Over 90% Of Streaming Shows Created By White People, Study Finds

Diversity in popular streaming television sharply declined last year, with more than 90 percent of scripted shows created by white people, according to a new report from UCLA.

On Tuesday (December 16), UCLA released its annual Hollywood Diversity Report, which analyzed the 250 most-viewed scripted series on major streaming platforms in 2024, per The Wrap.

According to the report, 91.7 percent of those shows were created by a white person, up from the previous year. White men accounted for 79 percent of all creators, while white actors filled 80 percent of all roles, the report states.

The study found women and people of color were overwhelmingly underrepresented in creative leadership. Of the 222 scripted series surveyed, just 49 were created by women, while creators of color made up only 8 percent. Opportunities for women and actors of color declined as well, despite evidence that these demographics drive viewership for many top-performing shows.

The findings mark a reversal from gains made after the 2020 racial justice protests following George Floyd’s murder, when studios and streaming companies expanded diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives. Major media companies, including Disney, Amazon, Paramount, and Warner Bros., have rolled back or eliminated long-standing inclusion initiatives over the past year after President Donald Trump's return to office.

“Unfortunately, this wasn’t unexpected, especially with the election results in 2024,” Darnell Hunt, UCLA’s executive vice chancellor and provost and a co-founder of the report, said in a statement. “When you shut the door on diversity, you shut out opportunities for more perspectives, collaboration, exploration, and growth.”

Despite the overall decline, the study found that storylines centered on underrepresented groups increased in 2024. Series such as Ted Lasso and The Penguin featured prominent women characters, while shows like House of the Dragon and Bridgerton generated significantly higher social media engagement for women-centered narratives.

“When there are good and relatable stories, people watch regardless of who plays the lead,” co-author Nico Garcia said.

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