Independent TV producers who fail to make progress on diversity could struggle to get their programmes commissioned by the BBC under new guidelines released by the corporation.

The guidelines ask producers to follow detailed proposals to improve representation of ethnic minorities, the disabled and LGBT people both on screen and behind the camera.

Those making programmes for the broadcaster have also been asked to eliminate unpaid internships and offer paid training to people from a more diverse range of backgrounds.

Though the guidelines do not specify penalties for failure to meet them, they say that conversations about diversity will be held with commissioners before a programme is green-lit and that progress towards following them will affect commissioning decisions.

The guidelines say: “We now expect each commission to be doing everything it can to meet these guidelines. The positive steps you plan to take to address under-representation will be factored into commissioning discussions ahead of productions being green-lit.”

In April the BBC committed itself to hitting a broad range of diversity targets by 2020. As well as ensuring half its roles are occupied by women, it is aiming to ensure that 15% of staff and leadership come from black, Asian and minority ethnic (BAME) backgrounds, that disabled people make up 8% and lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender (LGBT) people also 8%.

The corporation also says it is “deeply committed” to improving socio-economic diversity, but has not set targets.

In a foreword to the guidelines, BBC director of content Charlotte Moore writes: “The BBC’s future depends on remaining relevant to all our licence fee payers and reflecting modern Britain in an authentic way. Audiences will stay tuned in if they feel their lives and aspirations are being reflected, both now and in the future.”

Ofcom boss Sharon White, who from next year will take on regulatory responsibility for the BBC, recently said the corporation was falling short on diversity, and has previously warned that the regulator could step in if broadcasters do not do enough to reflect the makeup of the UK.



She told the Financial Times: “I would expect the BBC to be more distinctive, to have high-quality programming and to be investing in great drama, great news production and stories that really reflect the country with all its diverse makeup.”

“All the research we have done broadly shows that people think the BBC is doing a good job. But it is falling short on those stories that reflect all of the nation and its communities.”