Find the next Grange Hill, Peppa Pig and Byker Grove.
The search for "the next big thing" in UK Children's Television is gearing up as part of a £60 million initiative being introduced by Government to support the nation's vibrant broadcast sector.
Culture Secretary Jeremy Wright has today announced that the Contestable Fund which aims to halt the decline of UK produced children's content and reverse the growing trend of airing repeats, will also include:
• More support for programming in indigenous UK languages such as Welsh and Gaelic;
• A multi-million pound boost for commercial radio; and
• A special fund to help fledgling production companies develop and pitch their original ideas to make them a reality
In December 2017 plans for a pilot fund were announced and following further engagement with industry including broadcasters, producers and other interested parties the final elements of the initiative have been unveiled today.
Further guidance, including how to apply to both of the funds, will be published by the fund administrators in the new year. The pilot will then be open for applications in April 2019.
