Is Children in Need Today? 2026 Appeal Show Starts at 7pm

Verified: Friday, 13 November 2026, 9:07 a.m. GMT (UTC+00:00).

Yes—BBC Children in Need is today, Friday 13 November. The live Appeal Show is scheduled to start at 7 p.m. GMT on BBC One and BBC iPlayer, broadcasting from MediaCityUK in Salford. The charity describes the programme as a three-hour evening of entertainment and fundraising, with presenters Alex Jones, Mel Giedroyc, Rylan, Sara Cox and Tyler West.

Destaques

• The 2026 Appeal Show is on Friday 13 November.
• It begins at 7 p.m. GMT on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.
• The live programme is due to come from MediaCityUK, Salford.
• Children in Need fundraising and activities take place beyond the televised show.

What time does Children in Need start tonight?

The official BBC Children in Need Appeal Show page lists a 7 p.m. start on BBC One and BBC iPlayer. The time is UK time: Salford is on Greenwich Mean Time (GMT, UTC+00:00) on 13 November. The charity says the show will run for three hours, so it is scheduled to continue into the 10 p.m. hour. A live broadcast can change, so check BBC One or iPlayer listings if you need to confirm closer to airtime.

The programme is presented from MediaCityUK in Salford. The charity’s published lineup names Alex Jones, Mel Giedroyc, Rylan, Sara Cox and Tyler West as hosts. Its appeal page says viewers can expect performances, sketches, surprise appearances and stories about children and young people supported by projects across the UK.

Is Children in Need only on television today?

No. The televised Appeal Show is the focal point of the fundraising calendar, but the charity’s activities span the year. Schools, workplaces, families and community groups can raise money through their own events and challenges. The charity’s official site promotes Challenge Yourself 2026, which invites people to build a fundraiser around the number 26, and other activities such as Run with Pudsey.

That distinction helps explain why references to “Children in Need day” can mean more than the broadcast. Friday 13 November is the date of this year’s Appeal Show and the main fundraising day, while fundraising efforts and the work funded by the appeal happen throughout the year. The charity says it supports projects serving children and young people across the UK.

What is the purpose of the 2026 appeal?

BBC Children in Need says donations help fund local organisations and projects that support children and young people. In its announcement launching the 2026 appeal, the charity reported that it can fund only one in six organisations that ask it for help. The same announcement described research commissioned by the charity among 2,000 UK children aged 11 to 16 and their parents: 44% of the children surveyed said they had sometimes or more often felt worried or low with no one to talk to in the previous month.

Those figures are the charity’s account of its commissioned research, rather than a measure of every child in the UK. They give context for the appeal’s emphasis on trusted relationships and local support. The charity says more than 1,500 funded projects work in areas including youth clubs, community groups, family centres, hospices and helplines. The appeal’s stated goal is to help those kinds of services provide support and opportunities.

How can viewers take part?

Viewers can watch the programme on BBC One or BBC iPlayer and follow the charity’s official fundraising guidance to donate or support a fundraiser. If you are organising an event, use the charity’s own fundraising resources and check any instructions that apply to collecting or paying in donations. The official website also has a postcode search for finding funded projects in local communities.

The appeal is a live television event, but there is no requirement to watch the broadcast to participate. A school activity, workplace fundraiser or personal challenge can be part of the broader appeal. Check the official BBC Children in Need website for current details, donation options and any changes to the evening’s programme.

Sources checked

• BBC Children in Need: Appeal Show – 13 November 2026
• BBC Children in Need: 2026 appeal launch and research details
• BBC Children in Need: official homepage and appeal information

FAQs

Is Children in Need on today, 13 November 2026?

Yes. The 2026 Appeal Show is scheduled for Friday 13 November.

What time does the show start?

It starts at 7 p.m. GMT on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.

Where is the live show broadcast from?

The charity says the show will broadcast live from MediaCityUK in Salford.