West LA Times

Women and people of color were the primary viewers for nine of the top 10 streaming films of 2023, according to the Hollywood Diversity Report. Households of color were also overrepresented among viewers for these films. The report highlights that while women and people of color find more opportunities in streaming than in theatrical productions, they still face limited resources compared to white male directors who helm high-budget projects.

The Hollywood Diversity Report, now in its 11th year, provides annual analyses of the industry both behind and in front of the camera, as well as comprehensive breakdowns of audiences' viewing habits. In 2023, women represented the majority of viewers for nine out of the top 10 streaming releases and 17 out of the top 20 ranked by household ratings. Similarly, households of color exceeded their population share as viewers for nine out of the top 10 streaming films and 18 out of the top 20.

“Women and people of color are key audiences that simply cannot be ignored by Hollywood,” said Ana-Christina Ramón, co-founder of the report and director of UCLA’s Entertainment and Media Research Initiative. “Once again, we found that successful streaming films are propelled to the top by households of color. And, among the highest-rated films, women are the majority of the viewers.”

Despite this significant viewership from diverse demographics, streaming releases faced challenges in 2023 due to a contraction in studio investments. Darnell Hunt, UCLA’s executive vice chancellor and provost, noted that “the boom of streaming is fizzling out” with fewer greenlit projects receiving substantial investment.

The total number of English-language streaming films dropped by nearly 29%, from 161 in 2022 to 115 in 2023. More than half had budgets under $20 million compared to about a third for theatrical releases. Only a small fraction (3.2%) had budgets exceeding $100 million.

Researchers urge industry leaders not to overlook recent gains in diversity despite financial constraints. “Increased diversity in front of and behind the camera continues to draw audiences in,” Ramón said.

Streaming originals were found to be more diverse than theatrical releases both on-screen and behind-the-scenes. Directors from diverse backgrounds brought more racial, ethnic, and gender balance to their casts compared to white male directors.

However, people of color and women remain underrepresented overall within an industry facing limited resources. Michael Tran, co-author and UCLA doctoral candidate stated: “Creators that represent diverse backgrounds face a mixed bag.” White women directors were most likely to have smaller budgets while big-budget projects remained predominantly reserved for white men.

Audiences continue to show a preference for diverse content. For instance, "You People" featured a cast with over 40% women and at least 20% actors with known disabilities and ranked highly across various demographic groups.

“This is how you keep subscribers — give them what they respond to and clearly want to see,” Ramón emphasized.

Overall findings suggest that diversity remains crucial for attracting audiences both at home and in theaters. Hunt concluded: “Diversity isn’t an impediment. It’s a draw.”

The report analyzed data from major streaming platforms including Amazon Prime, Apple TV+, Disney+, Hulu, Max, Netflix, Paramount+, and Peacock.

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