The Children’s Media Summit ’26: Delivering Public and Personal Value
As delivery of tailored content on platforms like YouTube and Roblox is set to extend the BBC’s reach amongst the young, what are the implications for the future of the children’s media industry and the Corporation’s public service responsibilities? CMF Board Member Jayne Kirkham listened in to Patricia Hidalgo, Director of BBC Children’s and Education as she gave her keynote speech.
With the Charter Review under way and a new agreement announced between the BBC and YouTube, Patricia Hidalgo, Director of BBC Children’s and Education, reflected on how the BBC has adapted its strategy to a changing media landscape and outlined its vision for the future of producing and providing rich, relevant and varied content for young people.
In a nutshell, Patricia feels strongly that the BBC should be protected and strengthened in its role as a world leader for kids’ media. Children’s media matters as part of our wider culture. There is an obligation to give our ‘citizens in the making’ a balanced media diet. But as Ofcom has confirmed, YouTube is now the biggest platform for children’s content. But most of that content is not homegrown.
Representation matters. Public value matters. Public service values should be everywhere. “We must meet children where they are without losing sight of who we are.”
But the current funding models are unsustainable. Patricia would welcome enhanced tax credits for cultural relevance in content, stating that international tax regimes with competitive incentives add attraction for inward investment in the industry as a whole. If the industry thrives, it is in a better position to provide high quality content that is available ‘however and wherever’. Measures to bring fresh money into the system must benefit the whole industry and ALL platforms must help, all platforms must share the responsibility.
In the midst of the Charter Renewal process, the BBC is at a critical moment. Patricia called for collective action, “investing in a generation.” She advocates enhanced prominence for public service content on platforms like YouTube to create a more balanced ecosystem; by elevating public service content we would all benefit as we invest in our children.
With regard to the government’s green paper consultation, she urged everyone to respond. The BBC needs sustainable funding, “It is an incredible institution and needs to survive.”
You can watch Patricia’s full speech and following interview with Max Goldbart (International TV Editor, Deadline) here:
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