GLAAD praises CW, MTV; slams CBS

For the first time, the CW has topped the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation’s annual survey of gay-friendly programming, and MTV has received the organization’s first "excellent" rating.

After three years in second place, the CW received top Network Responsibility Index marks for its portrayals of gay and lesbian characters and the highest-ranking to date for a broadcast network.

MTV received an even higher score, with the cable channel becoming the first network to receive an "excellent" grade from GLAAD, which has conducted the survey for three years.

"From their inception, MTV programs like ‘The Real World’ and ‘America’s Best Dance Crew’ have offered richly diverse portrayals of gay and transgender people that help Americans better understand and accept our community," GLAAD president Jarrett Barrios said.

GLAAD reviewed nearly 5,000 hours of primetime programming for the study, and the report wasn’t all positive.

The most-watched network, CBS, again received a "failing" grade, with only 7% of programming considered inclusive, a majority of which came from its reality shows.

"This year CBS has once again missed the mark in its representation of our community and becomes the only broadcast network with a failing grade," Barrios told THR. "CBS’ failure to incorporate fair, accurate and diverse gay and transgender images in its programming is, as evidenced by this report, out-of-touch with the industry standard. We urge CBS President Nina Tassler to fulfill what she called in 2009, CBS’ ‘fundamental commitment to the philosophy of diversity across the schedule and representation of gays and lesbians on air.’"

Overall, Fox (30%) was right behind the CW (35%) but only received an "adequate" grade because some of its content was deemed derogatory. ABC (26%) dropped to third, followed by NBC (13%).

On cable, ABC Family (37%), TNT (34%), Showtime (32%), Lifetime (31%) and HBO (26%) received good grades.

USA (4%), A&E (3%) and TBS (2%) also received "failing" grades.