BBC, ABC partner to find new kids content
August 26, 2026



BBC Children’s and Education and ABC Children and Family have formed a partnership to create new opportunities for UK and Australian producers to co-develop and co-produce children’s content for audiences globally.

The pair said that the new Shared Horizons initiative “reflects the joint commitment to the vital public service role children’s content plays in society. By providing access to high-quality, original programming and helping young audiences understand the world around them through entertaining and innovative storytelling”.


Building on a long-standing partnership, the BBC and ABC initiative is designed to bring together the creative strengths of both production sectors while supporting independent producers and creators.

Focused on scripted live-action drama and animation, the initiative will support content for preschool audiences, children aged five to eight, and young audiences up to 10 years old designed for linear broadcast and streaming platforms.

Patricia Hidalgo, Director of BBC Children and Education, commented: ” t its best, public service children’s content helps young audiences make sense of the world around them. Through Shared Horizons, the BBC and ABC will combine the creative talent of the UK and Australia to develop distinctive stories with global reach and discover the next generation of children’s characters and ideas.”

Melinda Wearne, ABC Head Children and Family, added: “The ABC and the BBC share a public service DNA that puts children at the heart of what we do. This partnership gives producers in Australia and the UK the confidence to think big, knowing they have two major public broadcasters ready to collaborate from the very beginning of the creative process. The best children’s stories are always grounded in authentic local experiences and universal themes, and we want creators to celebrate what makes their communities and cultures unique.”