For the first time ever, a children’s programme from Nigeria has been nominated for the 2019 International Emmy Kids Awards in the kids’ factual category.

What’s New? is a factual programme from BBC Africa aimed at 11- to 16-year-olds and seeks to keep young people up-to-date with what’s happening in the world.

The show features regular segments that explore current news stories, an interview with a famous figure in the news that week and a piece with a young person discussing their own life.

Co-presented by BBC News reporters Debula Kemoli and Ben Hunte, it is presented from an immersive virtual studio with stories illustrated using virtual reality technology.

The nominations for the 2019 International Emmy Kids Awards were unveiled during the Mipcom convention in Cannes yesterday.

Nominees were selected from 15 countries, namely Australia, Belgium, Brazil, Chile, Denmark, France, Germany, India, the Netherlands, Nigeria, Norway, Singapore, South Korea, Thailand and the UK.

Bruce Paisner, president and CEO of the Emmy organiser International Academy of Television Arts & Sciences, said: “The geographic spread and diversity of topics addressed in this year’s nominated programmes attest to the vibrancy and quality of children’s television throughout the world. We congratulate the nominees for their outstanding talent and for setting the standard of excellence we expect for young viewers worldwide.”

The 2019 International Emmy Kids Awards will be presented in Cannes on March 31, 2020.

tagged in: Ben Hunte, Bruce Paisner, Debula Kemoli, International Academy of Television Arts & Sciences, International Emmy Kids Awards, What’s New?