GLAAD: ABC Family, Showtime, MTV Get `Good' Grades For Inclusiveness

By R. Thomas Umstead
( Broadcasting & Cable )
published

ABC Family was among several cable networks named as most inclusive of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) images and storylines, while HBO offers the most LGBT characters on-air, according to two separate GLAAD reports released Friday.

The 7th annual Network Responsibility Index, which rates networks on LGBT-inclusive content images and storylines, gave a "good" rating to ABC Family, which featured LGBT impressions or storylines in 50% of its original programming, according to the report. MTV and Showtime also received "good" marks, according to the report.

HBO, TLC, TNT and USA Network garnered "adequate" grades, while TBS and History generated "failing" grades, according to the organization.

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R. Thomas Umstead
R. Thomas Umstead

R. Thomas Umstead serves as senior content producer, programming for Multichannel News, Broadcasting + Cable and Next TV. During his more than 30-year career as a print and online journalist, Umstead has written articles on a variety of subjects ranging from TV technology, marketing and sports production to content distribution and development. He has provided expert commentary on television issues and trends for such TV, print, radio and streaming outlets as Fox News, CNBC, the Today show, USA Today, The New York Times and National Public Radio. Umstead has also filmed, produced and edited more than 100 original video interviews, profiles and news reports featuring key cable television executives as well as entertainers and celebrity personalities.