ITV diversity report reveals aim to increase number of staff from working-class backgrounds

UK broadcaster ITV has published its 2022 Diversity Acceleration Plan report, which details the progress the organization has made in its D&I strategy, and lays out the next phase of its plan, which includes a new target for employees from working-class backgrounds.

In the report, ITV sets a goal to increase working-class representation in its ranks to 33% by 2025. This is the first time that the broadcaster has set a D&I target based on socioeconomic background.

The broadcaster also published intersectional data for the first time, showing that the proportion of women of color and Black women at ITV (8.7% and 2.1%, respectively) exceeds the national average (7% and 1.7%).

Additionally, ITV is working to increase diversity in both its biggest programs and new commissions. Data on the broadcaster’s top 50 programs (by highest contribution to viewing and highest ratings) and its new commissions shows progress in the proportion of people of color in lead roles since 2019.

Earlier this year, ITV announced the establishment of the Diversity Commissioning Fund, which reserves £80 million (US$96 million) of the broadcaster’s commissioning budget over three years to drive change towards racial and disability equity. A percentage of the fund (at least £20 million) will be reserved for production companies led by people of color or those who identify as d/Deaf, disabled or neurodiverse.

“We’ve made real strides forward over the last year, with highlights including people of color and disabled people feeling better-represented by ITV onscreen, launching our £80 million Diversity Commissioning Fund, and supporting Google’s Black Founders with £1 million of commercial airtime,” Ade Rawcliffe, ITV’s group director of diversity and inclusion, said in a news release.

“We have more to do to become an anti-racist, anti-ableist organization,” she continued. “The structural inequalities we see across society and the broadcasting industry are being addressed at ITV, too. We’re working to be part of the solution — removing barriers for underrepresented groups, changing the structure of the industry, and shaping culture for good.”

Spain’s Atresmedia licenses BBC Studios format The 1% Club

BBC Studios game show The 1% Club has been acquired for its fourth regional adaptation, with Spanish broadcaster Atresmedia Televisìon licensing the format for Antena 3.

Created by Magnum Media, The 1% Club challenges both on-screen competitors and viewers at home with questions that forces them to use their logic, common sense and problem-solving abilities. Those who come out on top can contend that they deserve membership in the “1% Club,” the elite group of people who can make a case that they are smarter than 99% of the population.

The original UK edition of the series, hosted by comedian Lee Mack, debuted on ITV this past April, and has already been confirmed for a second series. Prior to its homeland premiere the format had already locked three international sales, for France (France Télévisions), Israel (Kan) and the Netherlands (RTL). The newly -licensed Spanish edition will consist of six 120-minute episodes.

“The 1% Club‘s winning formula of entertainment and fantastic play-along problem-solving continues to attract strong interest from our international customers, and it is exciting that Atresmedia has become the fourth partner to commission a local version of the format,” said André Renaud, SVP of global format sales for BBC Studios. “Spanish-speaking markets are responding more and more to the breadth of our catalog in both scripted and unscripted formats, and we are ambitious in our plans to bring even more to audiences in Spain and Latin America in the future.”

“We are delighted to have acquired The 1% Club from BBC Studios, given Atresmedia’s strategy to continue making a commitment to internationally successful formats,” added Carmen Ferreiro, Atresmedia’s director of entertainment programs. “The most popular quiz shows on Spanish TV are on Antena 3, which makes this program the perfect addition to our entertainment catalog.”

Armoza Formats’ Family Piggy Bank heads to Portugal

Armoza Formats, part of ITV Studios, announced a new commission of the CGI-based studio game show format, Family Piggy Bank (pictured), in Portugal.

Produced by Fremantle Portugal for RTP1, the local adaptation is set to air weeknights during primetime, starting later this summer.

Hailing from Armoza Formats and Gamechanger, Family Piggy Bank puts one family’s knowledge and trust in each other to the test as they work together to try to fill their piggy bank during three rounds of trivia questions. The format’s innovative CGI technology, which will be highlighted in the Portuguese adaptation, comes with a technological hub that creates a shiny-floor studio and virtual gameplay movements.

With files from Andrew Tracy