CBS Outlines Commitment for More Off-Screen Diversity

CBS has pledged to allocate a minimum of 25 percent of its future script development budgets to projects created or co-created by Black, Indigenous and People of Color (BIPOC), as part of a broad initiative for its programming to more accurately reflect diversity both in front of and behind the camera.

Additionally, the network has announced a target for its writers’ rooms to be staffed with a minimum of 40 percent BIPOC representation beginning with the 2021-22 broadcast television season. The goal is to increase that number to 50 percent the following season (2022-23). CBS has already committed to additional BIPOC writers on select series for the upcoming 2020-21 broadcast season.

“While steady progress has been made in recent years both in front of and behind the camera, change needs to happen faster, especially with creators and leadership roles on the shows,” said George Cheeks, president and CEO for the CBS Entertainment Group. “As a network with ambitions to be a unifier and an agent of change at this important time, these new initiatives will help accelerate efforts to broaden our storytelling and make CBS programming even more diverse and inclusive.”