Maribel Ramos-Weiner
Guillermo Sierra, head of Television and Digital Services at HITN, emphasized the significance of environmentally conscious children’s programming and its impact on co-viewing.
According to Sierra, HITN and Edye prioritize environmentally conscious children’s programming as a crucial part of their content every day. They’ve found that such content not only resonates well with audiences but also creates opportunities for co-viewing, where individuals of different ages enjoy the content simultaneously. This dynamic is ideal for families who enjoy watching television together.
Regarding sustainable production, Sierra noted that it’s still an emerging topic, with much to learn. Most nature-themed content is produced by major creators working primarily for international public TV channels. In Europe, there’s significant pressure for nature productions to be environmentally conscious, not only in terms of their own carbon footprint but also in respecting the environments they depict. There’s a growing awareness to avoid negatively impacting species and their habitats in pursuit of the perfect shot.
Sierra highlighted that over 50% of HITN’s programming schedule focuses on nature and conservation, positioning them as leaders in the field. Edye, as an extension of HITN’s mission, also addresses these topics in preschool-appropriate content, introducing children to natural history and conservation in engaging ways. Educational guides accompany these programs, enabling parents to extend learning beyond video viewing.
Sierra stressed the importance of making environmentally themed programming not only ecologically sound but also relevant, attractive, and entertaining. He noted that overly intense environmental messaging can overwhelm audiences, hindering the educational objective. Thus, the challenge lies in creating content that is both informative and engaging to ensure viewership.
He mentioned seeing increasingly well-developed programs that are both attractive and successful. For instance, at a recent MIPTV pitch session, they encountered an animation featuring a group of superhero girls combating ecological damage uniquely and appealingly. Developed with the help of AI, these characters boasted innovative visuals not previously seen in children’s programming. Sierra anticipates seeing more innovative ideas that continue to promote this important mission in the future.