BBC Children’s and Education will launch a 15-part courtroom comedy called Judge Hacker and the eighth series of wildlife hit Deadly 60 as part of a new schedule across CBBC, CBeebies, and BBC iPlayer.
The BBC Children’s department unveiled its fresh lineup, spanning comedy, wildlife, sport, animation, and factual storytelling across multiple platforms. The commissions bring back several established hits while introducing new formats for children and families.
Judge Hacker Leads CBBC Lineup for Early 2027
For viewers aged seven and older, the slate’s standout addition is Judge Hacker, a 15-part comedy entertainment show starring the puppet character Hacker T Dog. Swapping his former television roles for the bench, the canine character will preside over a televised courtroom addressing everyday grievances.
“Order! Order! Judge Hacker is a brand-new comedy entertainment format in which children and grown-ups finally get justice for the everyday ‘crimes’ that normally go unpunished. Not content with his role on Blue Peter, the cheeky canine gets his own show, crammed with gags, games and celebrity guests.”
The BBC, via British Comedy Guide
Performed by Phil Fletcher, Judge Hacker delivers verdicts alongside lawyers played by Lorna Rose Treen and Toussaint Douglass. The series is scheduled to launch on CBBC in early 2027.
Steve Backshall Tackles Global Ecosystems in Deadly 60 Series Eight
Wildlife programming anchors another major return as naturalist Steve Backshall takes on his most ambitious expeditions yet for the eighth series of Deadly 60. Filming locations span Japan, India, Thailand, and Australia.
Gladiators Spin-off and Horrible Histories Return to CBBC
Unscripted entertainment and sketch comedy also receive major renewals. Gladiators: Epic Pranks returns for a third series produced by Hungry Bear TV Media, featuring a structural twist where children choose targets and team up with Nitro and the Gladiators to surprise family members, friends, and teachers.
Meanwhile, the sketch comedy series Horrible Histories comes back for its 12th season from Lion TV. The upcoming run includes themed episodes on the original gladiators, historical traitors, the Saxons, the French Revolution, and Bonnie Prince Charlie. It also features a special episode honoring the 200th anniversary of Beethoven’s death, produced in partnership with the BBC Concert Orchestra.
CBeebies Expands Preschool Programming and Inclusive Specials
For younger audiences on CBeebies, the network commissioned a second series of the bedtime-focused animation BeddyByes from JAM Media, alongside a second season of the musical series Maddie & Triggs from Turnip + Duck. The latter features 52 seven-minute episodes designed for both sighted and vision-impaired children to enjoy side by side.
Additionally, the festive series Tiny Tunes will air Christmas episodes featuring deaf children in the regular cast alongside presenter Lisa Kelly, incorporating British Sign Language instruction into seasonal songs.
Documentaries and Animations Target Future Generations
The factual and animated slate introduces several new properties. Directed by Damon Gameau and produced by Together Films, the documentary film Climate Change and Me: Future Council follows eight children meeting with major corporate boardrooms to discuss environmental solutions, airing on CBBC and BBC iPlayer on November 9.
Animation additions include Hyperlight – Battle of the Guardians, a tween superhero series set in a digital world produced by A Productions, which has already been pre-bought by Germany’s Super RTL. CBeebies will also add Animal Allsorts, a Glasgow-produced Maramedia series utilizing Owen Davey’s book artwork, slated to launch in 2028.