TV’s Diversity Crisis: Black Stories Losing Ground on the Small Screen

Where are all the Black-centric scripted television shows heading? The current primetime lineup has seen significant cancellations of series featuring predominantly Black casts or leading Black characters. Notable shows include Prime Video’s “Harlem,” Peacock’s “Bel-Air,” and CBS’s “The Equalizer.” Yearly cancellations and renewals are expected, yet the absence of Black-oriented shows is glaring. Current statistics reveal a decline in new Black-centered scripted programs for the 2025-2026 season. Remarkably, many networks have yet to announce any replacements. A CBS spokesperson acknowledged the complexities of such decisions, emphasizing continuous evaluations of their programming. Similarly, stars like Queen Latifah and Laverne Cox expressed sadness over their show's conclusions while advocating for future projects that foster representation. Several production studios are exploring new distribution avenues for canceled shows, demonstrating resilience within the industry.