Scooby-Doo voted the nation's all time favourite kids TV show

The survey of 2,300 kids aged 5 to 9, along with their parents, commissioned to mark the launch of the new Sky Kids app, finds that another timeless show comes in second place, with 22% of parents and children picking Boomerang’s slapstick comedy Tom and Jerry. Joint third are favourites, Nicktoons’ ever-optimistic hero SpongeBob SquarePants and the beloved, British pre-school eOne series Peppa Pig (17%). Fifth place goes to the magical show Ben & Holly (14%), also from eOne.

The research shows whatever the family favourite, kids don’t seem to tire of re-watching their much-loved shows time and time again at a remarkable 53 times a year, compared with parents who admitted to still watching their beloved childhood TV show 12 times in the past 12 months. 

Even when children know how an episode unfolds these shows have the qualities that make them so re-watchable, with kids realising the importance of comedy at a young age and picking a TV programme because 'it’s funny' (59%). The imaginative stories and playful characters are also reasons why they choose to watch a show over and over again, with 47% of children stating ‘I like the adventures they go on’ and 38% revealing they ‘love the characters’. Meanwhile, adults say that they cherish watching children's TV as it’s nostalgic and brings back happy memories of their own childhood (29%), as well as being a great way to bond with their little ones (21%). 

Dr Sam Wass, parenting expert and psychologist and known for Channel 4’s award-winning series ’The Secret Life of 4-, 5-, and 6-Year-Olds’, commented: “As parents we spend so much time as the authority figure, imposing boundaries and setting rules, so sitting down to watch TV with your child can help to reset and recharge your relationship. I love that so many children voted for shows and cartoons that their parents also used to enjoy when they were young and that they are all available on the Sky Kids app. Watching and discussing these shows together will allow your child to see the child that was once in you.”    

The Sky Kids app is designed for children aged 3-9 and features thousands of episodes of their beloved TV shows, including favourites Scooby-Doo, Peppa Pig and SpongeBob SquarePants. The app, which launched in March and is available to download from both Google Play and Apple’s App Store offers a fun and safe way to enjoy the widest range of the most popular kids’ TV programmes. All of the content is available on demand and gives children their own profile with shows tailored to their age. 

Lucy Murphy, Head of Sky Kids Content, said: "It’s great to see Scooby-Doo standing the test of time and remaining a favourite amongst kids and parents. The Sky Kids app has thousands of episodes of kids TV shows, from traditional favourites like Tom and Jerry through to favourites today such as Ben and Holly, so children and parents alike can enjoy their most-loved shows.” 

Sky Kids research – in more detail:

Top 6 reasons kids re-watch their favourite shows: 

• They find the plot or characters funny (59%)
• Likeable characters (38%)
• Because it makes them happy (32%)
• Enjoyable character adventures (23%)
• Loveable music, theme tunes and songs (20%)
• Pretending they are a character in the show (13%)  

Top 10 shows of all time voted for by children and adults:

1. Scooby-Doo = 23%

2. Tom and Jerry = 22%

3. SpongeBob SquarePants = 17%

3. Peppa Pig = 17%

5. Ben & Holly's Little Kingdom = 14%

6. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles = 13%

7. Paw Patrol = 12%

8. Dora the Explorer = 12%

9. Horrible Histories = 11%

10. Ben Ten = 10%

Top 10 children's shows of all time voted for by children:

1. Scooby-Doo = 25%

2. Tom and Jerry = 22 %

3. SpongeBob SquarePants = 22%

4. Peppa Pig = 20%

5. Ben & Holly's Little Kingdom = 18%

6. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles = 16%

7. Paw Patrol = 16%

8. Dora the Explorer = 14%

9. Adventure Time = 13%

10. Ben Ten = 12%

Top 10 children's shows of all time voted for by adults:

1. Tom and Jerry = 21%

2. Scooby-Doo = 20%

3. Blue Peter = 13%

4. Peppa Pig = 13%

5. SpongeBob SquarePants = 11%

6. Ben & Holly's Little Kingdom = 10%

7. Horrible Histories = 10%

8. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles = 10%

9. Mr Men = 9%

10. Mr Benn = 9%

Notes to Editors:

About the research

The research was commissioned by Sky Kids and conducted by research company 72 Point in March 2016. It surveyed 2,300 parents and children aged 5-9 years in the UK and Republic of Ireland (1,150 parents and 1,150 children). 

About Dr Sam Wass 

Dr Sam Wass gained a first-class undergraduate degree in Experimental Psychology at Oxford University. He did his PhD at the Centre for Brain and Cognitive Development, Birkbeck, and his postdoctoral research at the Medical Research Council Cognition and Brain Sciences in Cambridge.

He is currently based at the University of East London and at Cambridge University. He researches how stress affects early concentration and learning capacities in children from low socio-economic status backgrounds. Sam also works with children from a variety of atypical backgrounds including those with Autism Spectrum disorders, Attention Deficit Disorder and other clinical conditions. His research has been funded by the Medical Research Council, the British Academy, the Economic and Social Research Council, the National Institute for Health Research, the Nuffield Foundation, and many others. 

Sam is also very active as a science communicator in the media. He is one of the host scientists in the award-winning Channel 4 series The Secret Life of 4-, 5- and 6-Year-Olds, for which he is heavily involved in programme development and appears regularly as an on-screen scientist. He appears on television (BBC News) and radio (BBC Radio 4, 5 Live), and has given talks at the Royal Institution. His work also often appears in national newspapers such as the Independent, Telegraph and on BBC News. Sam has acted as media spokesperson for public campaigns by Save the Children, Nickelodeon, Ikea, Dulux and many more. 

About Sky Kids 

Sky Kids is available to download now from both Google Play and Apple’s App Store. The app works on 3G/4G and Wi-Fi and is available for customers at no extra cost, with the Sky Family or Variety bundle or Sky Q.

Sky announced the development of the app with Ustwo in June 2015 as it aimed to build on its position as the best entertainment choice for children and their parents. Sky’s commitment saw the expansion of the kids’ shows available in Sky’s on demand library from 700 to 4,000 episodes making Sky home to more episodes of the most-watched kids’ shows than any other provider in the UK and Ireland.  

Following the on demand investment, a dedicated kids tile was added to the Sky homepage which opens up a one-stop-shop of all the kids’ shows and movies available on demand, all kids TV recordings, plus a quick view of what’s on now on linear channels like Cartoon Network, CBeebies and Nick Jr.  Since the kids tile was added, on demand views have more than trebled. 

Sky’s Kids service has been overseen by Sky’s first dedicated Head of Kids Content, Lucy Murphy, who joined Sky in November 2015.

About Sky Kids Café

For half term family fun, Sky presents the first ever kids TV themed play & cafe experience. Open from Monday 30th May through to Wednesday 1st June, the Sky Kids Café will offer children the exciting chance to step into the captivating worlds of some of their favourite TV shows, including Scooby-Doo, SpongeBob SquarePants and Ben & Holly, all of which are available through the new Sky Kids app. 

Full details below:

WHERE: The Vinyl Factory, 18 Marshall St, London W1F 7BE

WHEN: Monday 30th May - Wednesday 1st June

AGES: Recommended for pre-schoolers - 9 years old 

OPENING HOURS: Book a slot between 10AM – 5PM

COST: Free, book your time slot via www.skykidscafe.eventbrite.co.uk 

HOW TO GET THERE: Walking distance from Piccadilly (5 mins), Oxford Circus (6 mins) and Tottenham Court Road (7 mins) tube stations. Parking available at Q-Park Soho

About Sky

Sky is Europe's leading entertainment company, serving 21 million customers across five countries: UK, Ireland, Germany, Austria and Italy. We offer the best and broadest range of content, deliver market-leading customer service and use innovative new technology to give customers a better TV experience, whenever and wherever they choose.

Sky has annual revenues of over £11 billion and is Europe's leading investor in television content with a combined programming budget of £4.9 billion. The group employs 30,000 people and is listed on the London Stock Exchange (SKY).

Sky 

Sarah El-Hadidy

Sarah.el-hadidy@sky.uk

0207 032 3518

Fever PR

Jessica Archard

Jessica.archard@feverpr.com

0207 792 7418