LOS ANGELES – The Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD), has released its sixth annual Network Responsibility Index (NRI), a report that maps the quantity, quality and diversity of images of LGBT people on television. Primetime programming on the five broadcast networks was evaluated as well as original primetime programming on 10 major cable networks.
The report found that the number of LGBT images has stabilized this year as the range of impressions continues to grow. Images of LGBT representations and families are increasingly presented as matter-of-fact manner rather than a curiosity. With 69 percent of LGBT impressions on broadcast networks made by gay men and 66 percent of LGBT-inclusive broadcast hours showcasing white people, the NRI also calls for networks to highlight the great ethnic and cultural diversity of the LGBT community.
For the first time this year GLAAD tracked two highly rated networks known for programming that traditionally appeals to a more conservative audience. History posted the lowest overall percentage (3 percent) of LGBT inclusive hours of any networks tracked this year. TLC demonstrated that LGBT people can be represented in a wider range of programming formats and subjects with 20 percent of the 545.5 hours tracked by GLAAD including at least one LGBT impression.
“Americans expect to see their off-screen worlds represented onscreen and today more than ever that includes LGBT people and families,” said GLAAD President Herndon Graddick. “Storylines of families like Mitchell and Cameron on Modern Family and young people like Emily on Pretty Little Liars are not only growing acceptance of our community, but have found praise from viewers and critics alike at a time when visibility and acceptance of LGBT people is at an all-time high.”
Broadcast networks:
The CW remains the top broadcast network with 29 percent of its primetime programming hours being LGBT-inclusive. The CW also registered the most racial diversity with 62 percent of impressions made by LGBT people/characters of color.
ABC improved enough (+4 percent) and Fox declined enough (-5 percent) for the two to swap places for second and third place in percentage of inclusive hours compared to last year. NBC remained in fourth place despite an increase of 4 percent in LGBT inclusive hours.
For the fourth year in a row CBS remained in last place with 8 percent LGBT-inclusive hours of primetime programming, dropping 2 percentage points from last year. After receiving an “Adequate” score last year, the network is back to a “Failing” score.
Cable networks:
Showtime (46 percent), ABC Family (34 percent), TNT (34 percent), and HBO (33 percent) all received “Good” ratings for the quantity and quality of their LGBT-inclusive original programming.
MTV (23 percent) which received an “Excellent” score two years ago received an “Adequate” score this year along with FX (34 percent), TLC (20 percent) and USA (17 percent).
For the fourth year in a row TBS (5 percent) received a “Failing” rating, as did the History network (3 percent). v
