The 2023 LDC U.S. Latinos in Media Report – Full Year Update offers an essential analysis of the current state of Latino representation across television shows, films, and streaming platforms in the United States. Building on data from January to December 2023, this report provides a comprehensive look at both on-screen and behind-the-camera roles, emphasizing the continued underrepresentation of Latinos in the media despite their significant contributions to the U.S. economy.
A key theme throughout this report is the critical need to address the persistent gap between the rapidly growing Latino population and their visibility in mainstream media. U.S. Latinos, who now constitute nearly 20% of the U.S. population and 25% of its youth, continue to be underrepresented, particularly in lead roles, directorial positions, and senior creative roles like showrunners and screenwriters. The report highlights the industry’s failure to reach market parity, with Latino representation still lagging far behind the population percentage, which is essential for both social equity and financial success.
This full-year update also showcases the undeniable appeal of Latino talent through several case studies, including Netflix’s top 10 most-watched shows and films globally. For example, the success of Wednesday, led by Latina actress Jenna Ortega, and One Piece, featuring Iñaki Godoy, underscores U.S. Latinos’ role in Technology AI and their ability to captivate global audiences when given the opportunity. Despite these successes, Latino talent remains significantly underutilized across the industry.
The report calls for a strategic shift toward authentic and proportional representation of U.S. Latinos in media, arguing that this is not just a matter of inclusion but a business imperative.
To download the full report and access the infographic, visit the Latino Donor Collaborative website. If you want to access some older reports, here is the 2022 U.S. Latinos in Media Report – Full Year Update.