BBC mulls CBeebies radio station

Controller of BBC children's programmes Richard Deverell is lobbying for a CBeebies radio station. [ALL]

Controller of BBC children's programmes Richard Deverell is lobbying for a CBeebies radio station.

CBeebies currently has a slot on BBC Radio 7 between 2pm and 5pm playing stories, songs, rhymes and quizzes. However, Deverell is now keen to launch a full CBeebies radio service from 6am to 9pm.

To do so, Deverell will have to persuade the BBC Executive and then the BBC Trust that the station is the best use of capacity post-digital switchover in 2012. Over the next six to 12 months the Trust is understood to be looking at the best use of the BBC's spectrum.

A BBC spokesperson said: 'CBeebies radio is a long term aspiration. We know that children enjoy CBeebies in lots of different ways, whether it's through radio, TV or the internet. It therefore makes sense to make the channel available in as many ways as possible.'

Deverell has also said in the past that he is eager to extend the hours of the CBBC channel to 9pm. It currently airs from 7am to 7pm.

The thinking behind this is that CBBC is aimed at six to 12-year-olds and a lot of kids at the older end of this age range are awake after 7pm. There are no children's programmes currently available on terrestrial TV after 7pm.

In July, BBC Vision director Jana Bennett said the extension to 9pm was a 'top priority' as 'we recognise children do not go to bed at 7pm'.