BBC Kids (Australian TV channel) explained

BBC Kids was an Australian pay television channel using the BBC Kids brand, currently exclusive to Telstra's Fetch TV. The channel is aimed at 6 to 10-year-olds and broadcasts comedy, documentaries, drama, entertainment and nature shows that were originally aired on CBBC in the UK.^[1]

History

On 30 April 2020, Disney closed their Australian children's channels (Disney Channel and Disney Junior), and Cartoon Network and Boomerang became bound to an exclusive agreement with Foxtel in April 2021.^[2] This left Fetch TV with little children's content. In response it commissioned BBC Studios to create a domestic BBC Kids channel.

BBC Kids, along with NickMusic, launched on April 24, 2021. The channel complemented an existing CBeebies channel available in Australia, catering to children aged 0 to 6. On 31 October 2024, it ceased operations along with CBeebies on Fetch.

Final programming

The shows that were broadcast on the channel were as follows:^[3]

Current programming (2021-2024)

• Deadly 60 on a Mission
• Horrible Histories
• Jamie Johnson
• Leonardo
• M.I. High
• Project Parent
• Super Human Challenge
• The Dumping Ground
• The Next Step
• The Sarah Jane Adventures

Cancelled programming

• Blue Peter

Notes and References

1. Web site: 2021-03-22 . BBC Kids and Nick Music to join Fetch . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20210324055437/https://mumbrella.com.au/bbc-kids-and-nick-music-to-join-fetch-674953 . 2021-03-24 . 2021-04-06 . Mumbrella.
2. Web site: Perry . Kevin . 2021-03-22 . FETCH adds BBC Kids and Nick Music after FOXTEL secures WB channels . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20210324102818/https://tvblackbox.com.au/page/2021/03/23/fetch-adds-bbc-kids-and-nick-music-after-foxtel-secures-wb-channels/ . 2021-03-24 . 2021-04-06 . TV Blackbox.
3. Web site: Fetch. 2021-04-24. www.fetchtv.com.au.