The BBC is on track to spend £100 million ($121 million) on diverse and inclusive TV content by 2023/2024, a target it has set itself in 2020 in the wake of the George Floyd assassination.
In its first progress update on the network’s Creative Diversity Commitment, the BBC said it had invested £44 million ($53 million) in 67 different TV shows since 2021. Tonight With Purpose, Then Barbara met Alan, Glow Up: Britain’s next makeup star and Dreaming while it’s black – were made by 48 different independent production companies, the BBC said, of which 73 percent were under different leadership and 10 percent had never been commissioned by the BBC before.
A total of £4 million ($4.8 million) had also been invested to support 90 different radio commissions, with the BBC confirming that means it was “on track” to raise the full target of £112 million ($135 million) to invest.
“The BBC is for everyone and audiences from all backgrounds rightly expect to see themselves represented in our programmes,” said June Sarpong, BBC Director of Creative Diversity. “That’s why we’re leading the way by making the largest financial investment for on-air inclusion in the industry. I am delighted with the progress we have made in the first year, which is an important milestone and provides a solid foundation for us to go even further to ensure the BBC truly reflects the audiences we serve.”
At the time of its 2020 diversity investment pledge, then-BBC Director-General Tony Hall said the murder of Floyd and the Black Lives Matter movement it sparked around the world left the network wondering what else we can do to help. tackling racism – and promoting inclusion within our organization and in society as a whole.”