ITV is joining forces with leading companies in the North West for a major recruitment drive aimed at building the pool of diverse tech and data talent in the region.
The broadcasting giant already has more than 650 tech, data and product roles; in the past two years the number of data roles at ITV has doubled, with the recent recruitment also increasing female diversity to 52% and Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic diversity to 33%, across all levels.
Meanwhile, tech and product roles have increased by 50% during the same period, as the firm staffs up to support the roll out of its streaming service later this year.
Dubbed ITVX, the scheme is claimed to be the UK’s first integrated advertising and subscription-funded platform and offers viewers thousands of hours of content for free in an advertising-funded tier, or an ad-free subscription service.
The free service, which will include advertising, will offer viewers new programme exclusives, ranging from premium ITV dramas, documentaries, US series, comedy and reality shows to blockbuster films. Scheduled to launch in Q4 2022, ITVX will have around 15,000 hours of content, compared to ITV Hub’s 4,000 hours.
ITV chief executive Carolyn McCall has insisted the platform will “supercharge” the broadcaster’s streaming business and inspire a digital-first culture, enabling it to optimise channels and ensure the largest possible audiences.
ITV spends more out of London than any other commercial broadcaster; around 43% of ITV’s staff are based in 34 hubs outside of London, with hundreds based at MediaCityUK in Salford, Manchester.
To drive this forward the broadcaster has joined a coalition of leading businesses operating in the North West, including ANS, GCHQ, Microsoft, PwC, and Talk Talk; the partners will invite 16- to 18-year-olds into their offices to explore what a job in technology has to offer.
Students are not required to have a background in technology, instead they will enjoy sessions with business leaders showcasing career opportunities in the field.
ITV group chief information officer Mark Smith said: “It’s really important to allow young people to see the variety of roles on offer in technology and data, as we foster the next generation of talent.
“At ITV, we believe talking about digital should be easy and a part of everyday conversation. We want digital to be something that everyone at ITV is involved in.”
Related stories
ITV gets in early as InfoSum launches new data platform
ITV unveils ‘game changing’ streaming service ITVX
ITV signs data deal for Planet V addressable TV platform
ITV bolsters data-driven TV ads with Planet V platform
Channel 4 signs up Trade Desk for data-driven TV boom
Data-driven TV boost as C4 signs deal with Sky AdSmart
