A recent UCLA study delivers a stark warning: cultural diversity in popular scripted streaming series is in steep decline, both behind and in front of the camera. This urgent report reveals a concerning reversal for Hollywood’s inclusion efforts, with white creators overwhelmingly dominating the industry. The findings underscore a critical challenge for entertainment, impacting on-screen representation and the breadth of stories reaching global audiences.
The Alarming Decline in Representation
The 2024 UCLA Hollywood Diversity Report paints a clear picture of dwindling representation. Analyzing the top 250 most-viewed scripted streaming series, the study found that over 91.7% were created by white individuals. White men alone accounted for a staggering 79% of all show creators, figures that have unfortunately increased since the previous year. This significant imbalance highlights a growing lack of diverse voices shaping the narratives we consume.
On-screen talent also saw a marked decline. White actors were cast in 80% of all roles across the surveyed series. The underrepresentation extends significantly to women and people of color. Only 49 out of 222 scripted series had women creators. Furthermore, creators of color made up a mere 8.3% of all creators and co-creators for these top-performing shows. Women in lead roles fell to 34.3% in 2024, down from 39% previously, with women of color securing only 8.3% of these prominent roles. Even representation for people with disabilities remains low, with just 14.4% of shows featuring a lead actor with a known disability. These statistics cover both current and library titles across major streaming services, ranked by Nielsen total minutes viewed.
A Sharp Reversal: The Erosion of DEI Initiatives
This downturn marks a sharp reversal from the strides made in the aftermath of the 2020 Black Lives Matter protests. Following those events, many streaming companies, along with broadcast and cable networks, launched programs to boost diversity or invested heavily in projects showcasing people of color, especially Black creators. However, these vital efforts have largely been abandoned.
The report links this abandonment to the political landscape, specifically Donald Trump’s re-election and his administration’s legal challenges against diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs. Major industry players like Disney, Amazon, Paramount, and Warner Bros. are among those that have discontinued long-standing DEI initiatives in the past year. Darnell Hunt, UCLA’s executive vice-chancellor and provost, and a co-founder of the study, expressed dismay. He noted, “Unfortunately, this wasn’t unexpected, especially with the election results in 2024. When you shut the door on diversity, you shut out opportunities for more perspectives, collaboration, exploration and growth.”
The Unseen Demand: Audiences Crave Diverse Stories
Despite the decline in creator and on-screen diversity, a surprising finding emerged: the prevalence of underrepresented storylines actually increased in 2024. These narratives proved popular regardless of the lead actor’s gender. Shows like Apple’s Ted Lasso and HBO’s The Penguin, while featuring male leads, significantly developed “rich secondary storylines” for female characters. Co-author Nico Garcia observed, “When there are good and relatable stories, people watch regardless of who plays the lead.”
This insight is critical for the industry. Women and people of color are “overrepresented as viewers” for the majority of top 10 streaming shows, indicating they actively drive viewership for new programming. Audiences are no longer solely “bingeing nostalgic favorites.” Instead, they are gravitating towards fresh content and underrepresented narratives. Shows that feature underrepresented stories, particularly those centered on women, garner significantly higher engagement on social media. Examples like HBO’s House of the Dragon and Netflix’s Bridgerton saw median total social media interactions more than five times higher than shows without such themes. Michael Tran, a sociologist and co-author, emphasized this powerful connection. Ana-Christina Ramón, also a co-founder, added that Hollywood “loses out on becoming a part of conversations online if it only relies on outdated storylines.” Investing in creatives from underrepresented communities, she asserts, can inspire original, relatable stories that audiences genuinely desire.
Industry Turmoil: Mergers and Creative Competition
The future of diversity efforts in Hollywood faces additional challenges from significant industry upheavals. The contentious bidding war over Warner Bros Discovery (WBD) assets, involving giants like Netflix and Paramount, casts a long shadow. Industry groups, trade unions, and anti-trust experts voice strong concerns that a merger between any two major players could stifle creative competition. The Writers Guild of America’s east and west units explicitly warned that such a deal would “eliminate jobs, push down wages, worsen conditions for all entertainment workers.” They believe this is precisely what anti-trust laws were designed to prevent.
Adding another layer of complexity, Jared Kushner’s private equity firm, Affinity Partners, initially involved in backing a hostile takeover bid for WBD, withdrew its support. This high-stakes corporate maneuvering, set against a politically charged backdrop, highlights how business interests can overshadow and ultimately impact the focus on streaming diversity and broader inclusion goals within the entertainment sector.
The Bottom Line: Why Diversity is Essential for Business
The findings from the UCLA report send a clear message: overlooking diversity is not just a social issue, but a critical business misstep. As Darnell Hunt articulated, “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.” The data confirms that diverse audiences are actively seeking out and engaging with a wider range of stories. When Hollywood fails to invest in diverse creators, it misses opportunities for innovation, unique perspectives, and powerful storytelling that resonates deeply with viewers.
Embracing diversity translates directly into higher social media engagement, increased viewership, and ultimately, greater profitability. By focusing on tired tropes and limited perspectives, the industry risks alienating a significant and growing portion of its audience. The path to sustained success in the rapidly evolving streaming landscape lies in actively championing diverse voices and investing in the rich, original stories they have to tell.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the key findings of the latest UCLA Hollywood Diversity Report for streaming content?
The 2024 UCLA Hollywood Diversity Report reveals a significant decline in representation across streaming content. It found that over 91.7% of top scripted series were created by white individuals, with white men making up 79% of all show creators. On-screen, white actors filled 80% of roles. Creators of color represented only 8.3%, and women creators were involved in just 49 out of 222 surveyed series. This marks a sharp reversal from previous diversity gains.
How have Hollywood studios responded to the decline in diversity, particularly regarding DEI initiatives?
Hollywood studios have largely abandoned diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs that gained traction after 2020. This shift is linked to political changes, including Donald Trump’s re-election and his administration’s legal challenges to DEI. Major companies like Disney, Amazon, Paramount, and Warner Bros. have discontinued long-standing initiatives. This demonstrates a retreat from commitments to enhance streaming diversity and inclusion.
Does a lack of diversity in streaming shows impact audience engagement and the industry’s profitability?
Yes, a lack of diversity significantly impacts audience engagement and profitability. The UCLA study found that audiences, particularly women and people of color, actively seek and drive viewership for diverse storylines. Shows featuring underrepresented stories generated over five times more social media engagement. By neglecting diverse creators and narratives, the industry misses out on critical audience connections, innovative content, and ultimately, a stronger financial bottom line.
