Johnny Ball Doubts BBC's 'Play School' Reboot Will Succeed, Cites Ageism
The veteran presenter has been asked to advise on the revival of the iconic children's show but fears the broadcaster will 'mess it up.'
Veteran presenter Johnny Ball, 88, has expressed skepticism about the BBC's planned reboot of the children's program "Play School," suggesting the broadcaster may "mess it up." Ball, who found fame on the show that originally ran from 1964 to 1988, revealed he has been approached to serve as an adviser for the new iteration.
The BBC announced last month that "Play School" is set to return after a 38-year hiatus, with shorter episodes designed to align with the viewing habits of contemporary children. The broadcaster has invited production companies to pitch ideas, aiming to commission 50 live-action episodes, each approximately 14 minutes long. The revival is expected to air during the 2027-28 financial year.
Ball, who co-hosted the program alongside figures like Brian Cant and Floella Benjamin, conveyed his reservations about the reboot's potential success. He reminisced about the show's original producer, Cynthia Felgate, describing her as instrumental in maintaining the program's integrity and quality.
"I think they are going to mess it up," Ball stated, contrasting the original show's strong direction with the current approach. He also criticized the BBC for what he perceives as a move away from children's programming in afternoon slots, lamenting the dominance of other genres and the potential loss of connection with younger audiences.
Ball pointed to the reported zero viewership for "Blue Peter" last year as a concerning indicator of declining engagement with BBC children's programming. He noted that a "major firm" pitching for the "Play School" reboot has sought his input as an adviser.
Furthermore, Ball alleged that the BBC exhibits ageism, favoring younger talent over experienced presenters. He shared his personal experience, stating that his career at the BBC effectively ended around age 50, despite his long tenure and contributions.
The BBC's commissioning document for the reboot emphasizes the importance of the show's cherished toys, such as Humpty, Jemima, Big Ted, and Little Ted, and seeks to present them in a contemporary context for today's children. The broadcaster is open to various approaches, including potentially bringing back original cast members or introducing new characters, and utilizing different media like animation.
The revival aims to retain the original series' blend of songs, stories, music, movement, poetry, games, and imaginative play, while also seeking "new and modern takes" on the format. Producers have been asked to identify potential presenters who can follow in the footsteps of past hosts like Floella Benjamin, now a Baroness, and the late Brian Cant.
"Play School" originally aired on BBC Two and was designed to replicate a nursery environment, with presenters directly engaging young viewers. Memorable features included the round, square, and arched windows used to show films.
This revival is part of a broader BBC strategy to bolster its offerings for young children amidst evolving media consumption patterns. The BBC is also launching a YouTube channel, CBeebies Parenting, to provide resources for parents and caregivers, with the "Play School" commission contributing additional content.
The initiative comes as the BBC and other UK broadcasters face increasing competition from online platforms. Figures indicate a significant decline in investment and volume of original children's programming across major UK broadcasters in recent years.
The BBC has allocated a budget of up to £2.5 million for the new "Play School" series and its associated YouTube content. Pre-production is scheduled to commence in February 2027.