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Entertainment • Children's TV

Bob the Builder

Bob the Builder is a British animated children's television series created by Keith Chapman for HIT Entertainment.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated September 11, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Bob the Builder is a British animated children's television series created by Keith Chapman for HIT Entertainment. It follows Bob, a general contractor, and his team of anthropomorphic construction vehicles as they complete building and repair jobs while solving problems cooperatively. The franchise is known for the catchphrase “Can we fix it? Yes we can” and has been available to Canadian children through television distribution and related merchandise.

Premise

The series follows Bob and his team as they undertake construction, maintenance, and repair tasks in their community. Episodes typically focus on teamwork, problem-solving, and basic lessons for young children.

Production and broadcast history

Bob the Builder was created by Keith Chapman for HIT Entertainment and first aired in the United Kingdom on BBC One before later moving to CBeebies. The original run lasted from 1999 to 2011, and a separate reboot premiered in 2015.

Characters

The franchise features Bob, Wendy, and a group of vehicle characters including Scoop, Muck, Dizzy, Roley, and Lofty. The characters are presented as a team of construction machinery and helpers.

Format and animation

The original series used stop-motion animation, while later spin-offs and reboot material used CGI animation. The show is designed as an educational children's programme with simple stories and repetitive, reassuring structure.

Key facts

  • The original series began in 1999 and ended in 2011 in the United Kingdom.
  • The show centres on Bob, a general contractor, and his construction-machine team.
  • The franchise is known for the catchphrase “Can we fix it? Yes we can”.
  • The original series used stop-motion animation before later iterations used CGI.
  • A rebooted 2015 television series also exists within the franchise.
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Canadian context

Bob the Builder aired in Canada and the franchise has been available to Canadian children through television distribution and related merchandise.

Frequently asked questions

What is Bob the Builder about?
It is about Bob, a builder, and his team of construction vehicles working together to complete jobs and solve problems.
Who created Bob the Builder?
The series was created by Keith Chapman for HIT Entertainment.
When did Bob the Builder first air?
The original series first aired in the United Kingdom on 12 April 1999.
What is Bob the Builder’s famous catchphrase?
“Can we fix it? Yes we can.”
Was Bob the Builder animated with stop-motion?
Yes. The original series used stop-motion animation.
Is there more than one Bob the Builder series?
Yes. In addition to the original run, there is a 2015 reboot series.

References

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bob_the_Builder
    Supports: Original series overview, creator, premise, broadcast dates, and animation format.
  2. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bob_the_Builder_(2015_TV_series)
    Supports: Information on the 2015 reboot series.
  3. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bob_the_Builder_(character)
    Supports: Bob as the titular character, catchphrase, and setting details across series.
  4. Wikipedia Bahasa Melayu — https://ms.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bob_The_Builder
    Supports: Premise, original broadcast dates, and stop-motion/CGI transition.
  5. Wikidata — https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q888360
    Supports: Basic identification of the work as a British children's stop-motion animated television series.