the topic of his childhood stammer.
In addition, a lunchtime story, featuring a simple picture book aimed at the younger end of the channel's audience, is usually read by one of the regular presenters on channel at lunchtime.
CBeebies HD
CBeebies
CBeebies HD logo (2013–2023)
The channel launched on 10 December 2013, though was rolled-out nationwide up to June 2014 (as did BBC News HD, CBBC HD and BBC Four HD). The channel broadcasts on a commercially operated HD multiplex on Freeview, with limited geographic coverage compared with other multiplexes, and shares its stream with BBC Four HD as they air at different times. Prior to launch, the majority of CBeebies' HD output was broadcast on BBC HD before its closure on 26 March 2013. CBeebies HD was temporarily removed from Freeview as well as BBC Four HD in June 2022, since the COM7 multiplex closed, and the two channels were on COM7, but they were re-added in September 2022.
Other ventures
CBeebies website
The CBeebies website coincided with the launch of the UK channel on 11 February 2002 and showcases a child friendly site with activities themed to various CBeebies programmes, past and present, with games, songs and print-outs featuring for nearly all the shows. The United Kingdom version also features links to CBeebies iPlayer, a child friendly version of the BBC iPlayer site or app featuring CBeebies programmes only, to CBeebies radio player and a dedicated micro site containing advice for raising children and toddlers called CBeebies Grown-ups, which was relaunched in 2011.
The international channels and associated websites are run by BBC Studios. As a result, not all of them are the same and some channels have less extensive websites than other services. CBeebies channels in Asia, Australia, Poland, South Africa and the USA all have their own international variant.
VHS and DVD releases
BBC Video (and later 2Entertain) have released several VHS/DVD compilations featuring shows airing on CBeebies at the time. From 2014 to 2017, Abbey Home Media released the compilations.
<table><thead><tr><th>VHS or DVD title</th><th>Release date</th><th>Programmes and Episodes</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>CBeebies: The Best of Pre-School Television</td><td>28 October 2002</td><td>Fimbles: Tambourine, Tweenies: Invitations, Bill and Ben: Around and Around, Andy Pandy: A Noisy Supper, Teletubbies Everywhere: Ice Skating (Finland)</td></tr><tr><td>Playtime: Introducing Tikkabilla</td><td>4 October 2004</td><td>Tikkabilla in a 45-minute special, Bill and Ben: Go Fly a Kite/A Piece of Sky, Tweenies: Champions, Yoho Ahoy: Pancake with Poop/Paint with Booty, Little Robots: A Bit of Give and Take/By Myself, Andy Pandy: Rub-A-Dub/Potato Prints NOTE: This VHS/DVD also has the Andy Pandy song Honey in it, which comes after Rub-A-Dub.</td></tr><tr><td>CBeebies: The Ultimate Party Collection</td><td>16 April 2007</td><td>Big Cook Little Cook: Postman, Bobinogs: Happy Bobi-Birthday, The Roly Mo Show: Little Bo's Birthday, Higgledy House: Birthday, Charlie and Lola: This is Actually My Party, Tweenies: Fizz's Birthday, Balamory: The Lost Letter, The Koala Brothers: Penny's Birthday Surprise, Fimbles: Party Hat, Lunar Jim: Jim's Birthday Surprise, LazyTown: Miss Roberta, Me Too: The Disco Taxi</td></tr><tr><td>CBeebies: The Ultimate Summer Collection</td><td>16 July 2007</td><td>Balamory: Beach Bonanza, Fimbles: Seashell, Boogie Beebies: Dancing on the Sand, The Koala Brothers: Lolly's New Flavour, Tweenies: Summer, Me Too: The Juicer, Little Robots: Under the Stars, Higgledy House: Holiday, The Roly Mo Show: Too Hot, Big Cook Little Cook: Holiday Maker, Charlie and Lola: The Most Wonderfullest Picnic in the Whole Wide World</td></tr><tr><td>CBeebies: The Ultimate Christmas Collection</td><td>12 November 2007</td><td>LazyTown: Surprise Santa, Boogie Beebies: I Wish it Would Snow, Balamory: Panto, Fimbles: Tune, Lunar Jim: Too Many Fluffies, Charlie and Lola: Snow is my Favourite and My Best, Big Cook Little Cook: Father Christmas, The Roly Mo Show: Too Cold, Tikkabilla: Christmas Special, Tweenies: White Christmas</td></tr><tr><td>CBeebies: Get Set Go!</td><td>21 July 2008</td><td>Boogie Beebies: Sporty Boogie Charlie and Lola: I Am Really, Really, Really Concentrating, Me Too: Sports Day, The Large Family: The Big Race, Tweenies: Fast and Slow, LazyTown: Sports Day, Little Robots: Good Sport Sporty, Higgledy House: Fitness, The Koala Brothers: George's Big Race, Balamory: Fun Run</td></tr><tr><td>CBeebies: Bedtime</td><td>20 October 2008</td><td>Charlie and Lola: I Am Not Sleepy and I Will Not Go to Bed, Fimbles: Moon, Me Too: I Want to Say Goodnight, Teletubbies: Putting Angus to Bed, Jackanory Junior: The King of Capri, The Roly Mo Show: Sweet Dreams, Little Robots: Sweet Dreams Scary, Balamory: Bedtime, Tweenies: Sleepover, Charlie and Lola: Can You Maybe Turn the Light On?</td></tr><tr><td>CBeebies: Big Fun Time</td><td>16 February 2009</td><td>Harry and Toto: Stop and Go, Brum: Airport Adventure, Little Robots: Metal Makes Us Special, LazyTown: Little Sportacus, Lunar Jim: Rover's Big Dig, Higgledy House: Babysitting, Charlie and Lola: I Want to Be Much More Bigger Like You, The Large Family: Elephants Never Forget, Tweenies: When I'm Older, The Koala Brothers: Mitzi's Busy Day, Boogie Beebies: Roll Up, Roll Up, Tommy Zoom: Confidence, Me Too: Smiles and Frowns</td></tr><tr><td>CBeebies: Discover + Do</td><td>25 May 2009</td><td>Get Squiggling: Bloodhound, Tikkabilla: Dressing up and Houses, Teletubbies: Bubble Pictures, Balamory: Treasure Hunt, Charlie and Lola: I wish I could draw exactly like you, Boogie Beebies: Building, Tweenies: Growing Bulbs, Big Cook Little Cook: Explorer, Fimbles: Cardboard Box</td></tr><tr><td>CBeebies: Greatest Hits!</td><td>26 April 2010</td><td>Teletubbies: Follow My Leader, Balamory: Disco, Charlie and Lola: I Can Dance Like a Dancer, The Roly Mo Show: Making Music, 3rd and Bird: A Chorus for Us!, LazyTown: Rockin Robbie, Tweenies: Favourite Songs, Harry and Toto: Quiet and Loud, Boogie Beebies: Baby Boogie, Little Robots: The Sound of Music, Fimbly Songtime: Fimble Dance, Tommy Zoom: Boyz Noise, Big Cook Little Cook: Pop Star, The Koala Brothers: Josie's New Tune, Dirtgirlworld: Creepy Crawly Concert</td></tr></tbody></table>
Album releases
Five CBeebies-branded CDs have been released, 'CBeebies: The Official Album' in 2002, 'My CBeebies Album' in 2006, 'My CBeebies Album (Christmas Edition)' in 2007, 'CBeebies: Song Time' in 2010, and 'CBeebies: The Album' in 2012.
CBeebies Land
CBeebies Land opened in May 2014. Designed as a retheme of the previous Storybook Land and Old McDonald's Farmyard areas of the Alton Towers theme park, it contains a range of themed rides, attractions and live entertainment based around various popular CBeebies programmes. It offers various indoor and outdoor activities aimed at making an immersive and interactive world for children and young families.
The site based within Alton Towers Resort in Staffordshire includes some of the more popular characters from the original channel for guests to meet. Described as a 'fun environment for pre-schoolers to play and learn' by critics. Before CBeebies Land, Alton Towers did not have enough rides suitable for young children and since opening, CBeebies Land now makes visiting the amusement park exciting for younger children.
At the start of the year, the theme park sporadically released information on the characters involved in the development via their Facebook and Twitter accounts.
• On 4 January, Mr Tumble was the first character confirmed – featuring in the Something Special Sensory Garden and 5 January saw Mr. Bloom confirmed as featuring in the development in the form of Mr Bloom's Allotments. • On 6 January, the park revealed an In the Night Garden... redesign of their existing Riverbank Eyespy. It features many characters from the show, like Iggle Piggle, Upsy Daisy and Makka Pakka.
The fourth reveal on 7 January was that of Nina and the Neurons It was an interactive science lab, which in 2024 became Cbeebies Land Sensory Space
More additions to CBeebies Land were added in Spring 2022. In December 2021, it was confirmed that Alton Towers were adding three new attractions to CBeebies Land, there was Hey Duggee: The Big Adventure Badge which replaced Tree Fu Tom Training Camp, Andy's Adventures Dinosaur Dig which replaced Mr Bloom's Alloment and JoJo and GranGran at Home which replaced Charlie and Lola's Moonsquirters & Green drops. On the 8th of September 2025, the latest addition to CBeebies Land was announced, a new Bluey rollercoaster,which opened on 28th March 2026, on the former site of Postman Pat's Parcel Post.
Awards
CBeebies
The UK channel and the programmes it has broadcast have received a number of awards throughout the years. In 2002, the CBeebies Interactive TV Services were nominated in the Best Interactive Service category and CBeebies Online was nominated in the same category in 2005 at the BAFTA Children's Awards. The channel was awarded Best Children's Channel and Highly Commended at the Broadcast Digital Channel Awards 2006; however, it achieved only nominations in 2007 and 2008. The channel was also named Children's Channel of the Year at the BAFTA Children's awards in 2006, 2010, 2011, 2013, 2016, 2018 and 2019 and was nominated for Channel of the Year in 2008.
The CBeebies UK website was nominated Best Interactive Site at the 2007 BAFTA Children's awards, and the brand as a whole also won the Best Design and Innovation award by the Royal Television Society, whose awarding panel said "Its website is an integral part of the brand, with its TV production and online teams working together to create innovative game play and immersive web experiences."