A groundbreaking church-based children’s streaming television channel has been taken off air by its trustees following criticism by a government regulator.
The innovative TV service was launched last year by independent Anglican-based charity Bargepole Trust whose stated mission is to support the Church of England’s priority to grow younger.
This morning a report by the national Office for Local Opportunity & Accountable Democracy has questioned whether Bargepole’s ownership of CofEBeebies is ethically compatible with its other outlet, the opinion-orientated CofE News, whose policy of hiring controversial Members of General Synod as ‘shock-jock’ presenters of current affairs and commentary programmes has attracted both plaudits and criticism, in addition to well-publicised and substantial financial losses.
The OFLOAD report acknowledges the success of unique CofEBeebies programming including Prayschool, Chalice in Wonderland, Petertide Rabbit, Bill & Ben the Flower Rota Men, Churchwarden Chuck and Liturgytubbies, and pays tribute to popular presenters including sisters Gloria and Peccata Mundi, but lists the obscurity of funding arrangements for the two channels as a second source of concern.
“CofEBeebies will be back,” vowed Chair of Bargepole Trust, Archdeacon Emeritus of Gridlington and reputed multi-millionaire proprietor of last year’s runaway success startup online church requisites marketplace CofEBay, the Ven Armitage Shanks CBE.
“Frankly the source of our funding is nobody’s business but – well, mine.”
“We’re planning for the future – we’re looking forward to launching this season’s new animation, Mitre Mouse, and our new drama serial Five Take Umbrage in the Consistory Court.”
