Children's TV on Trial

What would the children of today make of our childhoods? Four 21st-century guinea pigs are given the opportunity to sample BBC children's television from the past five decades. They will also try out the clothes, games and food from each era. In return they will offer candid observations on the programmes from our treasured past. Will the kids be kind? With contributions from Brett Adams, Johhny Ball, Floella Benjamin, John Craven, Bernard Cribbins, Terry Nutkins, Sylvia Peters, Peter Purves and Peter Simon.

An insight into the development of children's programming, beginning with its origins in the 1950s, when Andy Pandy and Crackerjack made their television debuts.

Oliver Postgate, Peter Firmin and Gordon Murray discuss the evolution of children's TV in the 1960s.

How children's programming developed during the 1970s, when ITV redefined the meaning of a drama series for young people and the BBC remained at the forefront of British animation.

The transformation of children's television in the 1980s, when programmes aimed to present a realistic view of Britain.

A look at the growing range of shows aimed at children after 1990 as Byker Grove debuted on the small screen and more channels arrived.