Netflix Diversity Audit Shows Low Latino Representation

An internal Audit reveals Netflix still lacking Latino representation in their programming. Last year Netflix commissioned the USC Annenberg Inclusion Initiative to examine their movies and series to see how well their diversity, equity and representation initiatives were doing, and they found there was still a need for more Latinx programming.

The study found that just 4.5% of main cast members were Latinx during January 2018 through December 2019, which as you can tell is before new episodes of Latino favorite series such as ‘Mr. Iglesias’, and before the release of ‘Selena The Series.’ Latinos currently make up about 18% of the population, so the fact that there is such a discrepancy means Netflix is not immune from the problems mainstream Hollywood is having of accurately representing our community.

The glaring omission of Latinx roles on Netflix is a code red signal for the streaming platform considering the huge opportunity they could be missing out on by accessing Latino audiences. CNN Business reported that in 2018 Latinos purchased 23% of movie tickets sold in the country (Motion Picture Association of America), and the current buying power of Latinos was projected at $1.9 trillion by 2023 according to Nielsen.

Over the past year, Netflix has proved they are willing to make more Latinx content by greenlighting projects such as ‘Selena The Series’, ‘Gentefied’ and ‘I am not your Perfect Daughter,’ which is America Ferrera’s directorial debut. The success of past Latinx series should be a clear signal to Netflix that they are on the right track, they just need to ramp up more productions. The talent is out there, the scripts are out there, now let’s make it happen!
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