Methodology & Research Approach

Researchers at VAFF conducted a review of five broadcasters—CBC, CTV, Citytv, Global TV, and Knowledge Network—from April 11, 2021, to April 17, 2021. Television programs aired during this period were logged onto a spreadsheet disaggregated by broadcaster. For this study, we found 332 total programs, 170 of which were scripted programs across all networks during all broadcast hours for this audit period.

To answer the first research question “Who are Canadians watching on their television screens?” researchers needed to determine if a typical television viewer in Canada considered the person on screen to be Asian, Black or person of colour (excluding Asian), or white based on a visual review.

Five data collectors independently assessed the cast members on these shows based on physical appearances for ethnicity. Each program was reviewed by at least (2) two researchers. Data was collected based on the following variables: • Show Format/Type: “Scripted” or “Unscripted”

• “Country of Production” of all scripted and unscripted TV programs on each of the five (5) networks

• Of the scripted shows, total number of Main Cast members

• Of the Main Cast actors, how many appeared to be of Asian heritage, BPOC (excluding

Asian) or white

For this analysis, we calculated the percentage of actors appearing to be Asian, BPOC (excluding Asian), and white cast members on all the scripted shows on each of the five broadcasting channels.