The BBC would like to offer more diverse programming, and to do so it is advising production companies that going forward it will only commission shows with a stronger minority presence, both in front of and behind the camera.

 

“We now expect each commission to be doing everything it can to meet these [new] guidelines," a BBC internal memo said. “The positive steps you plan to take to address under-representation will be factored into commissioning discussions ahead of productions being green-lit.”

 

“The BBC’s future depends on remaining relevant to all our licence fee payers and reflecting modern Britain in an authentic way," BBC director of content Charlotte Moore added. “Audiences will stay tuned in if they feel their lives and aspirations are being reflected, both now and in the future.”

 

This is part of a major shift at the BBC that was heavily influenced by the British government. It has recently updated internal diversity rules calling for women to make up 50 percent of on-screen stars and execs by 2020. For gays, the target is 8 percent. (The British government is pushing the BBC to increase its target for LGBT representation to 10 percent.)

 

We are down with the goal for more diverse TV productions, as long as the aim continues to be quality programming. Sticking a gay -- or disabled, or female -- character into a show simply to fill a quota doesn't do anyone any good.

 

One in six BBC stars 'must be gay or lesbian or disabled' by 2020 [Daily Mail]