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The BBC has announced a new slate of children’s programming for CBBC, CBeebies and BBC iPlayer, including returning series and new shows. Confirmed highlights include Judge Hacker, the eighth series of Deadly 60 and the 12th series of Horrible Histories; several other programmes have schedules extending into 2027 and 2028.
The BBC has announced a new slate of children’s programmes for CBBC, CBeebies and BBC iPlayer, including a courtroom comedy starring Hacker T Dog, the eighth series of Deadly 60 and the 12th series of Horrible Histories. The schedule also includes returning shows for younger viewers and new titles, with some release dates set as far ahead as 2028.
Judge Hacker will give the character, performed by Phil Fletcher, his own courtroom in a 15-part CBBC series. The show is set to feature children and adults bringing everyday “crimes” before Hacker, who will deliver verdicts alongside lawyers Lorna Rose Treen and Toussaint Douglass. The BBC’s announcement says the format will also include games, comedy and celebrity guests. It is due to launch in early 2027.
Naturalist and presenter Steve Backshall will return for the eighth series of Deadly 60. The announced locations include Japan, India, Thailand and Australia. The report says Backshall will search for giant salamanders in Japan, track swamp tigers in the Sundarbans, encounter monitor lizards in Bangkok and dive with great white sharks in Australia. No release date for the new series was provided in the source material.
Horrible Histories is also returning for season 12. Planned episode subjects include the original Gladiators, historical figures described as traitors, the Saxons, the French Revolution and Bonnie Prince Charlie. A Beethoven special is being made with the BBC Concert Orchestra to mark 200 years since his death. The slate also includes a third series of Gladiators: Epic Pranks, with children choosing prank targets, plus Halloween and Christmas specials and watch-along episodes.
Familiar BBC Shows Get New Runs
The announcement spans different age groups and formats rather than focusing on a single flagship show. For families, it confirms that several established titles will continue while the BBC also commissions new entertainment, factual and animated programming. The returning series include wildlife television, historical comedy and a prank show, alongside CBeebies programmes aimed at younger children.
The dates also show that the slate is planned across several years: some returning programmes are due in 2027, while a new animated title is scheduled for 2028. This gives viewers a clearer indication of what the BBC plans to bring back, but it does not mean every programme has a confirmed episode-by-episode schedule or a specific launch date.
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A Slate Across Both Channels
The BBC’s announcement covers both CBBC, aimed at older children, and CBeebies, which serves younger audiences, as well as BBC iPlayer. The MadeForMums report describes the line-up as including comedy, wildlife, sport, animation and factual programming. BBC Children’s and Education Director Patricia Hidalgo characterized it as a broad mix for children and families.
Other announced returns and commissions include a second series of BeddyByes, due in spring 2027, and a third series of Football Fantastics, planned for summer 2027. A second series of Maddie & Triggs is planned as 52 seven-minute episodes, with the first 26 due from mid-2027. The slate also includes the animated series Animal Allsorts, scheduled for 2028, and 10 festive episodes of Tiny Tunes in 2026.
““the breadth and creativity we want children and families to find at the BBC””
— Patricia Hidalgo, Director of BBC Children’s and Education
Schedules Still Vary by Show
The announcement does not give launch dates for every programme. While the source identifies windows for Judge Hacker, BeddyByes, Football Fantastics, Maddie & Triggs, Tiny Tunes and Animal Allsorts, it does not specify when the new Deadly 60, Horrible Histories or third Gladiators: Epic Pranks series will air. Episode counts are also not provided for most of the returning titles.
The BBC has not supplied further details in the cited material about the full cast, episode schedules or the exact availability of each programme on iPlayer. Dates and production details may be clarified in later announcements.
Watch for Release Dates
The next confirmed milestones in the source are the return of Tiny Tunes with 10 festive episodes in 2026, followed by several scheduled launches in 2027. Judge Hacker is due on CBBC in early 2027; BeddyByes is planned for spring, Football Fantastics for summer and the first 26 new Maddie & Triggs episodes from mid-year. Animal Allsorts is scheduled for 2028.
Further BBC updates will be needed to establish exact broadcast dates and the schedules for the other series. Until then, the announced windows are the available guide to when viewers can expect the programmes.
Key Questions
What is Judge Hacker?
Judge Hacker is a planned 15-part CBBC comedy entertainment series in which Hacker T Dog presides over cases about everyday “crimes.” Phil Fletcher performs Hacker, with lawyers Lorna Rose Treen and Toussaint Douglass also named in the announcement.
When will Judge Hacker air?
The series is due to launch on CBBC in early 2027. The source does not give a specific broadcast date.
Where will the new Deadly 60 series take place?
The eighth series is set to feature Steve Backshall in Japan, India, Thailand and Australia. Announced wildlife subjects include giant salamanders, swamp tigers, monitor lizards and great white sharks.
Is Horrible Histories returning?
Yes. The BBC has announced season 12, with episodes planned on subjects including the Saxons, the French Revolution and Bonnie Prince Charlie, as well as a Beethoven special made with the BBC Concert Orchestra.
When will the other announced children’s programmes be released?
Dates vary. The source gives windows from 2026 to 2028 for some titles, including Tiny Tunes in 2026, several CBeebies returns in 2027 and Animal Allsorts in 2028. It does not provide a full schedule for every programme.
Source: rss
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