Balamory returns!

Following a tender process Lion Television Scotland, an All3Media company, has secured the contract to produce the return of CBeebies iconic hit, Balamory.

The tendering of the series was an open invitation to pitch for fair selection. The tender was launched in September 2024 and from a field of eligible tenderers, Lion Television Scotland’s bid scored highest against the published criteria.

Originally produced between 2002 until 2005, over two decades later the show will receive a revamp and is sure to be a nostalgic hit with parents who grew up watching the show themselves, as well as with their little ones. Exact details of the reboot will be developed and is set to be inspired by the original family favourite.

Kate Morton, Senior Head of Commissioning 0-6 for BBC Children’s and Education says: “Audiences new and old are set to fall in love with new series on CBeebies about the small island community of Balamory in Scotland from 2026. This was a highly competitive bidding process and we would like to commend all the shortlisted producers for the high quality and comprehensive bids they put forward.”

Lisa Hazlehurst, Head of Lion Television Scotland & Executive Producer says: “We at Lion Television Scotland are thrilled to be chosen to reboot the beloved Balamory. It was thanks to the dedication and expertise of the team who crafted a brilliant pitch and who can’t wait to get going with CBeebies on creating new adventures for such a much-loved and iconic show. Having been a key part of the Scottish industry for 26 years we are excited to contribute to its growth and eager to create a series that will captivate the next generation of young children and the grown-ups in their lives.”

Commissioned for two new series on CBeebies (10 x14’ episodes each), families will be able to enjoy the home-grown storytelling about the small island community of Balamory from 2026, which will once again be filmed in Scotland. Further details of the cast and location are set to be announced in 2025.

About Lion Television

Lion is one of the UK’s leading producers of factual television and content. With bases in London, New York and Glasgow, Lion have been making multi- Emmy, BAFTA, RTS award-winning shows for the last 28 years. At Lion, we produce for the world’s biggest broadcasters and content providers including Netflix, BBC, Microsoft, National Geographic, Disney+, Channel 4, PBS, and Sky. 

Lion Television’s long running children’s sketch show Horrible Histories was recently awarded with a Special BAFTA for its ‘extraordinary cultural and social impact’ and the ‘Horrible’ TV brand has been extended to Horrible Science.  Other children’s credits include circular fashion show, Style it Out with Emma Willis (CBBC), multiple series of Officially Amazing (CBBC) and BAFTA children’s award-winning Play Your Pets Right (Sky Kids).  Other recent credits for Lion Television Scotland include the RTS-nominated BBC One flagship series Homes Under the Hammer,  BBC Two’s RTS winning Stolen: Catching the Art Thieves, BBC Two’s living history show The Victorian House of Arts and Crafts, daytime series Virtually Home (BBC One)  and Hoarder SOS (C4),  art heist documentary Stealing Van Gogh. Other notable productions include blue chip history series like 'Secrets of the Castle' (BBC Two); 'Chinese Food Made Easy' (BBC Two);'World of Weird' (C4), and double Scottish BAFTA-winning drama Consenting Adults starring Charles Dance. We’ve produced illuminating arts documentaries for BBC Four and contributed to the long running and acclaimed BBC Science series ‘Horizon’. Lion Television Scotland runs a hugely successful in-house training scheme as well as supporting industry traineeships championing new talent.  Lion Television is part of All3Media.