Charting Our Future

NBCUniversal has long been a leader in offering programs that aim to develop diverse talent, and under Comcast’s leadership, the company has added even more signature programs. A sample of the company’s recent and long-standing initiatives includes the following:

Late-Night Writers Workshop

(2013) This program is designed for up-and-coming sketch and comedy writers to learn about NBCUniversal’s late-night lineup, gain insight into the dynamics of a late-night writers’ room, and provide insights on securing a staff writer position.

The Lincoln Center Theater Commissioning Program

(2012) NBCUniversal and the Lincoln Center Theater have partnered to create a three- year Commissioning Program to foster new written work from diverse artists working in theater. NBCUniversal’s support of the Commissioning Program forges an important connection between NBCUniversal’s creative leaders and the rising generation of theater artists who represent and draw from a diverse range of cultural backgrounds and identities.

Writers Assistant Program

(2012) The Writers Assistant Program funds a position for up to three network shows, with the goal of providing a potential next step for Writers on the Verge alum, as well as other writers with similar early-career experience. 

The Reporter Training Program

(2011) This one- year program is aimed at developing talented young on-air journalists from diverse backgrounds. Participants, who are selected annually, must hold a bachelor’s degree in Journalism, Communications, or a related field and have a minimum of one to two years of experience in the newsroom or on-air reporting television news.

The Casting Apprentice Program

(2011) NBC Universal Casting Apprentice Program is a career-development opportunity for individuals pursuing a career in casting. Through rotational assignments, Apprentices gain experience working in both a Network and a Freelance Casting Office and assist casting executives or directors with the day-to-day management of casting activities for a television or film production.

Sundance Institute Native American and Indigenous Program

(2010) Through this year- round program, NBCUniversal deepens its commitment to support Native American and Indigenous artists and talent. This program allows NBCUniversal to build relationships within the Native and Indigenous communities and raise awareness of the artistic opportunities available at NBC through its various diversity initiatives and programs, while creating a pipeline for Native actors, writers, and directors. The program attracts approximately 50 participants each year.

Director Fellowship Program

(2009) This program identifies well-established directors from the world of music video, commercials, and theater and offers them a chance to shadow directors of episodic television and learn the craft. In the last two years, three program graduates obtained their first episodic directing assignments on Parenthood, Grimm, and Community.

Peoples Improv Theatre Diversity Scholarship

(2008) This program offers two full-ride scholarships to up-and-coming students of diverse backgrounds with a strong desire to study improvisation. Winners are selected based on recommendations and guidance from NBC executives.

The NBC News Leadership Program

(2008) This program targets diverse mid-career news producers with Executive Producer potential. This 16-month mentoring and development program includes a curriculum tailored to prepare participants for Executive Producer roles, as well as mentorship by an NBC News executive. NBC News employees (typically at the producer level) with a strong performance track record are eligible to participate. Senior leadership nominates prospective participants based on their performance, and the interview process is designed to vet candidates for leadership readiness. With the formation of the NBC News Group in 2012, the program was expanded to include CNBC. Approximately eight to ten producers participate annually.

The News Summer Fellowship Program

(2007) Each summer, NBC sponsors paid internships for nominees from the National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ), National Association of Hispanic Journalists (NAHJ), and Asian American Journalists Association (AAJA). Participants are college sophomores or above who are members of NABJ, NAHJ, or AAJA. These organizations select the participants. 

Short Cuts Film Festival

(2006) The Short Cuts Film Festival is the only company-sponsored film festival in the industry. Actors are awarded year-long holding deals, and the best director gets to direct an episode of a Chiller series and becomes a finalist in the Director Fellowship Program.

Writers on the Verge

(2005) This program focuses on grooming diverse writers not just for NBCUniversal, but also for the entire television industry. The program helps writers develop material and ready themselves for the interview process. It also provides them with mentors and helps them obtain agency representation. More than 50% of Writers on the Verge alumni are currently staffed on television shows across the industry landscape. Alumni write for NBC shows such as The Blacklist, Dracula, Chicago Fire, and Chicago P.D. An alum also writes for the Universal Television program Brooklyn Nine Nine and for two USA Network series, Burn Notice and Suits.

NBC’s Scene Showcase

(2005) This initiative showcases scenes by diverse writers, casts up-and-coming actors, and is guided by directors of diverse backgrounds in a live theatrical setting. The program helped to launch the careers of Danny Pudi (Community), and Nicholas Strong (Under the Dome), among others.

Stand-Up NBC

(2004) This program comprises a nationwide search for stand-up comedians, and alumni include such talented artists as W. Kamau Bell, Brandon T. Jackson, and Deon Cole. 

Diverse Staff Writer Initiative

(2000) This initiative gives writers from diverse backgrounds an entrée into the writers’ room. The program encompasses NBC’s late-night programs, in addition to primetime scripted programs from NBC, USA, and Syfy. Participants are selected and hired by the showrunners/producers of each show, with the guidance of the network and studios. Within the past 13 years, the program has launched the careers of many talented writers, including Mindy Kaling (The Office, The Mindy Project) and Donald Glover (writer on 30 Rock and talent on Community). 

NBC News Associates Program

(1996) The News Associates program is dedicated to identifying outstanding aspiring journalists. In 2011, this program was extended to the newsrooms of the NBC Owned Television Stations and CNBC. In keeping with NBCUniversal’s strong commitment to develop a diverse editorial staff across our NBC News assets, the News Associates program is designed to attract candidates of diverse racial, ethnic, economic, and geographical backgrounds, as well as candidates with disabilities.