CBBC is a British free-to-air public broadcast children's television channel owned and operated by the BBC.

[2] The channel broadcasts from 7:00 am – 7:00 pm, 7 days a week, timesharing with BBC Choice from its launch until 8 February 2003.

[7] The British Forces Broadcasting Service have provided viewers with CBBC and CBeebies since 1 April 2013, when they replaced BFBS Kids.

From 5 January 2022, the channel now closes down for the day at 7:00 pm and timeshares with BBC Three once again, as was the case prior to the 2016 relaunch.

[12] In comments picked up by The i Paper, Patricia Hildago said “it’s really important… that if children still need us on a linear network, we’re going to be there for them.” The closure was also cancelled due to concerns that it would deprive long-time viewers of access and essentially cut off the channel for those in areas with poor internet connectivity.

The remit of CBBC is to provide a wide range of high quality, distinctive content for 6–12 year olds, including drama, entertainment, comedy, animation, news, and factual.

The service should have a particular focus on informal learning, with an emphasis on encouraging participation.CBBC's programming output is very similar to the strand previously shown on BBC One.

This included a mixture of programmes which were new or they aired on CBBC many years before, with a focus on learning as well as newly recorded content.

This short live decision lasted until the relaunch in 2007, which involved a new 'office' set being constructed, initially in TC12 and later in a new studio facility in the East Tower of Television Centre.

There is currently no dedicated CBBC studio or set as of January 2025, with the channel returning to the use of Chroma key for the first time since 2007.

The service differs across digital platforms, for example Sky viewers can access a video loop.

After Sheppard had finished work on the BAFTA nominated Nelly Nut Live, he was asked by CBBC controller Gary August to work on CBBC Extra, and under Sheppard, the show received a new brand look, idents, graphics, and it introduced feature items such as Ask Aaron and a Halloween special with Basil Brush.

There was a Doctor Who special with sequences featuring K9 that had to be cut at the last minute, and a documentary series called Really Living It!

Its availability on Freeview was dependent upon BBC Red Button not showing other interactive services, such as major sports events coverage.

[18] The service offers numerous features including Newsround, horoscopes, Chris/Dodge's blog, viewer content, jokes, and other interactive elements.

[19] The CBBC website provides a wide range of activities for viewers aged 6–15, such as games, videos, puzzles, printable pages, pre-moderated message boards, and frequently updated news feeds.

On 11 January 2022, an American version of BBC Kids launched as a FAST channel on Pluto TV.

A version of the channel that airs Spanish-dubbed programming titled "Niños por BBC" was launched on the same day.