The advocacy group GLAAD says the number of gay and bisexual characters on broadcast network TV has dipped slightly this season to 19 out of nearly 650 roles.
The 16th annual "Where We Are on TV" report released Wednesday by GLAAD found that 2.9 percent of actors appearing regularly on prime-time network drama and comedy series in the 2011-12 season will portray gay, lesbian or bisexual characters.
That's down from 3.9 percent last season, when there were 23 representative characters out of a total of nearly 600 roles.
The group says Fox leads the networks in gay representation, with eight regular characters out of a total of 117.
GLAAD used information provided by ABC, CBS, Fox, NBC and CW to review 91 scripted series announced to air this season.