Ofcom tells ITV, Ch4 and Ch5 to ‘revitalise’ children’s shows after review finds younger generation opt for Netflix and YouTube
- Regulator warned broadcasters were not showing enough ‘on screen diversity’
- ITV1 has slashed their original children’s programming from 158 hours in 2006 to 47 hours in 2017 and Channel 4 no longer makes any new children’s shows
- The media watchdog’s damning review said the channels need to find ‘innovative ways’ to use the internet to reach children
Ofcom has told ITV, Channel 4 and Channel 5 they need to make more children’s programmes after a review found they were falling behind Netflix and YouTube.
The regulator warned the broadcasters they were not showing enough ‘on screen diversity’ and has given each of the commercial public service broadcasters until March 2019 to improve.
The broadcasters have cut investment in children’s programming as younger viewers abandon traditional TV for Netflix and YouTube.
Peppa Pig, shown on Channel 5, is one of the most popular children’s TV shows
It comes as the networks invest less in children’s programming as younger viewers turn to online streaming services.
ITV1 has slashed their original children’s programming from 158 hours in 2006 to 47 hours in 2017 and Channel 4 no longer makes any new children’s programmes.
The media watchdog’s damning review said the channels need to find ‘innovative ways’ to use the internet to reach children and ‘revitalise their approach to how and what they offer to young audiences’.
Ofcom’s review found ninety percent of older children watch YouTube and the broadcasters ‘lack of original, high-quality programmes specifically made for older children across all programme genres’ and there was a ‘limited range of original, high quality children’s programmes that allow UK children of all ages and backgrounds to see themselves and their lives reflected on screen.’
The review also said that TV viewing dropped by 40 per cent for children aged four to nine and by 47 per cent for children aged 10 to 15 between 2010 and 2017.
Paw Patrol, created in Canada, is one of the many international shows shown on UK children’s TV
However, the report found children want more shows and would watch TV programmes that are relevant to them.
One in three children aged eight to 11 believe there not enough shows are being made about children who live in the same part of the country as them, and 35 per cent said there aren’t enough shows for those who look like them.
A third of young teenagers, those aged 12-15 said there weren’t enough children’s shows for people their age.
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