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Blue Peter to be shown on CBBC before BBC One | Blue Peter to be shown on CBBC before BBC One |
(3 days later) | |
The BBC's flagship children's show Blue Peter is to be cut to just one episode a week and will be shown on CBBC a day before BBC One, it has been announced. | The BBC's flagship children's show Blue Peter is to be cut to just one episode a week and will be shown on CBBC a day before BBC One, it has been announced. |
The change marks a big upheaval for the long-running magazine programme, which launched in October 1958. | The change marks a big upheaval for the long-running magazine programme, which launched in October 1958. |
From 12 January, new episodes will be screened on CBBC on Thursday. | From 12 January, new episodes will be screened on CBBC on Thursday. |
At the moment the programme is shown on Mondays and Tuesdays. However, the BBC said the total number of episodes produced would not decrease. | At the moment the programme is shown on Mondays and Tuesdays. However, the BBC said the total number of episodes produced would not decrease. |
The shortfall will be made up by additional specials, and the cancellation of the programme's traditional summer break. | The shortfall will be made up by additional specials, and the cancellation of the programme's traditional summer break. |
A BBC spokeswoman said: "The amount of air time we devote to Blue Peter remains exactly the same, we are just scheduling it differently." | A BBC spokeswoman said: "The amount of air time we devote to Blue Peter remains exactly the same, we are just scheduling it differently." |
She added the changes meant there is greater "flexibility to introduce additional specials that will go into more depth on events and activities". | She added the changes meant there is greater "flexibility to introduce additional specials that will go into more depth on events and activities". |
These will include a Stargazing Live special in the new year, and a nine-part series following presenter Helen Skelton's bicycle trip to the South Pole for Sport Relief. | These will include a Stargazing Live special in the new year, and a nine-part series following presenter Helen Skelton's bicycle trip to the South Pole for Sport Relief. |
At one stage the programme, which began in 1958, was broadcast three times a week, with additional spin-off shows. | At one stage the programme, which began in 1958, was broadcast three times a week, with additional spin-off shows. |
But audience fragmentation and schedule changes have seen viewing figures slip over the last few years. | But audience fragmentation and schedule changes have seen viewing figures slip over the last few years. |
In 2002, the show regularly attracted more than 1.4m viewers. By 2008, when the BBC changed the programme's time slot from 17:00 to 16:30 GMT, figures fell from 940,000 to 580,000. | In 2002, the show regularly attracted more than 1.4m viewers. By 2008, when the BBC changed the programme's time slot from 17:00 to 16:30 GMT, figures fell from 940,000 to 580,000. |
Revamped show | Revamped show |
The production team recently moved to Salford, from where the revamped show is now being broadcast. | The production team recently moved to Salford, from where the revamped show is now being broadcast. |
Over the years, Blue Peter has helped launch the careers of many TV presenters, including Matt Baker, Janet Ellis, John Noakes, Konnie Huq and Anthea Turner. | Over the years, Blue Peter has helped launch the careers of many TV presenters, including Matt Baker, Janet Ellis, John Noakes, Konnie Huq and Anthea Turner. |
It has become best known for the craft section, where presenters show viewers how to make things using supplies found at home. | It has become best known for the craft section, where presenters show viewers how to make things using supplies found at home. |
The term, "here's one I made earlier" was coined early on after presenters kept producing items that had been made before broadcast. | The term, "here's one I made earlier" was coined early on after presenters kept producing items that had been made before broadcast. |
The most famous example was a model of Tracy Island from the TV show Thunderbirds, created by the programme's staff at Christmas 1992 after the real article had sold out in toy shops across the country. | |
Thousands of viewers (and their parents) wrote in for the instruction sheet, overwhelming the production team. The how-to guide is now available on the BBC's website. | Thousands of viewers (and their parents) wrote in for the instruction sheet, overwhelming the production team. The how-to guide is now available on the BBC's website. |
Blue Peter is also famous for its pets - current cuddly creatures include Barney the dog and Socks the cat - not to mention the visiting animals who have caused havoc on the set. | Blue Peter is also famous for its pets - current cuddly creatures include Barney the dog and Socks the cat - not to mention the visiting animals who have caused havoc on the set. |
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