Busy Bees links up with digital children’s TV channel
Laura Marcus
Tuesday, June 21, 2016
Children from Busy Bees nurseries and co-founder of the group Marg Randles are stars of a new online children’s channel.
E-Bop.tv is the first British digital children’s television channel to launch with a built-in control that switches the channel off after two hours of activity.
The channel aims to be a portal for original, British digital content inspiring children and parents to switch off the TV and learn through play. Content includes TV series, Vlog posts, magazine-style articles, and downloadable resources. It also has a no advertising policy.
The channel’s ‘anchor’ is a dog called Herbie the Hound, a two-year-old Grand Baset Griffon Vendeen, owned by co-founder Victoria Brook. Co-founder Keith Littler has produced and written BAFTA-nominated series for the BBC, Nickelodean and ITV.
As well as regular blog posts from Ms Randles and early years director Lisa Snell, the first three episodes of ‘Don’t Like It, Won’t Eat It’ feature nursery children from Busy Bees.
In the show chefs cook healthy meals and then tempt a panel of children to eat them. The children can try the food and then choose to celebrate it or detonate it – if they detonate it the chef gets custard pied in the face.
The nursery chain will also be promoting the channel in 150 UK locations via posters, competitions and activities.
Busy Bees managing director Marg Randles said, ‘Busy Bees recognises the need for quality, fun learning experiences for children whether that be at nursery or within the home. It also recognises the growing concerns of parents regarding the safety and welfare of their children as they spend more and more time online.
‘Whether we like it or not, digital platforms are the future and young children today have daily access to iPads and computers, as well as television. With limited and controlled viewing and emphasis on interactive play, digital programmes can provide engaging and stimulating learning experiences for young children.
‘We welcome E-Bop.tv and its promise to represent our values, and help to alleviate parental concerns around TV and digital viewing for children, through mindful content and safe viewing controls.’
- To watch Busy Bees children in ‘Don’t Like It, Won’t Eat It’ visit http://www.e-bop.tv/
