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Blue Peter Ends Live Broadcasts After 66 Years

The BBC children’s show transitions to fully pre-recorded episodes to address declining viewership and changing media habits.

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Peter Purves, Lesley Judd and John Noakes with a few of the famous Blue Peter cats and dogs
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Overview

  • Blue Peter, the world’s longest-running children’s TV show, aired its final live episode on March 21, 2025, after 66 years of live broadcasts.
  • The BBC confirmed the series will now be entirely pre-recorded while continuing to air on CBBC, BBC Two, BBC iPlayer, and Sign Zone.
  • This decision follows a significant drop in viewership, with current weekly audiences at just 37,700 compared to millions during its peak.
  • The shift reflects the BBC's strategy to adapt to evolving viewing habits and reframe Blue Peter as a 'dynamic, digital-first brand.'
  • Former presenters and the show’s outgoing director expressed sadness, calling the end of live broadcasts the 'end of an era' for children’s television.