Entertainment
Study finds representation of women on television declined in 2025-26 season
Female show creators, directors, and major characters saw representation drop on both streaming and broadcast platforms compared to the previous year.
The short version
- A new study by Dr. Martha Lauzen shows that the percentage of women working as TV creators and directors, as well as female characters in major roles, fell during the 2025-26 television year.
- The decline follows temporary increases in the 2024-25 season, suggesting those gains were a momentary surge rather than a long-term trend.
- The share of female creators on both streaming and broadcast platforms is now lower than it was nearly a decade ago in the 2017-18 season.
Key facts
- The annual 'Boxed In' study, released by Dr. Martha Lauzen of the Center for the Study of Women in Television and Film at San Diego State University, tracked over 2,500 characters and more than 3,600 behind-the-scenes credits during the 2025-26 television year.[The Hollywood Reporter]
- The percentage of women creating streaming shows fell from 36 percent in 2024-25 to 24 percent in 2025-26, while female creators on broadcast networks decreased from 20 percent to 19 percent.[The Hollywood Reporter]
- Women directing streaming projects dropped from 32 percent in 2024-25 to 22 percent in 2025-26, and female directors on broadcast programs dipped from 18 percent to 16 percent.[The Hollywood Reporter]
- Major female characters on streaming services fell from 49 percent to 44 percent, while broadcast network representation of major female characters saw a minor dip from 47 percent to 46 percent.[The Hollywood Reporter]
- The study found age disparities persist, with the majority of women in speaking roles concentrated in their 20s and 30s, while the majority of men in speaking roles were in their 30s and 40s.[The Hollywood Reporter]
Sources
- Fewer Women Are Creating TV Shows Now Than They Were Nearly a Decade Ago, Study FindsThe Hollywood Reporter metered