Kids being fed diet of US cartoons

Youngsters are being fed a diet of cartoons and US imports as less cash is being spent on new, homegrown TV programmes, Ofcom has warned.

Following a major review of children's television, the broadcasting watchdog found that last year, cartoons accounted for 61 per cent of programmes.

In the same period, 83 per cent of children's programming came from outside the UK, compared to just 17 per cent that consisted of homegrown shows.

The Ofcom report, The Future of Children's Television Programming, says only 1 per cent of total hours of children's programming last year was made in the UK and being broadcast for the first time on a UK channel.

Yet despite 25 dedicated children's channels, the programmes with the most viewers were all homegrown.

It also found that youngsters are now watching less television than they used to - 16.7 hours a week in 2002 compared to 15.5 hours a week last year.

Ofcom found that overall investment in first-run, original British programmes dropped by £18 million from £127 million in 1998 to £109 million last year.

The review also pointed to a reduction in the amount broadcasters were spending on public service children's broadcasting, from £152 million in 2002 to £99 million last year.

And "significant dissatisfaction" was found with the output designed for young teenagers with many having to watch programmes designed for adults as their interests are less catered for.

The research found that parents want more drama and factual programming for older children and younger teenagers, but are relatively content with provision for younger children.

© Independent Television News Limited 2007. All rights reserved.