Analysis of Representations of African Americans in Non-linear Streaming Media Content

Nonlinear distribution methods have changed the way that media content is consumed, with viewers now able to watch entire series in a few sittings. To develop a better understanding of how African Americans are portrayed on nonlinear distribution platforms, a content analysis was performed on the top five shows from Netflix, Hulu, and Amazon Prime. Findings suggest that online streaming platforms offer more diversity than traditional television, although underrepresentation and misrepresentation remain major issues in this space.