PBS, the American pubcaster, is looking series for children from two to five years old or from three to eight years old, with education as the narrative thread. ‘At PBS Kids we are open to programs that have topics such as literacy, mathematics and character problem solving using these skills are of particular interest to our audience’, said Adriano Schmid, VP of Content at the company’s children’s unit.
PBS KIDS is interested in developing its slate of content with programs of all formats and styles, and is focused on presenting more diversity like its animated shows Molly of Denali and Alma’s Way, shows that highlight indigenous children in the far reaches of Alaska and Latino culture in New York City, respectively.
‘Following the death of George Floyd in the summer of 2020, parents reached out to the channel to learn how to talk to their children about racism. The channel is putting more emphasis on the theme and looking for new stories featuring characters from a wide variety of backgrounds. However, it is important that the behind-the-scenes staff is equally diverse,’ said Schmid. ‘Being inclusive at all stages of production is something we ask of our future production partners’.
The broadcaster has a clear objective: for American children want to see themselves on the channel. ‘While we tend to represent a larger group of children, PBS‘s focus is now on American children, so it’s important to us that all American children between the ages of two and eight see themselves on the channel and It’s important that this starts with an American coming up with the idea,’ he added.
In that sense, Schmid said that he is open to co-productions: ‘Once the idea comes to us, we will seek to work with an international producer to give life and shape to that idea, such as our preferred partners 9 Story, Fred Rogers or Atomic Cartoons’.
In addition to having an educational focus, the executive believes that all projects must be able to extend to online and mobile content or experiences such as video games. ‘While the 30-minute blocks will continue to be the main focus of PBS KIDS, the way kids view content, particularly as they switch to new channels and platforms, is opening us up to new methods of short-form storytelling’.
The VP was emphatic when referring to the fact that they are looking to partner with new creatives and producers to test short-form content: ‘This will allow us to work with new talent who may not yet have the experience to lead a longer program, and will allow them more experimentation. and it will also give them a chance to tackle topics that might be difficult to convey in a full 11-minute episode: like the importance of nutrition’.
As far as genres you don’t need right now, PBS has you covered on the science shows front. Community and civic shows are also well represented at this time. However, the channel is always in need of new literacy and math shows.
