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Call for debate on children's TV Call for debate on children's TV
(about 2 hours later)
Media regulator Ofcom has called for a national debate on the future of children's TV in Britain, saying just 17% of output is now homegrown.Media regulator Ofcom has called for a national debate on the future of children's TV in Britain, saying just 17% of output is now homegrown.
It stresses that such shows attract more than a third of all viewing. It stressed that such shows attract more than a third of all viewing.
In a report, Ofcom says parents are understandably concerned about the decline in UK-made programmes on the main commercial channels. In a report, Ofcom said parents were understandably concerned about the decline in British-made programmes in favour of cartoons and US imports.
It says investment by ITV1, GMTV, Channel 4 and Channel Five has halved in real terms since 1998. It said investment by ITV1, GMTV, Channel 4 and Five had halved in real terms since 1998.
However, overall there has never been so much children's programming on British television, with 25 dedicated channels and 113,000 hours of programmes each year. Overall there has never been so much children's programming on British television, with 25 dedicated channels and 113,000 hours of programmes each year.
Cultural differencesCultural differences
Figures produced for the report - the most substantial analysis of British children's TV ever produced - showed that in 2006, cartoons accounted for 61% of children's programming. But figures produced for the report - the most substantial analysis of British children's TV ever produced - showed that in 2006, cartoons accounted for 61% of children's programming.
The thing we are very concerned about is that it's important for kids to understand and reflect their own culture Peter Phillips, OfcomThe thing we are very concerned about is that it's important for kids to understand and reflect their own culture Peter Phillips, Ofcom
Overall investment in new British children's programmes dropped by £18m from £127m in 1998 to £109m last year.Overall investment in new British children's programmes dropped by £18m from £127m in 1998 to £109m last year.
There was also a reduction in the amount spent on public service children's broadcasting - from £152m in 2002 to £99m last year.There was also a reduction in the amount spent on public service children's broadcasting - from £152m in 2002 to £99m last year.
Just 1% of children's programming was made in the UK and being broadcast for the first time.Just 1% of children's programming was made in the UK and being broadcast for the first time.
Ofcom's Peter Phillips said: "The thing we are very concerned about is that it's important for kids to understand and reflect their own culture.Ofcom's Peter Phillips said: "The thing we are very concerned about is that it's important for kids to understand and reflect their own culture.
"Grange Hill does that for British kids in a way that American dramas, however good they are, don't do because of the cultural differences.""Grange Hill does that for British kids in a way that American dramas, however good they are, don't do because of the cultural differences."
Declining advertisingDeclining advertising
Ofcom said children strongly preferred programmes made in the UK.Ofcom said children strongly preferred programmes made in the UK.
Programmes with the most viewers, including Blue Peter and Newsround, are all homegrown.Programmes with the most viewers, including Blue Peter and Newsround, are all homegrown.
The regulator said parents value highly the role children's TV plays in society, but that fewer than 50% think it is now delivering public service purposes satisfactorily.The regulator said parents value highly the role children's TV plays in society, but that fewer than 50% think it is now delivering public service purposes satisfactorily.
They particularly want more drama and factual programmes for older children.They particularly want more drama and factual programmes for older children.
Ofcom said that, although the BBC had increased its children's output, ITV and the other main commercial channels had cut theirs by more than 50% with advertising declining and competition growing.Ofcom said that, although the BBC had increased its children's output, ITV and the other main commercial channels had cut theirs by more than 50% with advertising declining and competition growing.
It may not be in the audience's long-term interests to have one broadcaster commissioning such a large proportion of shows, the regulator added.It may not be in the audience's long-term interests to have one broadcaster commissioning such a large proportion of shows, the regulator added.