Insights Ofcom consults on BBC’s request to change CBBC original productions quota in its Operating Licence

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Ofcom explains that as young viewers increasingly turn to online services, CBBC now reaches 14% of children aged 6-12 on TV each week, compared to 27% in 2015.

In response to this decline and to strengthen the appeal of CBBC, part of the BBC’s plan is to invest in more UK animations, and to modestly increase programme acquisitions. These plans require a change to its Operating Licence.

Ofcom says that it recognises the audience challenge facing CBBC and proposes to accept the BBC’s request to reduce the original productions quota for the channel, from 72% of all hours to 66% for each of 2022 and 2023, and 68% for 2024 and onwards.

The BBC’s quota for first-run original UK productions on CBBC remains unaffected.

Ofcom is inviting views on this decision by 7 April 2022. It plans to publish its final decision in Spring 2022. To access the consultation, click here.