CBBC (TV Channel) - History

History

The CBBC strand was originally launched on 9 September 1985 on BBC One, and was eventually launched as a separate channel running alongside the strand in 2002 on all major platforms. It had to share bandwidth with another channel on the DTT platform: this was initially BBC Knowledge on the ITV Digital platform, but following their collapse, the channel shared bandwidth with BBC Choice on the replacement system Freeview. In both cases, the channels could be accessed by separate numbers.

From launch, the channel was notably separate from the strand it was created from. While on screen both used the same logos and many of the same presenters, the studios were different: the new channel using TC2 while the strand used the purpose built TC9. TC2 however was shared by the channel so other programmes, such as short Newsround bulletins, as well as the magazine show Xchange also came from the studio.

Throughout the channel's life, the channel became less and less distinctive from its strand counterpart and resources were reduced: the continuity presenters were reduced in number from two to one, with Simon Grant, Matt Edmondson and Angellica Bell leaving as CBBC studio presenters without being replaced, and the studios were replaced with a Colour separation overlay (CSO) set in studio TC12. In 2007, the BBC confirmed plans for a major rebrand of CBBC, with new channel idents and presentation launching on 3 September 2007.

Towards the latter part of its life, the channel has increased its accessibility to its audience: the new look links the service to the website heavily, and the rebrand of the website in 2011 has increased this access. On 22 August 2008, the BBC Press Office announced that the channel would be available live on the CBBC website from 16 September, with the possibility that the channels hours may extend to 9.00pm being announced as part of the BBC's review in strategy on 2 March 2010. CBBC's reach further expanded with the addition of the channel on the Sky EPG in the Republic of Ireland on 12 May 2011. On the same day BBC Three, BBC Four and CBeebies were also added to the Irish EPG.

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