The quite frankly bonkers world of Humbah, Zumbah, Zingbah, Jumbah and Jingbah, AKA the Boobahs (ITV). Photograph: PA/Handout.
In the beginning, there was Uncle Mac. He had a soft, toffee-flavoured voice and an ingratiating manner. "Hello children ... everywhere." But at least Mac (real name Derek) was there for all of us who tuned into the BBC Home Service in search of something for kids, not po-faced, news-obsessed adults. Here was our own small zone of special interest. Here, to the minute, was Children's Hour.
And now? You totter downstairs to make the weekend breakfast coffee, and four of five terrestrial television channels are stuffed solid with children's programming. Japanese, Czech, Korean cartoons? Order them by the computerised yard. Jolly Aussie aunties skipping around in leotards, just in case some bleary dad is watching. Teletubbies, Fimbles, Tweenies, dubbed into dozens of languages and merchandised around the globe. Twenty-seven different satellite channels, Pokemon, Scooby-Doo and Tracy Beaker unlimited. When the BBC, anxious to keep the licence fee intact, volunteers to move some of its home away from west London, the first major department on the slow train to Manchester is the one that makes children's programmes. The wagons are rolling north. Kids are all around us. Kids are big business ...
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