Shifting the Lens: Women’s Leadership in Reality TV

The Geena Davis Institute, Banijay Entertainment & Everywoman Studios hosted an event with an insightful analysis and look behind the scenes at women's representation in reality TV.
Tuesday, July 16, 2024
In partnership with:

On July 16, 2024, the Geena Davis Institute hosted Shifting the Lens: Women’s Leadership in Reality TV at the Skirball Cultural Center in Los Angeles. The event brought together key voices from across the reality TV industry to highlight the contributions of women leaders in this space. Featuring research findings from the Institute and insights from top industry professionals, the evening provided an engaging platform to discuss the evolving landscape of reality television and the critical role of women’s leadership.

Panelists and Speakers: The event featured a lineup of distinguished speakers and panelists:

Event Highlights

The event kicked off with opening remarks from Geena Davis, followed by an insightful research presentation by Dr. Meredith Conroy. This was a highlight, showcasing new data on women’s leadership and representation in reality television. The research unveiled critical gaps in gender equity within the unscripted television sector and identified the strides being made by industry leaders to bridge these gaps.

The panel discussion, moderated by Karla Pita Loor, brought together high-profile executives from Netflix, ABC Entertainment, and Endemol Shine North America. The conversation centered on the challenges and opportunities for women in leadership roles within the unscripted TV space. The discussion also explored strategies for embedding inclusion throughout all levels of production—from casting to creative leadership.

Key Takeaways

  1. Women in Leadership: The research emphasized that while women are making progress in leading unscripted series, there remains a significant underrepresentation of women, particularly women of color, in key leadership roles.
  2. The Power of Inclusion: Panelists highlighted the importance of fostering inclusive environments behind the scenes, ensuring that the stories being told on-screen reflect diverse and authentic experiences.
  3. Audience Demand: There is a growing audience demand for content that reflects gender-balanced and intersectional representation.

Actionable Insights

The evening underscored the ongoing need for increased representation and leadership opportunities for women in the reality TV industry. To support efforts in fostering more inclusive content, we encourage you to explore the Geena Davis Institute’s research-based toolkit, which offers practical guidelines based on the findings presented during the event.

Upcoming Events
Virtual

The Inside Track: GDI’s Latest Research

Join us for an exclusive virtual event on November 14, 2024, featuring new research on gender equity in media and actionable steps for creating inclusive content.
11am PT/2pm ET
Speaker:
Geena Davis, Founder and Chair, Geena Davis Institute