**Note: this item may be out of date. Kidscreen is working to update by fall 2023
BBC Children’s recently announced a number of hires and promotions following a restructuring scheme. The pubcaster’s former head of content Cheryl Taylor is departing, with director of children’s and education Patricia Hidalgo now leading kids content efforts. Sarah Muller, previously head of acquisitions and animation, is now head of commissioning and acquisitions for sevens and up. Kate Morton, meanwhile, is head of commissioning and acquisitions for zero to six-year-olds.
Muller is looking for content that will compliment the shows on the CBeebies and CBBC slates. This includes animation and live action, with a particular focus on animated series. Muller is interested in animated character-driven comedies for the six to nine set as well as animated shows that feature action and adventure for the under-six audience (think PJ Masks). When it comes to live-action content, meanwhile, she says the team is on the hunt for shows that will act as a window into worlds kids might not necessarily have access to through UK content—think Hulu’s Holly Hobbie, which highlights rural life in North America.
For preschool channel CBeebies, alongside series that encourage sharing and caring, the team is looking for content that promotes a sense of wonder and responsibility for the planet. However, CBeebies has five new animal-based natural history shows and won’t need more of this type of content for the next 18 months.
Another priority are bridge and co-viewing shows that can help CBeebies viewers graduate to more mature content for six- to 12-year-olds on CBBC, and push older-end CBBC viewers to discover more on BBC’s on-demand streaming service iPlayer. iPlayer gives the pubcaster more opportunities to introduce preschoolers and older kids to new brands. For example, Andy and the Band featuring BBC Children's presenter Andy Day targets five to nine-year-olds and recently launched on BBC iPlayer. Day is well known from CBeebies' educational series Andy's Adventures, which includes Andy's Safari Adventures and Andy's Wild Adventures.
Co-productions are hugely important to Muller, and she hopes to continue to ink international partnerships in an effort to engage with different perspectives and experiences, and to celebrate and reflect the diverse lives of all UK kids. This diversity also needs to be reflected behind the camera as well, Muller says. In addition to partnering with schools and universities to find emerging talent, BBC Children’s is working to make diversity and inclusion requirements a part of negotiations at the commissioning stage.
For children’s acquisitions and independent animation for zero- to six-year-olds in particular, the team is keen to hear from more Black, Asian, and minority ethnic (BAME) companies in the UK and internationally in the coming months with family-focused comedic show concepts. The pubcaster is open to both pre-buys and completed programs for CBeebies.
In the short-term, the focus is on bringing fun and humor back into families’ lives following the difficult pandemic years.
Long-term, Muller says the team is working to reassess and develop a new strategy for post-pandemic times.
Team
Sarah Muller Senior Head of Commissioning (7+)
Kate Morton Head of Commissioning & Acquisitions (0 to 6)
Demographic
Audiences aged zero to 12
Format
2D Animation
3D Animation
CG Animation
Live Action
Mixed Media
Scripted
Specials
Unscripted
How to Pitch
Muller and the BBC Children's team can be reached via the Children's commissioning page at bbc.co.uk/commissioning/childrens
Contact
Muller and the BBC Children's team can be reached via the Children's commissioning page at bbc.co.uk/commissioning/childrens
