2021 Being Seen on Screen | A study by Nielsen Media
On the path to creating a more inclusive media industry, our foundation partner Nielsen Media’s 2021 Being Seen on Screen report, is a meaningful milestone in measuring representation on TV. Nielsen’s goal is to drive greater on-screen inclusion of underrepresented groups and provide guidance to publishers and advertisers seeking to invest in more inclusive content.
Audiences expect the stories they see and hear across media to reflect their diverse voices and experiences. Nielsen data for the 2020-2021 TV season shows that among the top 1,500 programs in the U.S. (across broadcast, cable, and streaming), 78% have some presence of racial, ethnic, gender, or sexual orientation diversity. Just because a group is represented on screen doesn’t mean that group is being represented accurately or authentically. With 42.2% of the U.S. population racially and ethnically diverse, and people increasingly exploring and defining their identities, the media has an opportunity to create more content to portray all of us better.
Quality of representation matters. And there is enough audience demand to ensure intersectional, authentic, and inclusive stories return for seasons to come. When more accurate characters are portrayed—among a narrative of experiences depicted on-screen— people feel valued while learning about the joys and struggles different from their own.
You can download this insightful report here
You can also explore the data yourself using the Gracenote Inclusion Analytics interactive tool.
You can follow Nielsen Media on instagram or linkedin
The purpose of LEAD Network is to inspire and enable women & men in the European retail and consumer goods industry. We work hard to create a future of inclusion and gender equality at all levels. We believe we can create more sustainable value by leveraging the full talent pool – people of every race, ethnicity, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age, educational background, national origin, religion, physical ability, and lifestyle.
The mission of the LEAD Network (Leading Executives Advancing Diversity) is to attract, retain and advance women in the retail and consumer goods industry in Europe through education, leadership, and business development. Our vision is of a fair, diverse and vibrant industry where everyone can thrive.