BBC faces censure on cartoons

The BBC today faces government censure after packing its new £45 million children's digital channels with imported cartoons.

As CBBC, for the sixto-13 age group, and CBeebies, for preschool children, go on the air, TV chiefs have been accused of breaking an agreement to restrict imports to 25 per cent. Research today shows that the proportion on CBBC is 40 per cent.

British programmemakers are expected to press for action from the Department of Culture, Media and Sport.

Ministers gave the goahead for the channels after the BBC promised at least 75 per cent of output would be homegrown.

A BBC spokesman said today: "We are launching the channels in halfterm, so there are more cartoons than normal. In weeks to come we will be offering more homegrown drama and entertainment."