Kay Benbow

Kay Benbow (born 1961) is a British broadcasting executive, and was the Controller of the BBC channel CBeebies from 2010 - 2017.[1]

Early life

Kay Benbow was born in Sheffield. She studied Theology at St Hugh's College, Oxford, gaining her degree in 1980. She joined the BBC in 1984.

BBC Children's

Kay Benbow began working for BBC Children's in 1988. She moved to CBeebies in 2002. CBeebies launched in February 2002. During this time she also spent two years outside the BBC at Tell-Tale Productions until 2000.[2] She became the second Controller of CBeebies in May 2010.[3] In October 2014 Benbow became Acting Director of BBC Children's following the resignation of Joe Godwin, until the appointment of Alice Webb in February 2015.[4]

Under her control, CBeebies has won the BAFTA Children's Award for Channel of the Year in 2010, 2011, 2013 and 2016.[5] In January 2017, she was awarded an honorary degree from Sheffield University in recognition of her achievements in the industry and her commitment to research-informed understanding of young children’s engagement with television.[6] In July 2017, it was announced that the post of Controller of CBeebies would close and Benbow left the BBC at the end of that year.[7]

Benbow said that she would, "leave with pride, knowing that CBeebies is in great shape, is loved by the audience and will go from strength to strength. I have always said that the very young deserve the very best and I have strived to give them just that. It is my hope that CBeebies inspires them and makes a positive impact on their lives, helping to create happy, confident children".[8]

Personal life

Kay Benbow is married with two sons (born May 1994 and June 1998). She married Ian Stubbs in June 1991. Both of her sons attended John Hampden Grammar School in High Wycombe. She lives in South Bucks.

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References
  1. BBC biography
  2. 2010 interview
  3. CBeebies
  4. BBC Media Centre
  5. "Channel of the Year - CBeebies". www.bafta.org. Retrieved 2016-12-02.
  6. https://www.sheffield.ac.uk/news/nr/cbeebies-honorary-graduations-sheffield-1.672305
  7. "Benbow exiting in BBC Children's shake-up » Digital TV Europe". www.digitaltveurope.net. Retrieved 2017-07-25.
  8. "Benbow exiting in BBC Children's shake-up - TBI Vision". TBI Vision. 2017-07-25. Retrieved 2017-07-25.
Media offices
Preceded by
Michael Carrington		 Controller: CBeebies
May 2010 -		 Succeeded by
Incumbent
Preceded by
Joe Godwin		 Director: BBC Children's Television
October 2014 - February 2015 (Acting)		 Succeeded by
Alice Webb
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