John Hardman was named the top executive at the Kids’ WB Network last week.
As senior VP of Kids’ WB, Mr. Hardman will oversee all aspects of development, scheduling and programming for the network. He has been with the network for four years and most recently was the No. 2 executive as VP of programming and development, Kids’ WB Mr. Hardman replaces Donna Friedman Meir, who left earlier this week to head a new kids division at National Geographic Television & Film (see separate story).
Mr. Hardman said he’s committed to maintaining the Kids’ WB’s status as the No. 1 kids broadcast network and will continue to seek ways to appeal to a broader audience.
“Our goals are pretty much the same as they’ve been for the past four years-to continue to dominate in the core key demos that we’ve been so successful with and to build off that and grow and to attract more kids in the other demos [and] to continue to challenge the competition to live up to our high standards.”
Mr. Hardman said Kids’ WB will continue the strategy it implemented last year when it introduced new kids programming on a year-round basis-a move he credits with helping the network achieve its most successful season to date.
Before joining Kids’ WB Mr. Hardman was head of development and current programming for the TV animation division of DreamWorks SKG and director of creative affairs at Klasky Csupo Studios.
“[The kids business] is the most fun aspect of the entertainment industry that I’ve ever been involved in,” he said. “You get to stay a kid at heart. You have to look for ways to excite and energize and invigorate the young minds of America and across the globe.”