CBeebies have got a very special new animation for this Christmas. 'The Cow That Almost Missed Christmas' is the Nativity story as told through the eyes of an adventurous young cow called Marjorie.
Marjorie has heard that a new King is to be born in Bethlehem and there’ll be a celebration – probably a street party! – and she really wants to be part of it.
We see very familiar scenes from the Nativity, but told from a slightly different perspective – that of the sheep (rather than the shepherds), the stately camels (rather than their owners, the Wise Men) and the donkey that transported Mary to Bethlehem!
Written by Andy Cutbill and designed by Russell Adjo, the programme is produced by Baby Cow and Komedia who have assembled a stellar comedy cast including Issie Sutie, Johnny Vegas, Miriam Margolyes and Simon Greenall.
'The Cow that Almost Missed Christmas' is a respectful, but very funny interpretation of the Nativity and a lovely celebratory viewing opportunity for all the family.
You can catch Marjorie and friends on CBeebies on Wednesday 19th December at 4.30pm, and again on 24th December at 3.30pm, and 25th December at 8.30am.
'The Cow That Almost Missed Christmas' will also be shown on BBC One on 21st December at 3.30pm, and on BBC Two on 25th December at 6.30am.
CBeebies is thrilled to announce that Beatrix Potter's timeless character Peter Rabbit is bounding on to the screen this Christmas! Set in the Lake District, this exciting new series features brand new stories based on the classic Potter tales, and will launch with a Christmas special to whet your appetites before the main series launches in 2013.
Mischievous, charming and brave, Peter is a hero who overcomes obstacles, outwits predators and avoids trouble as he embarks on a series of exciting adventures in his attempt to grow up to be just like his father. They are big paws to fill, but with his father's journal and the help of his best friends Benjamin Bunny and Lily Bobtail, Peter is ready for some fun and delightful new discoveries.
As readers of the original Beatrix Potter series will know, the books aren’t without peril and danger – remember that Peter’s father got put in a pie by Mr McGregor! The challenge with this adaptation was how to portray the predation element whilst still being suitable for a preschool audience. The brand-new series is an action-adventure show at its heart, with plenty of thrills and spills, but never shies away from the fact that “foxes chase rabbits – that’s just how the world works”. In keeping with the Potter books, Peter’s father is absent in the series but his death is never mentioned.
Peter Rabbit is full of rich animation, exciting storylies and beautiful characters, and we hope our audience loves it just as much as we do. Peter Rabbit’s Christmas Tale transmits on CBeebies on Thursday 20 December at 4.30pm, and Christmas Day on BBC 1 at 9.25am.
Go to the Peter Rabbit webpage
We just wanted to let you all know that from the start of next year your favourite CBeebies programmes will be available exclusively on the CBeebies channel.
From January 5th, children's programmes will no longer be broadcast daily on BBC One or Two but, don't worry, all your favourite shows will continue to be shown on the Cbeebies channel or on iplayer.
We're guessing that the CBeebies channel is probably already your first port of call to watch our programmes. Now that all children in the UK have access to digital TV it seems the right time to end the blocks of programmes on One and Two.
We've already started to show the CBeebies Channel on BBC Two mornings to help prepare people for the changes and show viewers who aren’t aware of the channel what we have to offer. We also know some children use this time to watch alternative programmes to what’s on the CBeebies channel at that time so we're co-ordinating the schedules to ensure that kids are used to the new line-up before we make the change.
There are lots of exciting shows planned for the New Year on CBeebies including the enchanting new story-telling series Old Jack's Boat; new Nina & the Neurons (this time looking at engineering); and new Justin's House and Alphablocks. So there's lots to look forward to on the CBeebies channel next year!
You can find CBeebies on these channels
Freeview 71
Sky 614
Freesat 601
Virgin 702
BT Vision 71
And, of course on iPlayer.
