Latest Report Examines PBS’s Success in Continuing to Support and Amplify Diverse Voices Across the System
ARLINGTON, VA; February 27, 2023 – Today, PBS released its annual Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion report for Fiscal Year 2022. The report highlights the progress PBS made to enhance inclusive, equitable and diverse representation throughout the public media system. The public report, established last year as part of a commitment to accountability and transparency, provides insights into the effectives of the ongoing work to feature diverse stories, stories, and experiences across categories of race, ethnicity, religion, age, gender, sexual orientation, disability, geographic region, and socioeconomic status.
Key findings from the FY 2022 report include:
Representation in front of and behind the camera
- Across primetime documentary programming in FY 2022, 58% of PBS’s content featured BIPOC talent, was produced by BIPOC makers, or explored diversity-related topics.
- 28% of primetime documentary content for PBS national distribution was created by BIPOC makers in executive producer, producer, director or writer roles.
- PBS Digital Studios released 25 series, in which:
- 68% of PBSDS series covered topics of a diverse nature
- 73% of PBSDS series featured BIPOC talent
- 68% of PBSDS series were produced by BIPOC creators
- PBS KIDS refreshed its logo in FY 2022 to make it more inclusive and welcoming. All PBS KIDS series feature characters of diverse backgrounds, abilities, and experiences to ensure every child sees themselves in its content.
People & Culture
- BIPOC employees comprised 48% of new hires and 35% of promotions in FY 2022.
- Women remain well represented at PBS, accounting for 75% of new hires and 64% of promotions.
Leadership & Governance
- In FY 2022, 43% of PBS’s Senior Leadership were women and people of color made up 29% of the leadership team.
- As of June 30, 2022, the 27-member PBS Board included 13 women and 10 people of color.
To view the report in its entirety, please visit: https://www.pbs.org/about/about-pbs/inclusion/
About PBS
PBS, with more than 330 member stations, offers all Americans the opportunity to explore new ideas and new worlds through television and digital content. Each month, PBS reaches over 120 million people through television and 26 million people online, inviting them to experience the worlds of science, history, nature and public affairs; to hear diverse viewpoints; and to take front row seats to world-class drama and performances. PBS’s broad array of programs has been consistently honored by the industry’s most coveted award competitions. Teachers of children from pre-K through 12th grade turn to PBS for digital content and services that help bring classroom lessons to life. Decades of research confirms that PBS’s premier children’s media service, PBS KIDS, helps children build critical literacy, math and social-emotional skills, enabling them to find success in school and life. Delivered through member stations, PBS KIDS offers high-quality educational content on TV – including a 24/7 channel, online at pbskids.org, via an array of mobile apps and in communities across America. More information about PBS is available at www.pbs.org, one of the leading dot-org websites on the internet, or by following PBS on Twitter, Facebook or through our apps for mobile and connected devices. Specific program information and updates for press are available at pbs.org/pressroom or by following PBS Communications on Twitter.
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