U.S. Content Studio

What’s the best way to have an impact?

Tell a good story. Make it entertaining. And strive for social change.

Population Media Center is a content studio.  In the U.S. market, we develop, finance, and produce original content that addresses contemporary social issues, utilizing diverse formats and genres on traditional network, cable, streaming, and digital platforms.

Our narrative focus is in addressing the broad, complex, and infinitely interesting areas of women’s empowerment, human rights, and environmental sustainability. Of course, these issues are just part of the diverse spectrum of real-world situations and environments that Americans experience on a daily basis. Life is not simple, so our stories aren’t either.

We have progressive sensibilities, a national perspective – and a laser focus on storytelling for social good. We value great entertainment and building powerful narratives. Our characters are authentic and multi-dimensional, based on in-depth research into a particular issue or area of interest. But our journey to a great story always follows one guiding star: to empower people to live healthier and more prosperous lives.

PMC show picked up as Hulu original

Nominated for six Daytime Emmys

Catalyzed viewers to assess risk for pregnancy and STDs

First all Latino cast in Hollywood

Not just successful entertainment. Proven Social Results.

 

Population Media Center ‘s multi-Emmy Award® nominated series, East Los High, rose to be one of the top five shows on Hulu during its first season. This series proves it’s possible to gain critical acclaim, ratings – and social outcomes:

  • In the first month, more than 27,000 people used a planned parenthood widget from eastloshigh.com
  • Of those more than 27,000 people, 55% were NEW visits to planned parenthood
  • On the day East Los High premiered, traffic to StayTeen.org doubled
  • In the first month, direct traffic to StayTeen.org increased by 53%
  • More than 60% of viewers said they referred East Los High resources to a friend
  • 48% of the target sample visited the eastloshigh.com resources page
  • 81% of visitors to the resources page shared and recommended the resources to others
Girls playing with a robot

Harlem Code: In Development

Harlem Code is a one-hour scripted drama series currently in active development. The project uses commissioned research by Columbia University - and insights from numerous community partnerships - to tell authentic and compelling stories revolving around real-world issues affecting Harlem youth.

East Los High actress

East Los High

East Los High is a six-time Emmy Award™ nominated series. It was produced in association with Wise Entertainment as a Hulu original series. Rising to be one of the top five Hulu shows in the first month of broadcast, it has also been featured in publications such as the American Journal of Public Health for its positive impact on issues like adolescent sexual and reproductive health.

Último año cast members

Último Año

Último Año is an award winning series co-produced with MTV Latin America originally reaching an estimated 22 million households. Broadcast expanded the following year to Cadena 3 in Mexico and MTV Tr3s in the United States. After broadcast, evaluation in Mexico found that 16-24-year-old viewers were significantly more likely to say they used protection to prevent pregnancy.

A Closer Look

Students at East Los High
East Los High: Sizzle Reel
Welcome to East Los Angeles Sign
East Los High: Behind the Scenes
Text East Los High Transmedia Experience
East Los High: Transmedia

Have questions about PMC's U.S. content?

Contact Us

In The News

Woman holding sign at protest. The sign reads: Hands off my reproductive rights!

PMC Announces Production of Crossing the Line

Crossing the Line, a 10-episode docu-style podcast, will follow the incredible journeys of real women and individuals seeking abortion care despite legislative, geographic, socio-economic, or other barriers.

Learn More
Script and a film clapper board on a wooden table

2021 PMC CineStory Scholarship Announced

The CineStory Foundation is excited to announce that writer Audrey Webb is the recipient of the 2021 Population Media Center (PMC) CineStory Scholarship for her script DEAD NAME.

Read More
Man with a camera and mic setting up to shoot a scene.

What We Can Learn from the Rise of Social Impact Entertainment (SIE)

Entertainment is evolving at an unprecedented pace, but so is how audiences consume it and what they expect to be represented in the stories we tell.

Read More

See More News

 

Lisa Caruso, PMC Head of U.S. Content

Lisa Caruso
Head of U.S. Content

With over 20 years of industry experience as a producer, director, screenwriter, and development executive, Lisa previously founded Virago Entertainment, to bring authentic and courageous female-driven content to the forefront. She previously worked in scripted development for two shingles at Universal Studios and also had an extensive career in non-fiction and transmedia, having directed and produced numerous reality series and documentary specials for HBO, Bravo, MTV, and E! as well as being an EP for Discovery and Ashton Kutcher’s Katalyst Films. She received an MFA in Directing from The American Film Institute, a Global MBA from the Thunderbird School of Global Management, and a Certificate in Screenwriting from UCLA, where she won several awards. Lisa is a proud member of the Producers Guild of America, The Alliance of Women Directors and the AFICWDA. She has traveled to over 40 countries. 

 

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