ITV has released figures showing that it invested £54.2 million of its Diversity Commissioning Fund in 2023.
The figure comes as part of ITV’s Diversity Acceleration Plan report for 2023 showing the progress of its Diversity, Equity and Inclusion strategy to “create and showcase content by, with and for everyone, connecting and reflecting modern audiences.”
The report says that ITV invested £54.2 million of its Diversity Commissioning Fund and £392k of its Diversity Development Fund from 2022-23 with 21 “up-and-coming” diverse writers taking part in writers’ initiatives.
In the last three years, 475 productions across around 160 production companies have embedded DEI “using ITV’s production principles – created in 2021 to embed DEI practices in every programme ITV commissions.”
ITV says 185 diverse creatives moved into more senior production roles over the past three years, since the Step Up 60 programme launched and 11 Deaf, Disabled and Neurodivergent workers took part in Amplify, ITV’s senior leadership programme
The report says that for 2024 and beyond, “ITV commits to maintaining and building on our DEI successes seeking out more diverse ideas, production companies and talent, and we will continue to collaborate across the industry” with partners including the TV Access Project and The TV Collective and will “address antisemitism and Islamophobia through education and training, supporting the Film and TV Charity’s cross-industry work in this area.”
The Diversity Commissioning Fund and Development Fund in 2024 will be used “to drive change in our mainstream content, focussing on increasing Deaf, Disabled and Neurodivergent leads. We will create more opportunities, expanding our pipeline of diverse talent. And we will train and upskill all colleagues through our new mandatory global DEI training. After a successful pilot, we will offer additional tools to support colleagues, including senior leaders and managers outside of the UK.”
Carolyn McCall, Chief Executive Officer ITV said: “As a broadcaster, streamer, and global producer, ITV has a unique opportunity to shape culture for good. Diversity, equity and inclusion are fundamental to our work at ITV. We aim to create and showcase content by, with and for everyone.
“I’d like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who delivers our Diversity Acceleration Plan. Our fantastic colleagues, networks, DEI team, and collaborators are driving measurable change.
“I’m encouraged by the improvements I’ve seen over the last three years, and we still have much work to do. We will continue to drive change and improve experiences for our colleagues, audiences, and the wider industry.”
Ade Rawcliffe, Group Director of Diversity & Inclusion ITV said: “We are pleased to share this annual Diversity Acceleration Plan report highlighting the progress we’ve made. In three years, we have made some significant improvements at ITV, on and off-screen and within our own workforce. Yet the sector faces some broader challenges and for many in the industry, this past year has been a difficult one. We will continue to work hard to protect and build on our progress.
“This year, we’ve continued to focus on long-term change. Highlights include investing £54.2 million of our Diversity Commissioning Fund from 2022-23, collaborating through the cross-industry TV Access Project to improve accessibility, and creating a pipeline of diverse writers and talent.
“Moving forward, we’re cementing and building on our work so far. As our communities, cultures and contexts continue to evolve, so must we. We will push further to achieve sustainable impact at ITV and across society.”
Jon Creamer
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