Report: Equity, diversity and inclusion in TV and radio
Each year Ofcom collects data from TV and radio broadcasters on the make-up of their workforces. These reports set out our findings on how the industry is doing.
2021-22 diversity data report
This report sets out our key findings for the eight broadcasters who provided data for 2021-22 across a range of characteristics – sex, race and ethnic background, disability, sexual orientation, age, religion or belief, and socio-economic background.
Equity, diversity and inclusion in television and radio: 2021-22 (PDF, 835.4 KB)
Tegwch, amrywiaeth a chynhwysiad mewn teledu a radio: 2021-22 (PDF, 949.5 KB)
Previous reports
From 2017 to 2019, we published separate reports on TV and radio.
Diversity and equal opportunities in television and radio: 2021 report (PDF, 2.6 MB)
Amrywiaeth a Chyfle Cyfartal mewn teledu a radio 2021 (PDF, 2.6 MB)
Diversity in Broadcasting: Included report (PDF, 57.8 MB)
Diversity and equal opportunities in television and radio: 2021 methodology (PDF, 445.7 KB)
Interactive data
Employee diversity profiles for the UK radio and TV industries, 2018-2021
Employee diversity profiles for eight major UK broadcasters, 2018-2021
Qualitative responses from broadcasters to questions on diversity and inclusion, 2021
Questionnaires
Diversity in Broadcasting TV Workforce Questionnaire 2021 (PDF, 2.8 MB)
Diversity in Broadcasting Radio Workforce Questionnaire 2021 (PDF, 4.1 MB)
All In: Diversity in Broadcasting 2021
This virtual event looked at the past, present and future of diversity in UK broadcasting. It included discussions, interviews and training sessions, all looking at practical ways to make broadcasting a more diverse and inclusive sector. Throughout the day we heard voices from across TV and radio, from people at the start of their careers to established names.
You can watch the highlights from the event:
Diversity and equal opportunities in television and radio: 2020 report (PDF, 2.5 MB)
Amrywiaeth a Chyfle Cyfartal mewn teledu a radio 2019/20 (PDF, 2.4 MB)
Diversity and equal opportunities in television and radio: 2020 methodology (PDF, 351.8 KB)
Diversity and equal opportunities in television and radio: 2020 full questionnaire (PDF, 2.6 MB)
Interactive data
Employee diversity profiles for the UK radio and TV industries, 2018-2020
Employee diversity profiles for eight major UK broadcasters, 2018-2020
Qualitative responses from broadcasters to questions on diversity and inclusion, 2020
TV
Diversity and equal opportunities in television: 2019 report (PDF, 2.4 MB)
Amrywiaeth a chyfle cyfartal yn y diwydiant teledu 2019 (PDF, 831.3 KB)
Two members of our Diversity Advisory Panel, the film/TV critic and columnist Ellen E Jones, and the actor, writer and producer David Proud, shared insights on diversity and equal opportunities, based on their experiences as professionals working in the television industry.
Ellen E Jones – film/TV critic and columnist
David Proud – actor, writer and producer
In-focus report
Our in-focus report provides detailed analysis across each of the main five and includes a more comprehensive write-up of the initiatives and strategies they have implemented to tackle under-representation. It also provides similar analysis for a further five major broadcasters.
In-focus report on ten major broadcasters (PDF, 1.5 MB)
UK broadcasting industry slide pack
This series of slides gives the profile of UK-based employees working for UK-licenced broadcasters in 2018/19.
UK broadcasting industry slide pack (PDF, 2.2 MB)
Ofcom's first report on the diversity of freelancers in the television industry
Our diversity of freelancers report draws together the available diversity data on freelancers working in UK television. It also includes reflections from freelancers on how initiatives aimed at improving diversity have impacted their careers.
Diversity in UK television: freelancers (PDF, 1.4 MB)
Methodology
This section outlines the methodology used in carrying out the data collection. All elements of the survey including questionnaire design, fieldwork and analysis were conducted in-house by Ofcom’s market research team.
Radio
Diversity and equal opportunities in radio: 2019 report (PDF, 13.8 MB)
Supporting documents
Crynodeb: amrywiaeth a chyfleoedd cyfartal yn radio (PDF, 5.2 MB)
Diversity and equal opportunities in radio – Wider industry report (PDF, 355.4 KB)
Diversity and equal opportunities in radio – Methodology (PDF, 366.7 KB)
Diversity and equal opportunities in radio – Survey questionnaire (PDF, 2.9 MB)
TV
Diversity and equal opportunities in television 2018 report (PDF, 4.8 MB)
Amrywiaeth a chyfle cyfartal yn y diwydiant teledu 2018 (PDF, 1.4 MB)
In-focus report on the main five broadcasters (PDF, 1.2 MB)
We asked senior leaders at the main five broadcasters why diversity is important across the TV industry.
Tony Hall, Director General, BBC
Alex Mahon, CEO, Channel 4
Carolyn McCall, CEO, ITV
Stephen van Rooyen, CEO, Sky UK and Ireland
James Currell, Executive Vice President and Managing Director, Viacom UK
UK broadcasting industry report
This report looks at the profile of UK and international based employees working for UK licensed broadcasters in 2017/18.
UK broadcasting industry report (PDF, 1.9 MB)
Methodology
This section outlines the methodology used in carrying out the data collection. All elements of the survey including questionnaire design, fieldwork and analysis were conducted in-house by Ofcom’s market research team.
Radio
Diversity and equal opportunities in radio 2018 (PDF, 1.5 MB)
Diversity and equal opportunities in radio – Methodology (PDF, 4.2 MB)
TV
Diversity and equal opportunities in television 2017 report (PDF, 2.2 MB)
Total industry report
This document looks at the profile of broadcasters across the total UK television industry in 2016. We required broadcasters to complete an information request by questionnaire.
Total television industry (PDF, 2.7 MB)
UK-based broadcasters report
This document provides more in-depth analysis across the UK-based television broadcasters who had 98% or more of their employees based in the UK in 2016. We required all television broadcasters with an Ofcom licence, the BBC and S4C to complete a questionnaire providing us with data on the make-up of their workforce across the three protected characteristics where we have powers to do so: gender, racial group, and disability. In addition, we requested data on other protected characteristics in the Equality Act 2010: age, sexual orientation, religion or belief, pregnancy and maternity, and gender reassignment.
UK-based television industry (PDF, 2.9 MB)
Y diwydiant teledu yn y DU (PDF, 1.2 MB)
Methodology
This section outlines the methodology used in carrying out the data collection. All elements of the survey including questionnaire design, fieldwork and analysis were conducted in-house by Ofcom’s market research team.
Steps taken by broadcasters to promote equal opportunities
This document summarises some of the key findings from the television broadcasters’ arrangements for promoting equal opportunities. It does not seek to cover all the information that broadcasters provided to us, and they may have more measures in place than they have shared with Ofcom, but instead focuses on the types of initiatives in place and examples of their use.