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Racial breakdown on network TV
Saturday, Jun 28, 2008 9:00PM / Standard Entry / TV / Members only
14 comments

Diversity on American TV

A breakdown of race on network TV (no cable) and how the numbers match up to the U.S. population.
U.S. Population
66.2% White
12.9% Black
15.2% Latino/Hispanic
4.5% Asian
1.0% American Indian/Alaska Native
0.2% Hawaiian/Pacific Islander

ABC
78.2% White
9.4% Black
8.3% Latino/Hispanic
3.1% Asian
1.0% American Indian

NBC
71.0% White
11.8% Black
7.5% Latino/Hispanic
9.7% Asian
0% American Indian

CBS
79.3% White
9.0% Black
8.1% Latino/Hispanic
3.6% Asian
0% American Indian

FOX
77.7% White
12.5% Black
4.2% Latino/Hispanic
4.2% Asian
1.4% American Indian

THE CW
67.4% White
26.9% Black
3.8% Latino/Hispanic
1.9% Asian
0% American Indian

Compared to the other minorities, Asians don't fare as badly, except on the CW.

Here's a companion special report- Diversity in Entertainment: Why is TV so White?.

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Entry comments (14)

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AlbertV
posted on Wednesday, Jul 2, 2008 2:05AM [Report]

I read that article...it was very interesting. At least some networks had tried...I mean CBS looked like they were going to have an Asian action star with Sammo Hung in Martial Law, until they decided to turn into Rush Hour: The Series pretty much and the second season was just bad because I was hoping to see more of the rivalry between Sammo and the Traid lord he was after.

ABC had George Lopez headline his own show for five seasons and of all things, they canceled the show for that godawful Caveman show that just tanked.

maybe some of us should collaborate on a show that brings more diversity in the cast...like "Friends" but with more diversity.
peachey
posted on Tuesday, Jul 1, 2008 9:58PM

Margaret Cho's series was hella funny! I enjoyed it. "American Girl." I think a lot of people couldn't get past the ethnic look but the jokes were very universal. Loved the grandma character.
HusYourMommy
posted on Tuesday, Jul 1, 2008 5:56PM [Report]

There are many reasons why whites will always "run the show" on tv and in America.Advertisers will always appeal to whites the most because they know they will always by the majority of their products.It doesn't matter how large minority numbers grow in the future.

I was at the store and saw that Margaret Cho show it was the only network show with an all Asian cast.As I recall it only lasted 6 weeks.It doesn't mean you stop trying to make more shows like that.

Yeah Hispanics are the top minority now but more shows have more blacks than Hispanics hmmmmm?

If I had the resources I would start a multiracial network.Every race shown equally and show diversity and unity.
JoanneSanderson
posted on Monday, Jun 30, 2008 4:45AM [Report]

wow, never thought about it before, it's pretty high demographics for whites on TV, interesting results.
AsianChick100
posted on Monday, Jun 30, 2008 1:12AM [Report]

interesting stats! i didn't know there were more hispanics than blacks!
and yes... asians don't seem too under-represented!
Jaine
posted on Sunday, Jun 29, 2008 6:54PM [Report]

yes acheiving fair and accurate representation is an uphill battle...
Amy So
posted on Sunday, Jun 29, 2008 10:01AM [Report]

To answer your question...
mainly because the mass media likes to keep "white" as the norm and the ideal. hahah, and what the person below commented......is not too accurate ><. I think i've done enough media studies to know lol.

cheers.
unwoundclock
posted on Sunday, Jun 29, 2008 5:53AM [Report]

yah.. well i think that the fact that theres not a lot of asian actors plays a part in it.. cause you know how asian parents are, you either gotta be a doctor, lawyer, engineer, or dentist otherwise you face loads of nagging or alienation until you switch jobs just to make them happy..

id think my mom would kill me if i told her that i wanted to be an actor...
D.Y. Sao
posted on Sunday, Jun 29, 2008 5:21AM [Report]

ooooooh thats frustrating
have u seen the documentary 'the slanted screen?"
thansk for posting
this motivates me
pokedpenguin19
posted on Sunday, Jun 29, 2008 4:24AM [Report]

i shud try out acting on the CW hehehehe
janechu
posted on Saturday, Jun 28, 2008 11:57PM [Report]

interesting... yea agree with Eric, GO NBC!!!~ =) hahaa...
tinlunlau
posted on Saturday, Jun 28, 2008 10:10PM [Report]

and that's why i don't watch tv.
except when south park is on.
xibanyae
posted on Saturday, Jun 28, 2008 10:04PM [Report]

since latino/hispanic is not really a "race" i am not sure how this "racial" breakdowns they always apply to the US' statistics really work... ;)

latino/hispanic can be white, can be black, can be latinamerican indian, even asian and can be any mix of the above to any percent, so it's hard to see /that/ as a single "race" that can be sorted out or segregated as such (i.e. my wife is a scientist in the US and she always needs to add this "racial" breakdown to her studies... which to me makes no sense whatsoever ;))
eric
posted on Saturday, Jun 28, 2008 9:09PM [Report]

Go NBC!