GLAAD Releases 2015 "Where Are We On TV" Report: Talks Character Diversity

GLAAD has released its annual "Where We Are on TV" report for the 2015-2016 season. The report tallies lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender representation on television by gathering information from its various forms grouped as broadcast, cable and streaming shows. All shows accounted for are expected to premiere between June 1, 2015, and May 31, 2016.

Out of the 881 regular characters surveyed for broadcast television, GLAAD found that 35, or 4 percent, identified as gay, lesbian or bisexual. Another 35 were included as recurring characters. Scripted cable series saw an increase in representation this year and will have a total of 84 regular lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender characters with 58 recurring ones. Streaming series will see 43 such characters as regulars and 16 recurring.

Since the report was created in 2005, this was the first year that it included streaming series. These accounted for four transgender characters where there were none on broadcast television and three recurring ones on cable.

Streaming is leading the way for trans representation, but broadcast networks must do more! https://t.co/KYOrpCnP98 pic.twitter.com/8PnePH711A

— GLAAD (@glaad) October 27, 2015

The GLAAD survey also looked into race and gender diversity across the platforms and found that both women and people of color are still very much missing from the small screen. Shows like Empire, Fresh off the Boat and How To Get Away From Murder are becoming more popular for viewers, but the stats are showing that there is still much work to be done.

A San Diego State University study found that more women behind the scenes may give a boost to gender diversity on television. According to Entertainment Weekly, the research suggests "on films with female directors, women comprised 52 percent of writers. In contrast, on films with exclusively male directors, women accounted for just 8 percent of writers. On films with female directors, women comprised 35 percent of editors. On films with male directors, 15 percent of editors were female."