Today, GLAAD released its fourth annual Network Responsibility Index, a report that analyzes the quantity, quality and diversity of LGBT images on 15 major broadcast and cable television networks. MTV became the first network ever to receive an "Excellent" rating from GLAAD. Of its 207.5 hours of original primetime programming, 42% included LGBT-inclusive images that reflected the ethnic and racial diversity of the LGBT community as well as a strong cross-section of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people. In response to GLAAD's analysis of the network, MTV General Manager Stephen Friedman released the following statement:

“MTV is proud to be recognized by GLAAD as the first network ever to receive an ‘excellent’ rating for our inclusion of LGBT people in our programming. Our audience today expects MTV to reflect their full diversity, in large part because of our rich history of challenging them to consider new perspectives.  It is incredibly gratifying to be held up as an example for the industry.”

Behind MTV is ABC Family, which featured 37% of LGBT-inclusive programming, earning a "Good" rating, followed by TNT (34%), Showtime (32%), Lifetime (31%), and HBO (26%). GLAAD reviewed a total of 4,787.5 hours of primetime programming for inclusion of LGBT characters or issues on the five major networks (ABC, CBS, The CW, Fox and NBC) from June 1, 2009 to May 31, 2010. GLAAD also examined 1,227.75 hours of original primetime programming on 10 highly-rated cable networks. Each hour was reviewed for on-screen LGBT representations. Based on the quantity, overall quality and diversity of these representations, a rating was assigned by GLAAD’s Entertainment Media Program to each network: Excellent, Good, Adequate, or Failing. The full, detailed report can be downloaded here: http://www.glaad.org/2010/nri