CBS promises 50% diverse casting for upcoming reality shows
CBS has doubled down on its promise for diversity on and off camera, expanding the vow to reality shows as well.
All unscripted shows, beginning with the 2021-22 season will feature casts with at least 50% of the contestants being Black, indigenous and people of color (BIPOC), the network announced Monday.
That includes shows like “Amazing Race,” “Big Brother," “Love Island” and “Survivor.”
At least a quarter of the budget will also go to non-white creators and producers.
“The reality TV genre is an area that’s especially underrepresented, and needs to be more inclusive across development, casting, production and all phases of storytelling,” George Cheeks, president and chief executive officer for the CBS Entertainment Group, said in a statement.
“As we strive to improve all of these creative aspects, the commitments announced today are important first steps in sourcing new voices to create content and further expanding the diversity in our unscripted programming, as well as on our network.”
Over the summer, CBS announced behind-the-scenes requirements that 25% of its script development budget go to projects from BIPOC creators, writers and producers.
Writers rooms must also be staffed by 40% non-white employees during the 2021-22 season, then 50% for the 2022-23 season.
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