Ragdoll Productions

Ragdoll Productions is an independent British children’s television production company founded in 1984 by Anne Wood. Its work focuses on preschool audiences, combining character development and imaginative storytelling with puppetry, animation and live-action performance. Based in Oxfordshire, the company creates original television and digital content for young children.

Its production capabilities encompass puppet fabrication, stop-motion and 2D animation, animatronics and costume performance. Alongside production, Ragdoll develops characters and programme formats, writes scripts and provides educational media consulting. Its work spans children’s entertainment, broadcast television, digital video and early childhood education, with productions shown by broadcasters including the BBC, ITV and Channel 4.

A history of preschool programming

Ragdoll’s early productions included Pob’s Programme, which began on Channel 4 in 1985, followed by Playbox, Rosie and Jim, Brum and Tots TV. These programmes established a catalogue combining distinctive characters with different approaches to performance and visual storytelling.

In 1997, the company introduced Teletubbies, co-created by Anne Wood and Andrew Davenport. The series reached more than 120 territories and won multiple BAFTA awards. Later productions included Boohbah and In the Night Garden..., followed by Dipdap, The Adventures of Abney & Teal and Twirlywoos. Ragdoll subsequently produced the animated preschool series B.O.T. and the Beasties for BBC CBeebies, with international broadcast distribution handled by Cake Entertainment.

Independence and catalogue history

In 2006, Ragdoll formed Ragdoll Worldwide with BBC Worldwide to manage commercial and international rights across its catalogue. DHX Media, subsequently known as WildBrain, acquired that joint venture and rights to the classic library in September 2013. The transaction included rights to properties such as Teletubbies and In the Night Garden....

Ragdoll Productions Limited remained independent following the sale, retaining selected properties, including Pob, and continuing to develop original intellectual property. Its subsequent productions form part of that continuing history as a privately owned children’s production business.