Hahn sets out ViacomCBS kids wishlist

CMC: ViacomCBS International Studios Kids is looking for preschool, animation, live-action and TV movies for its Nickelodeon channels.

Nina Hahn

Nina Hahn, head of the new division, outlined her shopping list at the Children’s Media Conference’s online Animation Business Conference virtual event on Thursday.

ViacomCBS International Studios (VIS), meanwhile, wants programmes that “reflect the world authentically in which a kid lives,” particularly dramas, anthologies and young-adult content aimed at those over the age of 14.

For the Nickelodeon channels, show lengths should follow the typical seven-, 11- and 22-minute rule in order to fit with the commercial model and ad breaks. For VIS, Paramount+ and Pluto TV, the company is “length-agnostic,” according to Hahn.

The exec added that she is happy to see ideas at any stage of development, but that earlier is better in order to fully “understand and bring to life the creator’s vision” and prevent the company from feeling “less like a partner and more like a translator.”

“Showing us anything earlier is great, even if it’s just on a scribbled piece of paper,” Hahn said.