ABC, with shows like Brothers & Sisters, Desperate Housewives and Ugly Betty, received the highest ranking of the five broadcast networks for the second year in a row; NBC and Fox remained the two lowest-scoring networks, with their LGBT-inclusive hours dropping slightly from the previous season. Among the sampling of cable networks evaluated, FX featured the largest number of LGBT-inclusive hours of original programming, while TNT offered the fewest.

"Time and again we see that what people watch on TV shapes how they view and treat the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people around them," says GLAAD President Neil G. Giuliano. "ABC and FX are leading the way when it comes to telling our stories, showing other networks that including images of our community can go hand in hand with critical and commercial success. This year's GLAAD Network Responsibility Index offers an in-depth examination of where networks excelled and how they can improve, particularly in conveying the diversity of our lives."

GLAAD examined all primetime programming – 4,911 hours – on the five major networks (ABC, CBS, The CW, Fox and NBC) from June 1, 2007 to May 31, 2008. GLAAD also examined all original primetime programming – 1,240.5 hours – on 10 highly-rated cable networks. Each hour was reviewed for any on-screen major or minor LGBT representations. Based on the quantity, overall quality and diversity of these representations, a grade was assigned to each network: Excellent, Good, Adequate, or Failing.

ABC and The CW both received a grade of Good, with 24 and 21 percent, respectively, of their primetime programming hours inclusive of LGBT representations. CBS followed with an Adequate; 9 percent of its programming hours were LGBT-inclusive. NBC and Fox both received grades of Failing for their 6 and 4 percent, respectively, of programming hours with LGBT images. Of the 10 cable networks evaluated, FX, HBO and Showtime each received a grade of Good, with FX leading with 45 percent of programming hours featuring LGBT representations. Lifetime and MTV were ranked Adequate. A&E, Spike, TBS, TNT, USA all received grades of Failing. None of the evaluated networks – broadcast or cable – received an Excellent ranking.

"Networks have a responsibility to make sure the images they broadcast foster awareness, understanding and respect of the full diversity of our community," said GLAAD Director of Entertainment Media Damon Romine, editor of the report. "When lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people are portrayed in a fair, accurate and inclusive manner on television, it has the power to change hearts and minds."

Last update: 01-29-2009 20:40

Posted by B.K. Wright, on 07-24-2008 15:00, 1. Beau to Beau books and cards Good for ABC, however, we desperately need other networks to air more gay shows, and more even from ABC. Writers -- get busy!!   » Report this comment to administrator