Press Release Details

Longtime president of HBO Documentary Films to shepherd new generation of documentary filmmakers exploring issues that impact youth

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 7, 2019-- MTV, a unit of Viacom (NASDAQ:VIAB), today announced that Sheila Nevins — the legendary producer who redefined modern documentary storytelling and won dozens of Emmy® and Peabody® Awards as President of HBO Documentary Films — will join MTV to launch MTV Documentary Films. As part of MTV Studios, the new division will develop documentary films and specials for third-party streaming services, premium networks and MTV platforms. Under Nevins’ leadership, MTV Documentary Films will embrace a new generation of filmmakers exploring the social, political and cultural trends and stories important to young people.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20190507005987/en/

Sheila Nevins

“MTV has always been at the forefront of youth culture, and the generation that is growing up now will change the world in ways we can’t even imagine,” said Nevins. “I’m excited to join MTV with electrifying stories that explore the crises and commitments that young people face every day.”

“Throughout her stellar career, Sheila has elevated documentaries into one of the most compelling, culturally influentially forms of modern storytelling,” said Chris McCarthy, President of MTV. “As we grow and expand MTV, we’re excited for Sheila to bring a new generation of filmmakers to the forefront and continue to extend our creativity and cultural impact.”

Nina L. Diaz, President of Entertainment for MTV, added, “What we started two decades ago with MTV News and Docs continues to inspire today. As we relaunch our documentary division, it’s exhilarating to have Sheila at the helm.”

MTV Documentary Films continues the rapid expansion of the global youth brand across its network of channels, platforms, live events and third-party development through MTV Studios. Under Nevins’ leadership, MTV Documentary Films will build on the rich heritage of MTV News and Docs and MTV Films which, for more than 20 years, produced groundbreaking content including the Emmy Award winning series “True Life,” the Academy Award® nominated “Tupac: Resurrection” and the Academy Award winning “Hustle & Flow.”

As President of HBO Documentary Films, Nevins helped shape culture for more than three decades. Her projects have garnered 28 Academy Awards and 44 Peabody® Awards, and Nevins has personally won a record of 34 individual Primetime Emmy Awards. She is the executive producer of more than 1,500 acclaimed series and films including “Going Clear: Scientology and the Prison of Belief,” “When the Levees Broke,” “Paradise Lost,” “America Undercover,” “Taxicab Confessions” and the Oscar® winning “Citizenfour” – where she first worked with MTV Communications Head Liza Burnett Fefferman, who suggested Nevins to MTV.

ABOUT MTV

MTV is the leading global youth media brand in 180 countries, reaching 450 million households in nearly 30 different languages across every platform. A unit of Viacom Inc. (NASDAQ:VIAB, VIA), MTV operations span cable and mobile networks, live events, theatrical films and MTV Studios.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20190507005987/en/

Source: MTV

Trevor Martin
trevor.martin@viacommix.com