TORONTO – At the virtual Banff World Media Festival Friday morning, CBC announced a new programming diversity commitment it says will “better reflect Canadian audiences and advance equity, inclusion and representation in the Canadian production industry.”
Effective immediately, the national public broadcaster’s programming diversity commitment will require that at least 30% “of all key creative roles on new CBC original scripted and unscripted series commissioned from independent producers will be held by those who self-identify as Indigenous, Black and/or people of colour or persons with disabilities,” reads the release.
Each type of series will have a tailored, genre-specific approach to what is considered a key creative role, with details to be posted on cbc.ca/ip. For example, continues the announcement “for scripted drama, comedy and kids (live action) series, the 30% requirement will apply to all writer, director and principal performer roles. The new commitment will be included in all CBC contracts with independent producers, and will also require that producers of current CBC series set action plans detailing how they will work to increase equity and representation across existing productions.”
For the full announcement, please click here.
