MediaCity-based BBC Children’s and Education has announced a new slate of commissions across CBBC, CBeebies and BBC iPlayer, bringing together much-loved returning favourites and exciting new programmes for children and families.
For 7+ audiences, Wigan’s favourite canine son and Blue Peter regular, Hacker T Dog, takes charge of his very own courtroom in brand-new comedy entertainment format Judge Hacker. The new show promises gags, games and celebrity guests as Hacker T Dog, performed by Phil Fletcher, presides over cases alongside lawyers Lorna Rose Treen and Toussaint Douglass, delivering his verdicts and suitably fitting punishments. Judge Hacker is produced and distributed by DLT Entertainment UK Ltd for CBBC and will launch in early 2027.
Deadly 60 returns for an eighth series with Steve Backshall embarking on more ambitious wildlife adventures filmed across Japan, India, Thailand and Australia.
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Gladiators: Epic Pranks is also back for a third series with a new twist that puts kids in control. The Gladiators spin-off is made by Hungry Bear TV Media.
A new series of Horrible Histories features specially themed episodes about the original Gladiators and history’s greatest Traitors and, to mark the 200th anniversary of Beethoven’s death, there’s also a celebration episode in his honour, in partnership with the BBC Concert Orchestra, as well as episodes featuring The Saxons, the French Revolution and Bonnie Prince Charlie.
Meanwhile, brand-new animated adventure Hyperlight – Battle of the Guardians, from A Productions with Scrawl Animation as production partner, is set in a hyper-connected future.
On CBeebies, young football fans can get back in on the action as Football Fantastics returns for a third series, while BeddyByes returns with more gentle adventures for MeMo and BaBa, and Maddie & Triggs is back for more magical, musical adventures around Higgledy-Piggledy.
Spanning comedy, wildlife, entertainment, sport and factual programming, the new slate promises “big laughs, bold adventures and engaging stories for children and families across the UK.”
Patricia Hidalgo, director of BBC Children’s and Education, said: “This slate is a brilliant example of the breadth and creativity we want children and families to find at the BBC. From trusted favourites they already love to bold new ideas and characters, we’re investing in distinctive, home-grown, high-quality content that entertains, inspires and connects with children at every stage of growing up, ensuring the BBC continues to play an important role in their lives.”
Image: Judge Hacker (DLT Entertainment UK Ltd/BBC)
