News

Published: 01/12/2016

Creative Access, a charity that facilitates access to the creative industries for young BAME talent, has today placed its 700th intern.

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Set up in 2012, with a mission to change the face of the media, the charity has already made a huge impact on the creative industries. Creative Access has placed 700 young BAME candidates in six-month or year-long paid internships with over 260 different companies. To date, over 90% of interns have secured employment at the end of their placements.

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The 700th intern, Shahurul Khan, begins his six-month internship at Swan Films next week. Shahural, the eldest of five siblings, grew up in Luton, where he went to his local state school. His mother is a housewife, and his father works as a waiter. Whilst they would have preferred him to enter a more traditional profession, they do support his decision to enter the world of media. Shahural says: "Without Creative Access, I wouldn't have found a role like this. The team couldn't have been more supportive throughout the recruitment process, and now that I'm about to begin my internship. I'm so thrilled to have this opportunity at last to prove myself and begin my career in television."

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Tony Hall, BBC Director-General, said: "Creative Access has proven to be an excellent way to bring people into our business with different skills and perspectives from our usual applicants. We have, over the past two years, taken on over sixty interns in a range of teams across the UK, and the majority have gone on to secure full-time roles with us."

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Josie Dobrin, Chief Executive, Creative Access, said: "We are thrilled that Creative Access continues to go from strength to strength. The economic rationale for Creative Access is clear - our sector needs to diversify to continue to grow and succeed in serving new markets and new audiences. Thanks to overwhelming industry support, we have developed a compelling model that will continue to bring underrepresented talent to the creative sector in order to help better reflect our society."

Published: 19/01/2017

The Commissioner Programme is a ground-breaking, joint partnership aimed at ensuring that television content and commissioning teams better reflect modern Britain.

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Supported by our key members, Creative Skillset, BBC, Channel 4, Channel 5, ITV, and Sky, this leadership programme is designed to broaden the diversity of TV commissioning by bringing in new voices and perspectives. It is targeted at experienced media professionals who are enthusiastic and committed to becoming content commissioners.

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As this programme supports broadcasters in their ambitions to improve diversity at the leadership level, applications are particularly encouraged from under-represented groups, such as those from BAME (Black Asian or Minority Ethnic) backgrounds or those with a disability as defined under the Equality Act 2010.

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Following the placement of seven professionals in the inaugural programme launched in 2015, eight roles, each lasting a minimum of 12 months, are up for grabs.

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To complement the contracts with broadcasters, there is an elite training programme that offers bespoke training, business training, and executive coaching, alongside inspiration days, learning from visionaries in other creative and digital industries, networking and mentoring, and peer group collaboration and support. CDN, the broadcasters, and Creative Skillset are looking for a range of prior experiences, ideally at the Series Producer level, from across broadcasting and the creative industries.

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The ambition is for candidates to be fully immersed in TV commissioning and strengthen their skills in managing change, taking risks, and building partnerships and teams. In bringing fresh and diverse perspectives to broadcasters and producers, they should help to shift industry sensibilities across genres and increase the amount of programming that the whole country can relate to.

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Recruitment for the programme has begun and will be managed by the individual broadcasters. Each placement is full-time and lasts for a minimum of 12 to 18 months, on a competitive senior-level salary.

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Channel 4 has announced four roles, and the BBC, Channel 5, ITV, and Sky also have a role each in various genre departments.

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Published: 06/02/2017

We have launched a call for entries for our 2017 CDN Television Diversity Awards. These awards reward outstanding quality, creativity, and diversity in television that represent all aspects of British society.

Entries can be submitted from today through the dedicated CDN awards website.

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The award categories are designed to acknowledge outstanding work both on and off-screen and serve to showcase exciting breakthrough talent. Eligible programmes, on-screen performances, and authored work must have had their first transmission in the UK between 30th November 2014 and 30th November 2016. Further entry criteria can be found on the website.

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This year, the categories include Outstanding Programme in each of the Drama, Comedy, Entertainment, Factual and News, and Current Affairs genres. Entries will need to demonstrate content that challenges stereotypes, reflects modern Britain, is thought-provoking, and offers a chance for under-represented groups to tell their own stories.

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The second set of awards is dedicated to Change Makers: individuals, channels, or companies who are widening the understanding of diversity and championing culture change across the television industry. on and off screen. The categories include:

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• Production Company of the Year

• Commissioner or Channel of the Year

• Authors/Creatives: e.g. Writer / Director

• Onscreen Talent e.g. Presenter / Actor

• Diversity Champion

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Additionally, CDN will present a special award to one individual who has made an outstanding contribution to promoting diversity in television.

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Deborah Williams, CDN Executive Director, said: "While diversity has become a buzzword in the industry, and we have seen progress on and off screen, there remains much to be done before our programming and the makeup of those creating content truly reflect the diversity of the UK's population." These awards are designed to celebrate the trailblazers and those who have done most to change the way the industry, and ultimately the viewing public, think about diversity.

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Previous winners have included: The Last Leg (Comedy and Entertainment Programme), Letting Go (Factual Programme), David Olusoga (Writer/Director), Siobhan Sinnerton (Special Recognition for commissioning), Liz Warner (Diversity Champion), Zawe Ashton (Breakthrough Talent), and Holby City (Achievement in Production).

Published: 03/03/2017

Channel 4 has unveiled its 360 Diversity Charter Two Years On report, which reviews diversity achievements in 2016 and focuses on four key areas for 2017.

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Read the full 360 Diversity Charter report.

Published: 07/08/2014

The 2014 Creative Diversity Network Awards are now open for entries.

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The ceremony, hosted at the London Studios of the current CDN Chair, ITV, will take place on the 11th. November 2014.

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The Creative Diversity Network Awards promote and celebrate excellence around the diversity agenda on and off screen in British television production.

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There are nine categories in the awards.

Before entering, you must read the entry guidelines and notes on eligibility.

Find out more about each category below and click the links to submit your entries online:

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Best Onscreen Talent

Recognising the importance of onscreen talent in changing and challenging perceptions, this award is seeking nominations for an actor, presenter, performer, newscaster, or any other onscreen talent from any other genre, from an under-represented group, and for their outstanding work on screen.

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Best Writer or Director

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This award aims to acknowledge the importance of original, authored work in shaping programmes. Writers or directors from underrepresented groups are eligible, and the judges will be looking to reward creative excellence.

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Special Recognition for a Production Company

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Due to a lack of entries in this category, we have taken the decision to remove it.

You can still acknowledge the outstanding achievements of production teams or individuals working in production by making your nominations in the Achievement in Production category below.

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Achievement in Production

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This award is for an individual or team who has made a significant impact on improving diversity in any aspect of production, either on screen or off screen. Nominees can be anyone from runners to series producers who have implemented production practices that have had a demonstrable effect on either the make-up of production teams or their output.

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Special Recognition for Commissioning

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This award will recognise a commissioner or commissioning team that has made an impact by addressing diversity through new commissions or commissioning practices, to share their successes with the broader industry. Commissioners and commissioning teams can put themselves forward or can be nominated by others.

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Best News Coverage

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This award celebrates news teams who are making an effort to engage minority groups in relevant content. The award is for either:

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• Network or regional news coverage that has fairly and accurately portrayed a story, aiding public understanding and raising awareness of issues affecting underrepresented groups.

• A network or regional news team that has employed new and non-traditional means for gathering news from underrepresented groups in a news report.

Best Onscreen Representation of Disability

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Recognising that disabled people are underrepresented on screen, and wanting celebration of positive inclusion as an inspirational catalyst for our industry, this award celebrates a programme that has challenged established models and brought a fresh approach to the inclusion of disabled people on and off screen. Programmes of all genres are eligible.

CDN Diversity Champion

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This award will honour an industry leader who has demonstrated a sustained, long-term, and significant commitment to diversity, but who does not necessarily have diversity as their core role.

CDN Groundbreaking Programme Award

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This award will recognise a programme which has broken new ground in terms of:

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• On-screen portrayal of one or more underrepresented groups.

• Has had a real-world impact, addressing issues that affect underrepresented groups.

Published: 16/09/2014

Thanks to all those who have placed nominations for the 2014 CDN Awards. 

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We saw a huge surge in entries that year, and with close to 220 nominations being made across eight categories, the competition is fierce. The panels of judges are reviewing the material submitted to compile their shortlists.

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The award ceremony was held on Tuesday, 11th November 2014.

The categories were:

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 Best  Onscreen Talent

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Recognising the importance of onscreen talent in changing and challenging perceptions, this award is seeking nominations for an actor, presenter, performer, newscaster, or any other onscreen talent from any other genre, from an under-represented group, and for their outstanding work on screen.

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Best Writer or Director

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This award aims to acknowledge the importance of original, authored work in shaping programmes. Writers or directors from underrepresented groups are eligible, and the judges will be looking to reward creative excellence.

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Achievement in Production

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This award is for an individual or team who has made a significant impact on improving diversity in any aspect of production, either on screen or off screen. Nominees can be anyone from runners to series producers who have implemented production practices that have had a demonstrable effect on either the make-up of production teams or their output.

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Special Recognition for Commissioning

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This award will recognise a commissioner or commissioning team that has made an impact by addressing diversity through new commissions or commissioning practices, to share their successes with the broader industry. Commissioners and commissioning teams can put themselves forward or can be nominated by others.

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Best News Coverage

​​

This award celebrates news teams who are making an effort to engage minority groups in relevant content. The award is for either:

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• Network or regional news coverage that has fairly and accurately portrayed a story, aiding public understanding and raising awareness of issues affecting underrepresented groups.

• A network or regional news team that has employed new and non-traditional means for gathering news from underrepresented groups in a news report.

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Best Onscreen Representation of Disability

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Recognising that disabled people are under-represented on screen, and wanting celebration of positive inclusion as an inspirational catalyst for our industry, this award celebrates a programme that has challenged established models and brought a fresh approach to the inclusion of disabled people on and off screen. Programmes of all genres are eligible.

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CDN Diversity Champion

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This award will honour an industry leader who has demonstrated a sustained, long-term, and significant commitment to diversity, but who does not necessarily have diversity as their core role.

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CDN Groundbreaking Programme Award​

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This award will recognise a programme which has broken new ground in terms of:

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• On-screen portrayal of one or more underrepresented groups.

• Has had a real-world impact, addressing issues that affect underrepresented groups.