The BBC has announced that it is committing £100 million ($124 million USD) of its existing commission budget to diverse and inclusive content over three years, starting in 2021. It stands as the biggest financial investment to on-air inclusion in the industry made by a U.K. broadcaster.
According to a press release, the U.K. public broadcaster’s Creative Diversity Commitment will also include “a new mandatory 20% diverse-talent target in all new network commissions from April 2021.”
With the investment, the broadcaster is dedicated to creating content “with at least two of the following three priorities: diverse stories and portrayal on-screen; diverse production teams and talent; [and] diverse-led production companies.”
The investment will be aided by further commitments. The Creative Diversity Unit, which is spearheaded by June Sarpong, the broadcaster’s Director of Creative Diversity, is set to publish a new strategy over the summer.
Said Sarpong, “I’m pleased that we’re announcing this fund as the first of a series of bold steps that will help make the BBC an instrument of real change. As a Black woman, I feel and share in the pain that so many are feeling worldwide. It makes it all the more important that we show up now not just with words but with meaningful action.”
The announcement follows the publication of two letters from Black and Brown creatives in the U.K. in the past week, the first of which — addressed to the government and broadcasters — outlined proposals and objectives for making the industry more inclusive. The second letter called on the industry at large for systemic change in combating racism. Referring to the continued worldwide protests against police brutality and anti-Black racism, the letter’s organizers wrote: “There will be no end until financiers, distributors and the community of decision-makers cease this practice of marginalizing our voices and our stories.”
It’s not the first time the BBC and their fellow broadcasters have been under pressure of this kind. “When I met Steve McQueen last year during the making of ‘Small Axe,’ he challenged me and the BBC to set meaningful targets and take proper action. He was right,” said Charlotte Moore, Director of Content. Addressing the new commitment, she added, “Today’s announcement represents a truly transformational commitment to both on and off screen representation. Concrete, tangible action is the only way we can bring about real sustainable change.”
The BBC will announce further plans in other production areas in the coming weeks.
A former television presenter, Sarpong is the author of books “Diversify: Six Degrees of integration” and “The Power of Women.” She was appointed as the BBC’s Director of Creative Diversity in November 2019.
