[excel99]

Big gaps in production for Sooty seems to be a thing under the Richard Caddell ownership, as the previous incarnation only made three series as well, and then it was all relaunched a few years later for another series. This was never an issue under Corbett (Matthew and Harry) as they got an entire series out every year for over 40 years across two networks and two different brands.

The early 00's Sooty was pre-Richard ownership IIRC. I think I right in saying that the owners at the time were behind unpopular changes that didn't work - Soo being 'dumbed down', some of the puppets being redesigned? That then led into the junk food advertising ban - I suspect that combination led to no recommission

The early 10's reboot I think suffered because ITV lost interest in pre-school children for a while. By the time the 2013 series aired there was very little pre-school programming on CITV. Sooty premiered around 7am on weekend mornings, which was as good as it got for pre-school shows at the time. Down the line, pre-school shows did make it back into the term time daytime schedule - including Sooty - but they clearly weren't a priority for a channel focused on an older audience

The 2018 series at just six episodes was very welcome, but in retrospect feels like a token recommission to coincide with the launch of LittleBe. A little new content to help promote the new strand, but not a serious investment in pre-school programming

Maybe at times Richard hasn't wanted to be filming new TV series, but I think factors beyond his control play a big part in explaining the gaps in production