Geena Davis Institute Releases 2025 State of Representation in Children’s TV Report
New York City, September 9, 2025 – The Geena Davis Institute hosted the launch of its State of Representation in Children’s TV Report: 2025 at the SAG-AFTRA Foundation, bringing together leading voices from entertainment, education, and research to spotlight how children’s programming is shaping the next generation.
The evening began with opening remarks from Academy Award–winning actor and Institute Founder Geena Davis, who reflected on the mission that has driven the Institute for more than two decades: to ensure that children see themselves authentically represented on-screen. “If they can see it, they can be it,” Davis reminded the audience, underscoring the urgent need for media that validates young viewers’ identities and inspires their ambitions.
The report, unveiled by Dr. Meredith Conroy, Vice President of Research & Insights, examined trends in children’s television from 2018 to 2024. The findings revealed progress in representation but also persistent gaps across gender, race, LGBTQIA+ identity, disability, age, and body size. Conroy emphasized that authentic portrayals resonate not just with audiences but with the industry as a whole, driving deeper engagement and long-term loyalty.
Following the presentation, Madeline Di Nonno, President & CEO of the Institute, moderated a lively panel discussion featuring Melissa Navia, actor in Star Trek: Strange New Worlds; Carin Greenberg, creator of PBS’s Weather Hunters; and Dr. Rosemarie Truglio, Senior Vice President of Global Education at Sesame Workshop. The panelists explored how inclusive storytelling enriches narratives, challenges stereotypes, and equips children to see themselves reflected in the stories they love.
Clips shown throughout the evening—including exclusive scenes from Strange New Worlds, Weather Hunters, and Sesame Workshop programming—illustrated the power of authentic characters to inspire empathy, confidence, and curiosity in young audiences.
The event closed with a networking reception at Vida Verde, where creators, educators, and advocates continued the conversation and forged new collaborations aimed at strengthening representation across platforms.
While celebrating the strides made in children’s media, the State of Representation in Children’s TV Report: 2025 also makes clear that there is more work ahead. New voices continue to face barriers to market, cross-platform storytelling remains essential, and legacy brands must keep adapting to reflect today’s diverse audiences. For content creators, networks, educators, and industry leaders, the report offers both a call to action and a roadmap: prioritize authenticity, leverage research-driven data, and ensure that children grow up with stories that affirm who they are and who they can become.