Sky reports latest Diamond diversity data

• Calls for reprioritising diversity data gathering as productions return to set

Sky today reported further progress on its diversity targets for original productions in the UK.

A new analysis of Sky’s Diamond diversity data confirms that a quarter (25%) of on-screen talent come from a Black, Asian or Minority Ethnic background, above Sky’s target of 20%.

In addition, progress has been made on two targets that have previously proven to be challenging - ethnic diversity among senior production roles and series writers.

In the six months to the end of March this year BAME representation in senior roles in production reached 10% for the first time, achieving Sky’s target.

Sky has long considered increasing BAME representation in senior production roles (Head of department level) as critical in fostering the growth and development of new and diverse talent behind the camera.

Among writers, BAME representation across original drama and comedy reached 17%, a 9-point improvement on Sky’s full-year report announced earlier this year.

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.

Commenting on the results, Gary Davey, CEO of Sky Studios and Executive sponsor of Sky’s Multiculture Network, said, “We are encouraged by the most recent data but we know we still have a lot of work to do in reaching and maintaining all our inclusion targets.

“As more and more productions return to set, ensuring cast and crew fill out their Diamond data forms is a critical task, alongside daily temperature checking and other safety measures.

“Diamond can only be as effective and useful to the industry as the data it is able to collect. As productions start back up again, I encourage all of us to redouble our efforts on gathering data that will help make long-lasting change for the better.”

In June this year, Sky committed £30m to support the fight against racial injustice and invest more in diversity and inclusion. A number of measures are being implemented to; improve Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic representation at all levels across all of Sky’s territories, make a difference in communities impacted by racism and further enable Sky to use the power of its voice and platform to highlight racial injustice. Sky is also appointing a Chief Diversity & Inclusion Officer and has established a Diversity Action Group, made up of diverse colleagues from across Sky.

ENDS

Notes to Editors

Media Contact: Harrison.Kelly@sky.uk / +44 (0) 7817476365

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.

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 32,000 employees help connect our customers to the very best entertainment, sports, news, arts and to our own local, original content.

Following the success of Sky originals like Chernobyl, we plan to double our investment in original content by 2024. We’re also developing a new TV and movie studio, Sky Studios Elstree, which is expected to lead to the creation of over 2,000 new jobs and generate an additional £3 billion of production investment in UK creative sector in the first five years alone.

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, we believe 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. We recently announced a series of commitments to help tackle racial injustice and improve diversity and inclusion. To ensure the commitments are delivered, Sky will invest £10million per year across its markets for each of the next three years. We’re committed to being Europe’s first net zero carbon entertainment company by 2030 – two decades before we have to – and we’re an inclusive employer recognised by The Times and Stonewall for our commitment to diversity.

About Sky Studios

Sky Studios brings to screen unique stories from the very best talent in Europe.

We develop, produce and fund original drama, comedy and documentary for Sky’s 24m customers and beyond, with 52 scripted shows already in production. Building on the success of critically-acclaimed Sky originals including Emmy-winning Chernobyl, Bafta-winning Patrick Melrose and international hits Babylon Berlin and Riviera, Sky Studios is the new creative home of Sky originals, such as The Third Day with Jude Law, ZeroZeroZero from the makers of Gomorrah and The New Pope directed by Academy Award-winning director Paolo Sorrentino.

We’re an agile Studio, seeking out the best untold stories from new voices while working in creative partnership with today’s best writers, producers and on-screen talent to bring viewers stories they wouldn’t find anywhere else.

With commissioning talent and production capability across the UK, Germany and Italy, we understand local tastes across Europe better than anyone else and have plans to more than double our investment in original content by 2024, fully supported and backed by Comcast NBC Universal.

We’re also developing a new TV and movie studio, Sky Studios Elstree, which is expected to lead to the creation of over 2,000 new jobs and generate an additional £3 billion of production investment in UK creative sector in the first five years alone.

Sky Studios invests in the cultural economy and global production sector with equity stakes in nine production companies in the UK and the US, including Great British Bake-Off creator Love Productions, and the premiere reality crime producer in the US, Jupiter Entertainment, creator of long-running hit Snapped. Sky Studios has invested in high quality factual specialists Blast Films and True North Productions; entertainment and format expert Znak & Co (US & UK); natural history producer True to Nature; drama producers The Lighthouse and Longboat Pictures; and growth businesses Sugar Films, Chrysalis Vision, and Talos Films (US).

Sky Studios launched in June 2019. The senior leadership team is Chief Executive Officer Gary Davey, Chief Commercial Officer Jane Millichip, Chief Finance Officer Caroline Cooper, Director of Drama UK Cameron Roach, Director of Comedy UK Jon Mountague, Director Original Production Sky Italia Nils Hartmann, and Director Original Productions Sky Deutschland Marcus Ammon.