Not-Netflix Natters (for Grown Ups)

Authentic storytelling does not mean chaos or carelessness. It means emotional recognisability — characters who make mistakes, feel awkward, misjudge situations, and grow imperfectly. Children repeatedly return to stories that allow exaggeration, humour, and emotional risk. They drift away from stories that are overly smoothed or heavily explained.

Series One of Not-Netflix Natters began with a simple question:Why does so much family and children’s television feel unsatisfying, even when it’s well made? Across eight episodes, I explored family viewing, quiet stories, adventure, book adaptations, and special-occasion television — using examples. This blog sums up the series.

In Not-Netflix Natter – Episode 7, I explore why special-occasion television — from Christmas classics to children’s holiday stories — mattered so much for families, and what we lost when everything became on-demand. What story still marks time in your family memory?

What Screens Can Relearn from Books Some children’s stories stay with families because they trust children with pace, silence, and meaning. In this episode of Not-Netflix Natter, I explore what screens can relearn from books, using much-loved adaptations of Julia Donaldson’s stories as gentle case studies.

Children’s adventure stories have long captured imaginations, transporting young readers to worlds filled with excitement, challenge, and discovery. These stories offer more than just entertainment; they help children explore emotions, develop problem-solving skills, and build resilience. Yet, despite their enduring appeal, the way adults engage with children’s adventure has shifted. This change affects how often and how freely children experience these stories on their own t

I stopped watching Doctor Who not because I stopped caring — but because I started feeling lectured. That may sound blunt, so let me explain.

Quiet children’s stories haven’t vanished because children stopped liking them. They’ve faded because television now rewards speed, familiarity, and repeatability — and quiet stories ask for time.

There is still good children’s television being made. Across the major streaming platforms, thoughtful content exists: educational series, gentle preschool animation, and programmes that encourage curiosity and learning. These shows understand that children are not passive consumers, but attentive, thoughtful viewers. That matters — and it deserves recognition. Alongside this, however, a different pattern has emerged.

During the holidays, I tried to find something new to watch with my grandchildren. Not something noisy. Not something designed to hold attention by sheer volume. Just a story with warmth, imagination, and care. I didn’t find it. What I found instead was a familiar loop: recycled Christmas films, pale imitations of once-loved formats, and old stories resurfaced as if novelty now lies in re-packaging alone.