BECTU welcomes ITV’s plans to make comedy writers’ rooms more diverse

The channel’s head of comedy Saskia Schuster is launching a new initiative called Comedy 50:50, which aims to make comedy writers’ rooms more diverse.

Responding to the news that ITV will no longer commission comedy shows with all-male writers’ rooms, Head of BECTU Philippa Childs said:

“BECTU welomes ITV’s annoucement to improve gender balance in comedy writing rooms.”

“Comedy and storytelling can only be enriched by embracing diverse voices. Making room at the writers table for women, BAME, LGBT+ and disabled voices can only benefit the industry in growing audiences. We’ve seen how Netflix has done this and we are pleased ITV is showing leadership by highlighting this move to improve representation in comedy.”

ENDS

For more information please email Katy Davies on [email protected] or call 07535135663.