Consumer expectations of diversity have been reshaping the media and entertainment industry for years. Audiences want relatable content that mirrors their experiences, and they are shifting toward brands and creators who deliver that representation. Brands that don’t realize this will lose market relevance and loyalty and will leave revenue on the table.
Deloitte’s Digital Media Trends report breaks down how diversity influences content consumption, brand loyalty, and consumer spending.
Get your notepad out because we’re about to jump into three key takeaways and what they mean for media and entertainment brands in 2025.
Key Trends Highlighting the Demand for Inclusivity
Despite the polarization of DE&I in society, diversity in media is still important. Studies prove it shapes audience preferences, brand perception, and consumer spending. Brands that approach inclusivity tactically instead of integrating it into their business strategy will struggle. The focus must shift from surface-level representation to deeper engagement so that diverse voices are heard, valued, and reflected.
1. Diverse Audiences Seek Authentic Representation
More than half of Black consumers prefer TV shows and movies featuring people who look, talk, and act like them. About 70% of Black consumers, along with over half of Asian, multiracial, Hispanic, and Latino audiences, believe that diversity behind the scenes is just as important as representation on screen.
This is a critical insight for companies that want to reach multicultural audiences. Sadly, too many brands just check the diversity box without embedding it into their core strategy. This performance is obvious to most and comes across as inauthentic and offensive.
2. Social Media Is Seen as More Inclusive Than Traditional Media
Over 40% of consumers say that videos on social media are more diverse than TV and film. Among Gen Z audiences, 60% feel social media offers greater inclusivity, and that percentage skyrockets among Black, multiracial, Hispanic, Latino, and LGBTQ consumers.
Too many big brands focus only on big-name celebrities and overlook the power of grassroots influencers within various micro-communities. Many consumers find social media creators more relatable and trustworthy than mainstream “Hollywood” entertainment.
3. Inclusivity Directly Impacts Consumer Spending
Diverse consumers contribute to more than one-third of the U.S. media and entertainment market, with 71% of their spending decisions influenced by feelings of inclusivity. When brands fail to reflect their values, these consumers take their attention and dollars elsewhere.
Focusing only on on-screen representation without changing who is telling the stories can lead to content that feels forced or inauthentic. Representation isn’t just about who is visible, but the ones behind the scenes shaping the brand narrative.
Final Thought: Authenticity Drives Lasting Loyalty
Diversity is not a trend or a box to check. It is a business necessity. Consumers are paying attention, speaking up, and walking away from brands that do not reflect their values. This shift goes beyond on-screen representation. It is about who tells the stories, who shapes the conversation, and who influences culture.
The media & entertainment brands that make inclusivity a core strategy will build deeper loyalty and engagement. This means more than featuring diverse faces. It requires amplifying voices, investing in talent, and creating spaces where all audiences feel seen.
Brands that treat diversity as an afterthought will fade. The ones that embed it into everything they do will lead the future of media and entertainment.
