Hollywood Faces Diversity Backslide as Streaming Services Retreat from Inclusion Initiatives
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A new UCLA study reveals a concerning trend: cultural diversity in popular streaming dramas and comedies has sharply declined since last year, signaling a potential setback for inclusion in the television industry. The latest Hollywood Diversity Report, released Tuesday, examined the top 250 series on streaming platforms and found that opportunities for people of color and women are becoming increasingly limited, both on and off screen.
White Representation Dominates Lead Roles and Creative Positions
The study paints a stark picture of representation. Nearly four-fifths of lead characters in the most popular streaming comedies and dramas are white, with other racial and ethnic groups significantly underrepresented. This imbalance extends to creative roles, with white men now occupying almost 4 out of 5 lead positions and increasing their overall percentage of show creators. Among 222 scripted series analyzed, only 49 were created by women. Creators of color face near-total exclusion from both established and new scripted projects.
A Reversal of Post-George Floyd Momentum
This downturn represents a significant reversal from the period following the 2020 murder of George Floyd. In the aftermath, streaming services, alongside traditional broadcast and cable networks, began prioritizing projects that showcased people of color, particularly Black individuals. Studios and networks also made public commitments to establish programs and initiatives aimed at increasing diversity.
However, these efforts have largely been abandoned. According to the report, the shift coincides with recent election results and a broader political climate marked by attacks on diversity, inclusion, and equity programs. Major studios, including Walt Disney Co., Amazon, Paramount, and Warner Bros., have dismantled long-standing initiatives designed to promote diversity.
The Cost of Abandoning Diversity
“Unfortunately, this wasn’t unexpected, especially with the election results in 2024,” stated Darnell Hunt, executive vice chancellor and provost at UCLA and co-founder of the study. “When you shut the door on diversity, you shut out opportunities for more perspectives, collaboration, exploration and growth. Without vigilance and pressure, the industry will continue to invest less and less in these creators and stories to the detriment of their bottom line.”
Stories with Diverse Representation Still Resonate with Audiences
Despite the overall decline in diversity, the research indicates that shows featuring underrepresented stories continue to perform well with audiences. Projects centered around nonwhite cultures, as well as LGBTQ+, disabled groups, and women, often achieve higher median ratings than those that do not – a trend consistent with 2023 findings. The share of shows featuring these stories, regardless of the lead’s gender, has actually increased in 2024.
Report co-author Nico Garcia highlighted HBO’s “The Penguin” as an example, noting its focus on female characters like Sofia Falcone (Cristin Milioti) and Francis Cobb (Deirdre O’Connell). “Even as diversity drops overall, we find that the stories are still there,” Garcia, a doctoral candidate in cinema and media studies, explained. “When there are good and relatable stories, people watch regardless of who plays the lead.”
Warner Bros. Acquisition Adds to Uncertainty
The ongoing bidding war for Warner Bros. Studios, involving Netflix, Paramount, and others, further complicates the future of diversity and inclusion in Hollywood. Industry groups, unions, and antitrust experts warn that a massive merger could stifle creative competition. The Writers Guild of America’s east and west chapters jointly stated that “the world’s largest streaming company swallowing one of its biggest competitors is what antitrust laws were designed to prevent,” adding that the outcome would likely “eliminate jobs, push down wages, worsen conditions for all entertainment workers.”
The report underscores a troubling shift in the entertainment industry, suggesting that progress toward greater inclusion is not guaranteed and requires sustained effort and advocacy.
