UK factual indie hires BBC exec for kids TV

Simon Parsons via LinkedIn

Scotland-based indie Maramedia is blending its natural history programming roots with children’s television for the first time.

The company has brought in former head of children’s production for BBC Scotland Simon Parsons to lead a new Marakids children’s brand.

Last week, BBC Children’s announced a new Maramedia-produced drama and factual entertainment format titled Gudrun the Viking Princess as part of its latest content line-up.

The 20x5mins series, filmed in Scotland, will mix “wildlife and landscaps, Viking history and a rich family of characters”, with a Gaelic-language version also set for BBC Alba, a regional BBC network.

“Bringing together children’s production and natural history in this unique new format is a dream combination and a commission we are thrilled to be embarking on for CBeebies,” said Nigel Pope, co-founder and creative director of Maramedia.

Maramedia is best known for natural history series such as the BBC’s Highlands – Scotland’s Wild Heart and BBC Natural World and PBS David Attenborough coproduction Hotel Armadillo.

Parsons, who will run Marakids, was executive producer of British kids morning magazine shows Live and Kicking and The Saturday Show, and more recently produced CBeebies seried Teacup Travels. He has more than 400 hours of network TV credentials.