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Hacker T Dog, Horrible Histories and Deadly 60 are getting new series on the BBC

Hacker T Dog, Horrible Histories and Deadly 60 are getting new series on the BBC

From a courtroom for Hacker T Dog to new adventures with Steve Backshall, here’s what’s coming to CBBC and CBeebies soon.

Happy children sitting on the couch eating popcorn while watching TV together at home

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MadeForMums

Published: October 5, 2026 at 1:19 PM

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Get ready for some seriously entertaining viewing - the BBC has announced a bumper new slate of children’s programmes coming to CBBC, CBeebies and BBC iPlayer.

There are plenty of familiar favourites returning, alongside some brand-new shows, with the line-up spanning comedy, wildlife, sport, animation and factual programmes.

For older children, Hacker T Dog is getting his very own courtroom in Judge Hacker, while Steve Backshall is heading off on more wildlife adventures for the eighth series of Deadly 60. Meanwhile, Gladiators: Epic Pranks is returning with a twist that puts children firmly in charge.

Over on CBeebies, Football Fantastics is coming back for a third series, while BeddyByes and Maddie & Triggs are also returning with new adventures.

Patricia Hidalgo, Director of BBC Children’s and Education, said the new line-up represents “the breadth and creativity we want children and families to find at the BBC”.

Kate Morton, Senior Head of Commissioning for CBeebies, said: “Our focus at CBeebies is on creating content that supports children through those important early years, bringing together entertainment, learning and emotional development in ways that feel joyful and engaging.”

Hacker T Dog is becoming Judge Hacker

DLT Entertainment UK Ltd/BBC

Order in the court! Hacker T Dog is swapping Blue Peter for the judge’s bench in brand-new comedy entertainment show Judge Hacker.

The 15-part series will see the cheeky canine preside over cases involving the everyday ‘crimes’ that normally go unpunished, with children and grown-ups getting the chance to seek justice.

Performed by Phil Fletcher, Hacker will deliver his verdicts alongside lawyers Lorna Rose Treen and Toussaint Douglass, with plenty of games, gags and celebrity guests along the way.

Judge Hacker is due to launch on CBBC in early 2027.

Steve Backshall returns for more Deadly 60 adventures

Wildlife fans can look forward to another series of Deadly 60, with Steve Backshall heading to Japan, India, Thailand and Australia.

The eighth series will see him track swamp tigers in the Sundarbans, search for giant salamanders in Japan, encounter monitor lizards in Bangkok and dive with great white sharks in Australia.

It promises plenty of action and some new firsts for the long-running wildlife series.

Kids get to call the shots on Gladiators: Epic Pranks

Gladiators- Epic Pranks

Hungry Bear TV Media/BBC

Gladiators: Epic Pranks is back for a third series, but this time children are in charge.

They’ll choose who they think deserves to be pranked before teaming up with Nitro and the Gladiators to catch unsuspecting family members, friends and teachers off guard.

The new series will also feature Halloween and Christmas specials, behind-the-scenes action at Sheffield Arena and three special watch-along episodes.

New animated adventures are coming to CBBC

Hyperlight – Battle of the Guardians

A Productions:Scrawl Animation/BBC

Brand-new series Hyperlight - Battle of the Guardians will take children into the Network, a parallel digital world hidden within the hyper-connected city of New Avalon.

Teenager Chrissie discovers she has extraordinary new powers and, alongside Bella, becomes caught up in a battle involving hackers, viruses and a sinister entity threatening the city.

There’s also Climate Change and Me: Future Council, following eight children as they explore the planet’s challenges and possible solutions before taking their ideas to some of the world’s biggest companies.

The film, directed by Damon Gameau, will air on CBBC and BBC iPlayer on 9 November.

Climate Change and Me- Future Council

Together Films/BBC

More Horrible Histories is on the way

Horrible Histories is returning for Season 12, with specially themed episodes covering everything from the original Gladiators to history’s greatest Traitors.

There will also be a special episode celebrating Beethoven, created in partnership with the BBC Concert Orchestra to mark 200 years since his death.

Other episodes will explore the Saxons, the French Revolution and Bonnie Prince Charlie, with the usual mix of grisly stories, comedy and celebrity cameos.

CBeebies favourites are returning too

The younger members of the family have plenty to look forward to, with several much-loved CBeebies shows returning.

BeddyByes has been commissioned for a second series, coming in spring 2027.

BeddyByes

JAM Media/BBC

MeMo and BaBa will embark on more gentle adventures designed to support young children’s bedtime routines, while encouraging mindfulness, creativity and good nutrition.

Football Fantastics is also returning for a third series in summer 2027. The new episodes will feature more football, songs and adventures, with appearances from Ella Toone, Declan Rice, Chloe Kelly and Alessia Russo. Jill Scott will also return with Jill’s Skills, teaching a new football skill in every episode.

Maddie & Triggs returns with more magical adventures

Maddie & Triggs

Turnip + Duck/RTÉ/BBC

Seven-year-old Maddie and her mischievous dog Triggs are back for a second series, with 52 new seven-minute episodes planned.

The pair will explore new places, songs and adventures around Higgledy-Piggledy, with special guests including the voice of Siobhán McSweeney.

The episodes will be available both as animated adventures and audio-first podcasts, allowing sighted and vision-impaired children to enjoy them side by side. The first 26 episodes are due to air from mid-2027.

There’s even more coming to CBeebies

Brand-new animated series Animal Allsorts is due to launch in 2028, using artwork from renowned artist Owen Davey’s books to explore the world of animals through collecting and sorting.

Animal Allsorts

Owen Davey/Maramedia/BBC

And for families looking ahead to Christmas, Tiny Tunes will return with 10 festive episodes in 2026. Deaf children will feature on screen as part of the regular cast, with presenter Lisa Kelly introducing songs, simple Christmas crafts and three new British Sign Language signs in each episode.

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