Sky has reported interim results from its tracking of BAME inclusivity both on screen and behind the camera across its entertainment channels.
In the 12 months to the end of September 2019, BAME representation on screen was 31%, well ahead of Sky’s published target of 20%.
Progress is also being made in many areas off screen, with at least one person from a BAME background holding a senior production role across all Sky commissioned shows. One area that continues to be a focus is writing talent, after the data revealed that 8% of writers were BAME against the company target of 20%.
Sky already has several programmes aimed at addressing areas of ongoing underrepresentation. For example, Sky Table Reads is a monthly event launched in 2015. Led by Sky Drama, it spotlights writers from BAME background and provides an opportunity for casting directors to introduce diverse acting talent to producers and executives.
Commenting today, Sky’s Executive Sponsor of BAME Inclusion, Gary Davey said: “The Diamond data is an essential tool for holding ourselves accountable for diversity on both sides of the screen. We are making huge progress in some areas, but Diamond has highlighted specific areas where we need to redouble our efforts. This is especially the case among the writer population, where we’ll be stepping up efforts to address the underrepresentation of BAME voices. We believe in broad and representative creative input, so we have to continue to step up in this area.”
Sky has collected data from across its original commissions made in the UK as part of Project Diamond. Using the world-first Diamond system, created by the TV industry’s Creative Diversity Network (CDN), broadcasters can now use data to track representation across a wide range of characteristics.
The next publication of the industry-wide Diamond report, the third annual publication, is scheduled for release later this month. For the first time the report will contain data across production roles and genres which will allow the industry to identify the areas of greatest need.
