CBBC Productions, the in-house team based in Salford, has kicked off 2016 with a strong array of new and returning series commissions, testament to the ongoing creative strength of the specialist in-house team.

New programs include Rank The Prank (13×22), where two prank-loving kids are each teamed up with a Hollywood special effects master, to perform an incredible hidden-camera prank on the unknowing public.

In a bid to out-prank each other, the child who pulls off the highest ranking prank will get the opportunity to stage the ultimate, mind-blowing hoax on their family or friends. Co-produced with Canadian production company Apartment 11, Rank The Prank is commissioned for CBBC by Controller Cheryl Taylor and will also be broadcast by BBC Kids Canada. Rank The Prank was developed by CBBC Productions’ in-house development team, led by Ben Armstrong, and the executive producer for CBBC is Sid Cole, while Jonathan Finkelstein leads for Apartment 11.

Speaking about the commissions, Cheryl Taylor, Controller of CBBC, said: “Our viewers love the idea of sophisticated and funny pranks, so we’re really delighted to be adding Rank The Prank to our slate of quality CBBC shows.”

Read more at: http://www.bbc.co.uk/mediacentre/latestnews/2016/cbbc-productions