Newsround Spin-offs and Special Programming
Beyond its daily bulletins, Newsround has expanded its reach through various spin-offs and long-form content designed to tackle complex social issues and entertainment. These formats allow the program to move beyond breaking news and provide children with in-depth explorations of the world around them.
Newsround Specials
Since the late 1970s, Newsround has produced a series of short documentary films, typically lasting 15 minutes. Originally titled Newsround Extra, these are now known simply as "specials." These documentaries usually air two or three times a year, replacing the regular daily bulletin on a specific weekday—historically Mondays, and occasionally Fridays during the 1980s.
These specials often utilize diverse storytelling methods, including animation and dramatization, to make difficult topics accessible to a younger audience. Several of these productions have received critical acclaim, including Royal awards and BAFTA nominations.
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Award-Winning and Notable Specials
- The Wrong Trainers: A six-part animated series on child poverty that won the 2006 Royal award for best children's programme and the 2007 BAFTA for best factual programme.
- The Worst Thing Ever: A dramatized documentary focusing on the experience of parental divorce.
- Newsround on Knives: A BAFTA-nominated animated look at knife crime from a child's perspective.
- Gone: A BAFTA-nominated series featuring interviews with bereaved children.
- Whose Side Are You On?: A drama about bullying and the role of bystanders, featuring personalities such as Joe Calzaghe and Patsy Palmer.
Key Facts
- Format: Specials are typically 15-minute documentaries that replace regular bulletins.
- History: The "specials" format has been a staple of the program since the late 1970s.
- Recognition: Multiple specials have won or been nominated for BAFTA awards.
- Variety: Content ranges from global conflicts (Afghanistan) and environmental crises (Fiji) to personal health (Autism, Anxiety, Cancer).
Comprehensive List of Recent Specials
The following table outlines a selection of recent Newsround Specials, highlighting the diverse range of topics covered and the presenters involved.
| Title | Topic/Description | Presenter/Narrator | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Caught in the Web | Internet dangers (BAFTA nominated) | David Tennant | 9 Feb 2010 |
| Growing Up in a War Zone | Children in Afghanistan | Sonali Shah | 22 Nov 2010 |
| The Real Tracy Beaker | Growing up in care | Dani Harmer | March 2011 |
| My Autism and Me | Living with autism | Rosie King | 11 Nov 2011 |
| Behind Closed Doors | Domestic violence | Barney Harwood | 19 March 2012 |
| My Dyslexic Mind | Understanding dyslexia | Ben Hunter | 7 Jan 2013 |
| Surviving The Typhoon | Typhoon Haiyan in the Philippines | Leah Boleto | 23 Dec 2013 |
| Finding My Family – Holocaust | Holocaust experiences (BAFTA winner) | Anthony Horowitz | 27 Jan 2019 |
| Fiji – On The Climate Change Front Line | Global warming and rising sea levels | Martin Dougan | 14 Sept 2020 |
| Let's Talk About Periods | Menstrual health and attitudes | Lauren Layfield | 8 March 2021 |
Other Spin-offs and Seasonal Content
Newsround Showbiz
Launched in February 2002 as part of the CBBC Channel, this light-hearted entertainment round-up was originally called Newsround Lite. Produced by Sinéad Rocks and hosted by various regular reporters, the show was eventually axed in 2005.
Sportsround
Introduced in September 2005, Sportsround was a Saturday morning sports magazine show. It ran until December 2010, when it was replaced by Match of the Day Kickabout. In its final year, it was presented by Ore Oduba.
Yearly Reviews
Until 2006, Newsround produced a half-hour review of the year for the holiday season. The final standalone review aired in 2009; from 2010 to 2019, the final bulletin of the year served as the review, hosted by the full presenting team. In recent years, the program takes a two-week break during the school Christmas holidays.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are Newsround Specials?
They are short, typically 15-minute documentary films that replace regular news bulletins to provide in-depth coverage of specific social, medical, or global issues.
Which Newsround specials have won BAFTAs?
Notable winners include "The Wrong Trainers" (Best Factual Programme 2007) and "Finding My Family – Holocaust." Other programs like "Caught in the Web" and "Gone" have received nominations.
What was Newsround Showbiz?
Originally known as Newsround Lite, it was an entertainment-focused spin-off that aired on the CBBC Channel from 2002 until 2005.
How does Newsround handle the Christmas period?
While it previously aired a half-hour Review of the Year, the program now typically takes a two-week hiatus during the school Christmas holidays.
Who are some of the recurring presenters in the specials?
Presenters such as Ricky Boleto, Leah Boleto, Barney Harwood, and Ore Oduba have frequently led various investigative specials and documentaries.