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'Crisis' in children's TV debated 'Crisis' in children's TV debated
(about 4 hours later)
Broadcasters, producers and regulators are meeting later to discuss what one campaign group describes as a "growing crisis" in children's television.Broadcasters, producers and regulators are meeting later to discuss what one campaign group describes as a "growing crisis" in children's television.
Voice of the Listener & Viewer fears the impact BBC cuts could have on the back of ITV's decision to stop commissioning new shows for children.Voice of the Listener & Viewer fears the impact BBC cuts could have on the back of ITV's decision to stop commissioning new shows for children.
It calls this a "double blow" which could have "a devastating effect".It calls this a "double blow" which could have "a devastating effect".
Last month media regulator Ofcom called for a national debate about the amount of UK-made children's TV screened here.Last month media regulator Ofcom called for a national debate about the amount of UK-made children's TV screened here.
In a report, Ofcom said parents were understandably concerned about the decline in British-made programmes in favour of cartoons and US imports. In a report, Ofcom said parents were understandably concerned about the decline in UK-made programmes in favour of cartoons and US imports.
It said investment by ITV1, GMTV, Channel 4 and Five had halved in real terms since 1998. It said investment by ITV1, GMTV, Channel 4 and Five had halved in real terms since 1998 and that the future provision of new UK-made children's programming, particularly drama and factual, from broadcasters other than the BBC looked "increasingly uncertain".
Voice of the Listener & Viewer, which campaigns for quality broadcasting, said the planned savings of 5% a year for six years in the BBC children's budget were "draconian" and a "betrayal of the public service ethos". The Voice of the Listener & Viewer, which campaigns for quality broadcasting, said planned savings of 5% a year for six years in the BBC children's budget were "draconian" and a "betrayal of the public service ethos".
It will debate the issue with commissioners from the BBC and channel Five, programme-makers and regulators at a meeting on Wednesday. Its 13th annual conference at the British Academy, in London, will debate the issue with commissioners from the BBC and channel Five, programme-makers and regulators.
The BBC is expected to say that new technology and ways of working can bring efficiencies without cutting quality, and there will be new investment to put children's output online and on digital radio, as well as on television.The BBC is expected to say that new technology and ways of working can bring efficiencies without cutting quality, and there will be new investment to put children's output online and on digital radio, as well as on television.