Parents and teachers have opposed the decision to extend the broadcast hours of the BBC’s children’s channel CBBC, because they fear it will disrupt children’s sleep patterns.

CBBC (Children’s BBC) currently broadcast until 7 pm, but will air until 9pm following the closure of BBC3 in February of next year.

The BBC Trust conducted a consultation process on the proposals to extend the hours and found that many respondents were against it, arguing that the later time would mean a disruption of bedtimes and sleep routines.

One teacher who responded to the consultation said: “As a teacher, I already find that many children come to school tired because they have been up too late watching television.”

Another respondent said: “If the channel stays open for longer, this will cause problems not only for the children but also for the parents trying to get them to go to bed.”

“Obviously BBC3 has been a really difficult decision,” Richard Ayre, a trustee and member of the services committee at the trust, told The Guardian. 

“This was quite a difficult decision as well. This is a partnership. There is an off button.”

“The BBC does its best to guarantee that what it offers to young children is safe, appropriate and suitable to see. Part of that bargain is that parents exercise some discretion about when they want their children to watch (CBBC).”