50+ women underrepresented on top TV programmes

Women over the age of 50 are underrepresented on top TV programmes, according to recent research by Nielsen.

Its latest report Shattering Stereotypes: How Today’s Women Over 50 are Redefining What’s Possible On-Screen, At Work and At Home, (part of the Nielsen Diverse Intelligence Series), reveals that women over the age of 50 are hardly seen on TV screens; and when they are, they often play stereotypical roles.

“They have shattered many glass ceilings in life – as business leaders, community activists and balancing careers with caregiving; yet the media industry is missing out on portraying these realities,” pointed out Tina Wilson, Nielsen EVP of Analytics. “Forward-thinking content creators and brands know there’s value in changing that. Through this report, we aim to raise awareness in the media industry about women 50+ who are such a critical part of our communities and families.”

PLUMMETING SCREEN TIME FOR OVER 50s

When it comes to representation on TV, Nielsen’s analysis shows that men are on-screen more than women (62% screen time versus 38%); even though women make up more than half of the US population. But for women over age 50, who represent 20% of the population, the share of time on-screen plummets to just 8%.

When women over 50 are cast in shows, the stories often centre around matriarchal and motherly themes. Conversely, in shows that have high female representation, but where none of the female cast members were over 50, the top themes were intrigue, getting away and mysterious situations, interviews and custody disputes. Women 50+ rarely see themselves in content; and when they do, they often find a reflection of a woman that doesn’t match their multi-faceted relevance, or reality.

“The 50-plus woman is successfully redefining these years as her new prime time. But while we are more active, more ambitious and more influential now than ever, a search for ourselves on-screen betrays our near invisibility,” added Sandra Sims-Williams, Nielsen’s Chief Diversity Officer. “As the leader of Nielsen’s DE&I team, I want to raise awareness of the power of my peers through our insights about the media we are consuming and how we are consuming it.”

SHATTERING STEREOTYPES

These women are also watching content more on internet-connected devices. Usage during primetime had increased by 51% for women over age 65; a year over year increase (in 2020-21) that outpaced women 50-64 and women overall. They are also using devices to keep up with their lives on the go; with 70% of smartphone ownership. Other key findings include:

• Most viewed programmes include Sunday Night Football, red carpet events, talent competitions and all-star Jeopardy specials. 
• In 2020, the top 10 broadcast primetime programmes featured diverse leading cast members. Across these most watched series, and women averaged a 46% share of screen. 
• The top 10 list of most-watched series for Black women and Afro-Latinas over 50 was dominated by weekly NFL kickoffs, talent competitions and primetime dramas with Black female leads. 
• Asian women over 50 watched the most news programmes, compared with their counterparts across other racial and ethnic backgrounds. 
• Spanish-language talent shows, awards shows and novel as were the most popular programme types on broadcast TV among Hispanic women. 
• The top broadcast shows among same gender female spouses and partners over age 50 include lead characters who are lesbians.

For more information on the “Shattering Stereotypes” report, click here.