A quarter of BBC production team roles must meet diversity targets under new rules that also commit to working with diverse-led production companies.
The BBC will spend at least £80m a year on content that meets its creative diversity criteria, with stronger off-air representation in senior production roles a particular focus.
It has raised its representation targets for TV production teams across ethnicity, disability and socio-economic diversity from 20% to 25%.
It is asking all productions to adhere to a newly-published set of Inclusive Production Principles that range from accessibility to hair and make-up and community engagement.
Productions must outline how they will apply these principles, and how they will hit the 25% target, to win a commission.
Over the past three years, the BBC has invested £243m to drive on- and off-air conclusion – more than double its original commitment.
The Sir Lenny Henry Centre for Media Diversity (LHC) has published its review of these original creative diversity commitments.
Among its recommendations is that the BBC makes diverse company leadership one of the mandatory requirements to qualify for future investment.
It also calls on the BBC to widen its pool of production companies and teams that commit to creative diversity, to identify future early-stage development and collaboration in developing initiatives and investments.
BBC head of creative diversity Jessica Schibli said the corporation was setting an “industry benchmark”.
She added: “Building on the insights gained over the past three years, our new creative diversity commitments go further to deepen our dedication to making meaningful and lasting changes both on and off air, particularly in senior roles off-air which influence the creative output.
“We are focused on leading the way in representation, inclusion and authenticity, to ensure that the BBC continues to be impactful in serving all audiences.”
