GLAAD this week released it annual analysis of the new U.S. television season, and it’s a little bit of the glass half full/half empty scenario.
LGBT characters in network broadcasts are down; however, cable continues to increase representation of our community in its scripted entertainment programming.
GLAAD reports that broadcast TV has seven LGBT series regular characters, down from nine last year and 10 in 2005. From information provided by the five broadcast networks — ABC, CBS, NBC, FOX and The CW — GLAAD examined 87 scripted comedies and dramas announced to air this upcoming season, and counted a total of 650 characters.
The seven LGBT regular characters appear on five scripted programs: Brothers & Sisters, Desperate Housewives, Ugly Betty, The Office and the mid-season series Cashmere Mafia. Six of these seven characters are on ABC, with one on NBC and no lead or supporting LGBT characters scheduled to appear on CBS, FOX or The CW.
On cable, there are more channels in the pool but still a vast difference in which 40 regular LGBT characters are featured on 21 scripted shows which represents 15 more characters than last year, according to GLAAD.
The annual report is an interesting read. You can see the full results of GLAAD’s "Where We Are On TV" diversity survey here.
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