“The 2025 Hollywood Diversity Report Presents: Streaming Television in 2023,” released by UCLA’s Entertainment and Media Research Initiative, provides a comprehensive analysis of diversity within the streaming television landscape.
As streaming solidified its dominance in 2023, the report sheds light on both advancements and persistent challenges in Black representation. In 2023, Black actors accounted for 16% of lead roles in streaming television, aligning with their proportion of the U.S. population.
However, this statistic reflects a stagnation rather than progress in recent years. Dr. Ana-Christina Ramón, co-author of the report, said the plateau was due to industry contraction and fewer new television productions.
Ramon explained, “The first thing that happens is that diversity gets sacrificed. Unfortunately, with the industry contracting, we’re probably going to continue to see fewer television shows with Black leads.”
The report also highlighted a significant underrepresentation of Black creatives behind the scenes. Only 2.2% of streaming show creators were Black, a disparity that limited the authenticity and breadth of storytelling.
Ramón noted, “The overwhelming majority of the shows you watch have almost all white male show creators.” She added, “You could have Black representation in terms of what you see visually with the actors, but if the stories aren’t authentically written by people who have lived those experiences, then you’re not getting the full story.”
Despite these challenges, certain series have made notable strides in representation. Netflix’s “Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story,” featuring a multiracial Black lead, ranked among the top 10 most-watched streaming shows in 2023.
Ramón attributed its success to Shonda Rhimes’ involvement as the show creator. She stated, “Shonda Rhimes being more closely involved as the show creator really helped elevate the series.”
Another notable example cited in the report was Netflix’s “The Upshaws,” which centers on a working-class Black family navigating life’s challenges with humor and resilience.
“The Upshaws” features a predominantly Black cast, including Mike Epps, Kim Fields, and Wanda Sykes, and consistently ranks among the platform’s most-watched comedies.
The report highlighted that shows like “The Upshaws” demonstrate the value of investing in diverse narratives that reflect the everyday experiences of Black families.
However, older “comfort” shows lacking diversity continued to dominate streaming viewership in 2023. Series like “Friends” and “NCIS,” which feature predominantly white casts, remained extremely popular.
Ramón observed, “If people are watching streaming shows just for comfort, they’re often going to older shows that are less diverse in terms of who you see on screen.” This reliance on legacy content underscored the industry’s challenges in producing new, inclusive narratives.
The report also detailed the economic implications of diversity. It noted that films with casts that were at least 21% minority enjoyed the highest online viewing ratings among all racial groups in the 18–49 age demographic.
This finding supported the idea that diverse casting not only reflects society but also enhances audience engagement and financial success.
To address these disparities, the report called for systemic changes within the industry. Ramón advocated for increased investment in diverse talent at all levels, particularly in executive positions with decision-making power.
Ramon said, “The only way to make it lasting is to really invest in recruiting and keeping talent behind the scenes.” She added that providing resources and support for diverse executives was essential to creating authentic content.
Ramón also emphasized the importance of marketing Black-led series to ensure they reach their intended audiences. She said, “Many Black-led shows don’t receive the same level of marketing and promotion as other flagship series, which limits their reach and impact.”
Without equitable promotion, even high-quality content often struggles to find an audience.
The 2025 Hollywood Diversity Report Presents: Streaming Television in 2023 report highlighted both the progress made and the challenges that remain in achieving equitable representation in streaming television.
While successes like “Queen Charlotte” and “The Upshaws” illustrate the potential of inclusive storytelling, the stagnation in Black representation underscores the need for sustained efforts.
Ramón concluded, “If Hollywood continues along the road, it’s on now, things will stay the same or get worse. Diversity must be treated as a priority, not a trend.”
