Blue Peter axed

BBC removes children's programming from main channels...

10:34 17 May 2012

The BBC has announced it is axing Blue Peter and other children's shows from its main channels.

The move will see all children's programming appearing solely on the CBBC Channel and CBeebies.

The decision is said to be due to the digital switchover, however, Digital Spy reports that is it also part of director general Mark Thompson's Delivering Quality First plan, which aims to cut millions from the budget and reassess output.

The BBC Trust has said that the switch will have a "very low" impact on children, but rescheduling issues may lead to "some short-term confusion among viewers about where to find children's output".

No date has been set for the change, but the last analogue transmitters will be switched off between 10 and 24 October 2012.

Blue Peter is the longest-running children's television programme in the world and has been on our screens since 1958.

The show is currently presented by Helen Skelton and Barney Harwood.