The Stage

Problem programming

Published Monday 14 January 2008 at 16:50

We welcome Russell T Davies’ comments in The Stage (December 12) that the children’s television sector should continue to be funded, but it is not true to suggest that calls for ensuring children have a choice of UK-made programmes on a variety of channels are out of touch with media consumption trends.

Children’s viewing habits are changing, but in the opposite way than your article suggests.

Ofcom’s figures show that children’s viewing of children’s programming is increasing, despite the distractions of the internet and games. Like it or not, children are watching more children’s TV than ever. Where children’s viewing of television is falling is in adult or family programming, like the examples of Coronation Street and EastEnders cited in the article as potential alternatives.

The problem, as Ofcom’s recent report found, is that just 1% of children’s programmes broadcast in the UK are new, UK-made productions, and the situation is getting worse. There is nothing wrong with imported programming, but there is a need to offer children a mix of programming that also includes home grown shows that reflect the lives they lead today, and these shows need to be across a range of channels that can reflect different viewpoints. That is why we are asking people to contact their MPs at www.pact.co.uk/campaign/, and to sign the number 10 petition at http://petitions.pm.gov.uk/kidstelevision/.

John McVay

Chief executive

Producers Alliance for Cinema and Television (Pact)

Holborn, WC1