Inside Southampton’s academy: why CBBC built 'The Football Academy'

CBBC’s *The Football Academy* wasn’t built to chase noise — it was built for a clear audience and a clear edge. The goal was simple: make football content that lands with younger viewers, and Southampton’s academy gave them the right mix of access, energy and variety.

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Kez Margrie, commissioning editor for CBBC factual, said the show was shaped around what would actually bring children in: football, familiar faces, TikTok creators and a fast-cut style with plenty of music and fun. Alan Carr’s voiceover adds the lighter touch, keeping it accessible rather than heavy.

Southampton also made sense because of the club’s breadth of young people, including its para-team. CBBC wanted to show inclusivity as something real and active, not tokenistic — a reminder that sport can open doors for more kids, and that those stories deserve the same spotlight.

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