Multicultural TV on the BBC

To rival Channel 4, the BBC established its own multicultural units. We revisit their output.

  • Total running time 100min

Ebony

BBC 1983. Series Producer Keith Sheather. 30min. Digital

Asian Magazine

BBC 1982. Producer Ashok Rampal. 30min. Digital. With English subtitles

Network East

BBC 1987. Director Waseem Mahmood. 40min. Digital

In response to Channel 4’s initiation of Black programming, the BBC started its own multicultural departments, setting up a production unit for African-Caribbean shows in 1982 and subsequently launching Ebony. The BBC’s Asian output also changed as Asian Magazine was modernised and became Network East. In these examples of the series’ programming, Ebony follows young photographer Vanley Burke, while Network East tells the story of a family forced to take shelter in a temple to avoid deportation.