Cabler ABC Family topped GLAAD's fifth
annual report on gay-inclusive broadcasting, while the CW led the
networks.
ABC family scored an “excellent”
rating on the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation's (GLAAD)
Network Responsibility Index (NRI) released Wednesday. The cabler
positively depicted the lives of gay, lesbian, bisexual and
transgender characters in 55 percent of its original programming.
Many of the shows, such as Pretty Little Liars and The
Secret Life of the American Teenager, are aimed at a younger
audience. ABC Family scored 37 percent last year.
Showtime also scored high marks with 37
percent, up from 32 percent last year. The pay cable network was
helped by the premiere of Shameless and the second season of
The Real L Word, an L Word reality series spinoff that
revolves around the lives of a group of lesbians living in Los
Angeles.
For the report, GLAAD combed through
over 6,000 prime-time hours from the five major network broadcasters
(ABC, CBS, NBC, Fox and the CW) and 10 prominent cable networks (ABC
Family, A&E, AMC, FX, HBO, Showtime, Syfy, TBS, TNT and USA) for
positive gay themes or characters aired between June 1, 2010 to May
31, 2011.
The CW led the networks for the second
year in a row with 33 percent. Shows such as the nighttime teenage
drama 90210 and American's Next Top Model helped the
network win the top spot. The CW, Fox (29%) and ABC (23%) scored a
“good” rating, while NBC (15%) and CBS (10%) were rated
“adequate.”
NBC and CBS have struggled to diversify
their programming. Both have previously been rated “failing”
from GLAAD.
Following last year's report, in which
CBS also scored lowest (7%) among all five networks, President Nina
Tassler said she was “disappointed” in her network's track record
and promised to do better.