Sky improves BAME representation across entertainment channels

Sky today 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.

Notes to Editors

About Sky

With 24 million customers across seven countries, Sky is Europe’s leading media and entertainment company and is proud to be part of the Comcast group.

Our 31,000 employees help connect our customers with the very best of Sports, News, the arts and to our own local, original content. Following the success of Sky originals like Chernobyl, Patrick Melrose, Das Boot and Gomorrah we launched Sky Studios and now plan to more than double our investment in original drama and comedy over the next five years.

Our technology allows customers to watch what they want, when they want, how they want, and as we connect millions of families to content they love, it is our responsibility to do it safely – that’s why we offer services like Sky Broadband Buddy and the Sky Kids app. And our online streaming service, NOW TV, brings viewers all the enjoyment of Sky with the flexibility of a contract-free service.

We also believe that a company of our scale has a responsibility that goes beyond our business, and into the community. Our Sky Ocean Rescue campaign has reached millions across Europe, we’re on track to be free of single-use plastic by 2020, we’re investing £25million over five years in ocean-saving tech and we’re a proud employer – recognised by The Times and Stonewall for our approach to inclusivity.

About Diamond

Diamond emerged from the recognition that solving a ‘big issue’ like diversity requires cross-industry collaboration. Together, the Diamond broadcasters – BBC, ITV, Channel 4, Viacom/Channel 5 and Sky – collect data from those working and appearing on UK TV productions.

Diamond collects data across 6 characteristics: gender, gender identity, age, ethnicity, sexual orientation and disability and across 30 TV channels. CDN is responsible for publishing this data by broadcaster, by genres and by role types, so that we might monitor long term changes across the production workforce.

As well as offering insights, Diamond holds the industry to account, providing an on-going account of the impact of their efforts to transform the industry into one that is inclusive and making the most of opportunities for the creative and technical talent in the industry.