Watch CBBC

CBBC (meaning Children’s BBC) is a free-to-air channel that provides diverse children’s content under the principle of public broadcasting. The channel is owned by the BBC and caters to the audience aged 6 to 12.

The channel was launched in 2002 to gather under one roof the kids’ content provided on BBC One and BBC Two. The channel is on air daily from 7 am to 7 pm, sharing the time with BBC Choice and BBC Three.

CBBC has its own interactive website that offers free access to the channel programming and to a multitude of games, puzzles, chats, printable content, video clips, etc. Children can view specially designed news bulletins and sports coverage on this website as well.

Right from the start, CBBC was obliged to provide 1,000 of factual and school programming per year. Initially, Class TV content segment fulfilled this requirement, then in 2008 it was canceled, and in 2019 it was revived and remodeled to meet the new educational challenges.

CBBC underwent several major logo changes: in 2002-2007 it was a wobbly green triangle with rounded corners and a bright purple letter C inside, from 2007 to 2016 it was styled as a white graffiti on green background, and in 2016 it became a big letter C that has the lettering BBC in futuristic colorful font embedded inside.

For its young Gaelic-speaking viewers, CBBC Alba broadcasts content made purely in the Gaelic language. This small programming block was first aired in 2018 in Scotland. Its content is partially borrowed from CBBC (and translated into Gaelic) and is partially local and regionally produced programming.

CBBC has its high-definition branch that broadcasts the same programing but in HD quality. CBBC HD was launched in 2013, extended to Ireland and Scotland, underwent several changes in air time and now shares the bandwidth with several other channels.

The shows with the highest total number of views on the channel are episodes of series Tracy Beaker Returns and The Sarah Jane Adventures. Bothe series are long-running shows with literary roots, written and produced for young viewers.

CBBC won several awards at the Children’s BAFTA, namely, in 2008, 2012, and 2015. Its content consistently reflects the channels’ remit to ‘create high quality content’ and ‘provide a stimulating, creative, and enjoyable environment that is also safe and trusted.’

CBBC once had its CBBC Extra branch of interactive television available under the BBC Red Button service. The branch hosted interactive shows for kids and special features for holidays. It was launched in 2013 and closed in 2016.