Nina L. Diaz

Diaz grew up in the Washington Heights and Harlem neighborhoods of Manhattan.^[1] Her father is journalist David Diaz. ^[2] She attended college at Fordham University.^[1]

Diaz began working in television at New Jersey PBS affiliate WNET as an assistant to producer Steven Weinstock. In 1995, she began working for Viacom on a documentary about people with HIV, and in 1997 joined MTV as a freelancer.^[3][4] She later became a full staff member, working as a producer for MTV News and on the network's documentaries. While in this role, she pitched MTV Cribs to network executives as a way to refresh the traditional sit-down interview format. The show premiered in September 2000.^[4] Diaz has been credited with the development of The Osbournes and My Super Sweet 16.^[5][6]

In 2007, Diaz left MTV to work as an independent producer where she developed several shows for different networks, including VH1's Mob Wives and Bravo's The Real Housewives of New Jersey.^[1][5][2] She returned to Viacom (now Paramount Global) in 2014 as Senior Vice President of East Coast Production and Development at VH1.^[2] In 2016, she was promoted to Executive Vice President for Unscripted Programming on VH1 and MTV^[7] and two years later was elevated President of Programming and Development for MTV, VH1, and the Logo Group. During this time, she developed a variety of shows popular in the 18-34 age demographic, including Martha and Snoop's Potluck Dinner Party, Love & Hip Hop, Floribama Shore, Siesta Key, Black Ink Crew, Hip Hop Squares, Jersey Shore: Family Vacation, Ex on the Beach, The Amber Rose Show, and a reboot of America's Next Top Model.^[8][5][2] She was also responsible for renewing Total Request Live, Teen Mom: Young and Pregnant, and The Challenge: Champs vs. Pros.^[5]

In 2020, Diaz became President of Content and Chief Creative Officer of MTV Entertainment Studios. In that role, she oversaw both scripted and unscripted programming at MTV, Comedy Central, TV Land, Paramount Network, Smithsonian Channel, VH1, Pop, Logo TV, and CMT.^[9] She led development of unscripted shows and adult animation for Paramount+ in 2021 as its chief creative officer for those divisions while retaining her role with MTV Entertainment.^[10] In February 2023, Diaz became President of Content and Chief Creative Officer at Showtime/MTV Entertainment Studios following the merger of the two entities.^[11] She co-executive produced The Agency in 2024.^[12]