Streamers Put More Women in Charge of TV Shows Than Broadcast Networks, Study Finds

“Streamers get a lot of credit for offering more progressive programming, and that reputation is, in part, well deserved.”

—Martha Lauzen, Executive Director of San Diego State University’s Center for the Study of Women in Television and Film

September 14, 2021

The gist: The “Boxed In” survey is the oldest running annual report on female employment in television started in 1997 by Martha Lauzen, executive director of San Diego State University’s Center for the Study of Women in Television and Film. The study has many stats, including the familiar, ‘…but we have a long way to go,’ inclusions. But here is a great takeaway: are “newer” streaming Co.’s less biased and less discriminatory simply by their age? And might this trend start to be seen in other industries as Millennials and now Gen Z’s are taking over? This is also good intel for women and diverse folks who are currently networking and sending in resumes for broadcast positions.

The #faxx:

• The “Boxed In” study found that streamers have better track records on gender parity for women in production overall.

• In 2019-2020, streamers employed women in 35% of key behind-the-scenes positions.

• Broadcast networks had a slightly higher percentage of female characters overall.

• Broadcast networks increased women's employment behind the scenes only slightly, moving from 30% to 31%.

Link to the AXIOS post here.