Prime Video, Hillary Clinton’s HiddenLight Productions and Gordon Ramsay’s Studio Ramsay are among the 67 networks and production companies to commit to having half of their UK factual shows directed by women.
Campaign group We Are Doc Women has spent the past 12 months urging broadcasters, SVoDs and indies to sign up to its 50/50 pledge and Prime Video has become the first streamer, with other high-profile signees including HiddenLight, Studio Ramsay, Lenny Henry’s Douglas Road Productions, Louis Theroux’s Mindhouse Productions and BBC Studios.
Although the majority of these companies are production companies, Channel 4 and BBC signed up months ago and each has committed to sharing their data with We Are Doc Women annually.
This news comes exactly one year after a shocking report revealed the deep gender gap in UK factual programming. It also marks six months since BAFTA TV Craft Director nominees for director showed only one woman among 12 nominated candidates, which caused outrage within the sector.
BAFTA changed the rules of its 2023 Craft Director Categories last week so that the top three male directors and the top female directors will automatically be considered for jury consideration.
We Are Doc Women has been a tireless leader in the cause and a spokesperson said that the group has been “overwhelmed with the positive reaction the pledge has received from the industry.”
“We’re not interested in shaming companies that are not at 50/50 yet,”She continued. “We want to celebrate those who are focused on looking at their numbers and we will support them in redressing any imbalance. When we have transparent data, the whole industry can move in the right direction.”
We Are Doc Women stated that conversations are ongoing with broadcasters, streamers, and indies.