[caption id="attachment_164363" align="aligncenter" width="600"] MTV's "Faking It"[/caption]

It might only be October, but GLAAD is already handing out report cards to the television industry: The media watchdog released two annual reports this morning that evaluate the quantity, quality and diversity of LGBT representation on the small screen.

[caption id="attachment_164581" align="alignright" width="354"] Michael Willett (left) as gay teen Shane on MTV's "Faking It"[/caption]

The Network Responsibility Index reviews 15 networks on LGBT-inclusive content from between June 2013 and May 2014 and gives grades of Excellent, Good, Adequate or Failing.

For the first time in the report's eight-year history, three network earned "Excellent" grades: MTV, ABC Family and HBO.

“For MTV to fully connect with young people, we have to represent our entire audience in all its brilliant diversity, which includes people of every sexual orientation and gender identity,” said Stephen Friedman, President of MTV & Logo TV. “We’re honored to receive GLAAD’s recognition, and are committed to airing the stories of LGBTQ young people to provide our audience characters they can relate to, and to bring new voices from the LGBTQ community into living rooms across the country.”

ABC Family president Tom Ascheim said remaining relevant meant reflecting audiences' experiences, "[which are] based on valuing loving relationships, no matter the gender." HBO's Michael Lombardo said shining a spotlight on LGBT stories was "part of our history and an ongoing commitment. "

The Where We Are on TV report, meanwhile, counts regular and recurring lesbian, gay, bi and trans characters in scripted broadcast shows that began after May 31, and looks ahead at the upcoming 2014-2015 television season.

Following a decline in 2013, this year GLAAD is reporting an uptick in LGBT characters on the small screen, from 3.3% last year to 3.9%. Fox is at the head of the pack, with 10 LGBT characters among its 154 series regulars. On the other end of the spectrum, The CW currently has no regular LGBT characters, but has announced several in the season to come.

[caption id="attachment_165970" align="alignright" width="234"] "How to Get Away with Murder"[/caption]

GLAAD included a brief rundown of recent and upcoming additions to the television rainbow:

On ABC, How to Get Away with Murder introduced a gay law student, Connor, who becomes involved with another gay character (this one recurring) named Oliver.

This past summer, Mistresses saw the arrival of gay friend and business associate Mickey; Scandal will have a new recurring gay character, Michael; and when Manhattan Love Story premieres the show will introduce a literary editor, who is gay.

Several CBS comedies will include new out characters this coming season: The McCarthys are a Boston based tight-knit Irish Catholic family whose gay son, Ronny, wants to move away.

When The Millers returns, it will introduce Kip Withers, a gay friend to one of the show’s main characters. Meanwhile on Mom, it was revealed during the past season that Chef Rudy is bisexual. Unfortunately, there aren’t any new LGBT characters on CBS’ dramas.

[caption id="attachment_165968" align="alignright" width="299"] Chris Brochu as Luke on "The Vampire Diaries"[/caption]

While none of the series on The CW feature regular LGBT characters, several of them have introduced or will introduce new recurring out characters.

During the last season, returning drama The Vampire Diaries introduced Luke, a gay college student and witch, while spinoff series The Originals introduced a gay vampire named Josh.

On Hart of Dixie, Crickett, the co-leader of the Belles, a local historian group, is a lesbian who is married to a man rumored to be gay. Sara and Nyssa are set to recur on the new season of Arrow when the show returns this fall, while new DC Comics drama The Flash will introduce two gay characters, David and another yet to be announced. Jane the Virgin will include a lesbian character, Luisa, a bisexual woman, Rose, and a gay man, Luca.

[caption id="attachment_165341" align="alignright" width="175"] Wilson Cruz as Nurse Kenji

on Fox's "Red Band Society"[/caption]

Fox will introduce many new lesbian, gay and bisexual characters this season. Empire, a drama about the founder of a successful record label facing health problems and looking for his successor, will include his gay son Jamal and his recurring boyfriend Michael.

Gotham will feature lesbian detective Renee Montoya as well as her bisexual ex-girlfriend, Barbara Kean.

The Portland Police Bureau’s Special Crimes Unit on Backstrom will feature both a gay and a bisexual character, Nicole and Gregory; while Red Band Society, a drama set in a pediatric ward, will have a recurring gay nurse named Kenji, and a patient with two moms. Earlier this year a lesbian recurring character was introduced on The Following, FBI agent Gina Mendez.

On the comedy side, Mulaney will feature Oscar, a gay elderly neighbor to the main character; The Mindy Project will see the arrival of Dr. Jean Fishman who is a lesbian; and Glee will have a new recurring gay football player named Spencer.

[caption id="attachment_165967" align="alignright" width="233"] Katharine Isabelle as Margot Verger on "Hannibal"[/caption]

During the past season NBC introduced several out characters to its primetime drama series. It was revealed that Dr. Drew Alister on The Night Shift is gay, Crossbones included lesbian pirate Nenna and bisexual sex worker Rose, while Hannibal also introduced a lesbian character named Margot.

During the last season of long-running series Parenthood on NBC, it was revealed that Haddie started dating another woman while away at college.

The network will introduce several new lesbian, gay or bisexual characters in its upcoming comedies as well. One Big Happy will feature Lizzy, a lesbian who decides to have a baby with her best friend through insemination; one of the lead characters on Marry Me will have two dads, Kevin 1 and Kevin 2; on Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt, the lead character will live with a struggling gay Broadway actor, Titus. Meanwhile, Undateable features a shy gay man named Brett.

Will the grades be so good in May? We'll have to tune in and find out.

For the full 2014 Network Responsibility Index and Where We Are on TV Report, click here