'Teletubbies' creator fears for kids TV

Anne Wood, creator of children's shows Teletubbies and Rosie and Jim, says she fears for the future of children's programming.

The founder of production company Ragdoll was speaking at the Broadcasting Press Guild Awards, where she received an outstanding achievement award.

Wood called for a new British public service children's channel to be set up, adding that the creation of such a channel would ensure the future of original British-made children's programmes.

She said: "People need to know the difference between showing children's programmes made elsewhere and making our own indigenous work."

Wood was also critical of ITV's move to reduce its children's output, saying that the lack of commissioning on kids shows would be felt in a few years time when it would be too late.

"We need public awareness and political will in the case of children's TV. But both are in short supply," she added.