Saturday morning kids TV – is it gone forever?

I read a great article on the BBC News website earlier, talking about the sad demise of Saturday morning kids’ TV, and whether we think it’ll ever make a return.

Throughout the seventies and early eighties, most children could be found glued to the TV every Saturday morning, whilst their mums were off doing the shopping.  Of course, with no satellite TV, DVD or even video at that stage, and only three TV channels, a regular TV slot dedicated to kids was cause for real excitement. 

Some programmes, such as Swap Shop or Saturday Superstore featured not only the latest pop acts, but also touched upon issues which were particularly pertinent, offering up campaigners and politicians for interview.    However, of course if you fancied something a little more silly and madcap, there was always Tiswas on the other side!

This blend of play and education really hit a note with the children of that time and proved to be effective for many years.  Unfortunately, in the latter part of the eighties, more choice and variety of programme became available, and instead of continuing to cater for children of all ages, producers instead chose to focus on the teen market.  Younger children were either left to attend scheduled activity classes or watch cartoons on satellite TV.

I feel it’s such a shame that children no longer have that common bond and the exposure to educational issues that we once had.  However, it’s sad but true that we have lost that age of innocence, being bombarded by choice and watching whatever we want, whenever we want.

It therefore seems, unfortunately, that choice of TV has overruled quality, so it appears unlikely that our kids will ever have the benefit of such considered programming again.

Luckily, we still have educational toys which involve a degree of concentration on the part of the child!  If you’d like to offer your child some choice in their playtime, yet maintain an educational theme, just take a look at www.kiddyriffic.com.