Banijay Kids & Family marks 20 years of Charlie and Lola
If you grew up with Charlie helping his little sister figure out the big feelings of small kids, you're probably smiling right now. Twenty years on, Charlie and Lola still has that gentle, funny way of making everyday challenges feel totally manageable.
This week, Banijay Kids & Family said it's celebrating the series' 20th anniversary - a milestone that lands right where kids TV lives: trust, warmth, and staying power. And honestly, not many preschool shows hold up this well after two decades.
What's the news
Charlie and Lola premiered in 2005, produced by Tiger Aspect (part of Banijay UK), and based on the beloved books by author-illustrator Lauren Child (movies and tv series). The show's look - collage textures, soft colors, playful type - still feels fresh. Its pacing is calm without being dull. That's rare, and parents notice.
Banijay Kids & Family spotlighting the anniversary signals the brand's ongoing value across broadcast, streaming, and licensing. No loud reboots. Just a steady, trusted IP that keeps finding new little viewers - and their parents, now the nostalgic ones.
Why it matters for kids TV folks
Here's what this could mean:
- Evergreen programming: Expect more catalog visibility - marathons, refreshed artwork, curated collections. It's a safe, low-friction add to morning blocks and on-demand hubs.
- Licensing refresh: Anniversaries are a clean hook for apparel, books, and soft lines. Retail likes familiar faces heading into the holidays.
- Social and short-form: Snackable clips of Lola's "I will not…" moments travel well. Quick wins for engagement on YouTube and socials.
- Education tie-ins: Themes around sharing, patience, and imagination make it easy for partners to build simple activity packs or classroom notes.
Quick refresher: why kids (and parents) stick with it
- Warm sibling dynamic: Charlie guides, Lola pushes back, and together they figure it out. Kind, never preachy.
- Distinct visual voice: That Lauren Child collage style - you can spot it in a second.
- Real-world stakes: Sleepovers, new foods, friendships. Small problems that feel big when you're five.
- Gentle humor: Enough wink for parents without stepping out of a child's eye level.
For schedulers, buyers, and marketers
- Schedulers: Consider themed blocks (food, friends, bedtime). Themed packaging helps guide co-viewing.
- Buyers: Check rights windows on classic seasons; anniversaries tend to bring fresh art assets you can use for rails and promos.
- Marketers: Lean into parent nostalgia with side-by-side "then/now" creative. It's emotional and converts.
If you need a source to point families to
The BBC's brand page gives a solid overview for new viewers, and it's a trusted handoff for parents who like to vet shows first. You can find it here: CBeebies: Charlie and Lola.
Curious about the books that started it all? Lauren Child's work is here: Lauren Child official site.
The takeaway
Twenty years in, Charlie and Lola isn't chasing trends. It doesn't need to. The show keeps doing what it's always done: give kids a safe space to feel big feelings, and give parents a breather. For the business (movies and tv series) side, that's gold - steady performance, low risk, and renewed reasons to put the brand front and center again.
