I'll save Peppa Pig's bacon: Turnbull

It could be the most unpopular of all Federal Budget cuts - at least among parents of preschoolers.

ABC managing director Mark Scott says he cannot guarantee the future of cult children's cartoon Peppa Pig on the public broadcaster in the face of a Government funding squeeze.

The ABC boss issued the warning yesterday as he cautioned that a range of television, radio and news programs could be under threat after the Abbott Government slashed $120 million from Aunty's budget over four years.

The animated British series is one of the most popular children's shows on the ABC.

Asked during a Senate hearing whether the show could go as part of funding cuts, Mr Scott gave no guarantees.

"We have contracts to continue to deliver Peppa Pig, but of course the service we provide depends on the funding envelope provided," he said.

But Communications Minister Malcolm Turnbull hosed down fears Peppa Pig was headed for the abattoir.

"If Peppa were at risk, and she is not, then I would lead the charge to save her bacon," he told _The West Australian _.

"With crackling dialogue like Peppa's, how could she be given the chop? Peppa's is one snout we are happy to have in the ABC trough."

Last year conservative columnist Piers Akerman wrote in Sydney's Daily Telegraph that Peppa Pig pushed a "weird feminist line" and suggested it was part of a wider left-wing ABC agenda.