An RSV reporter strain that can be used for high-throughput drug discovery is disclosed. Also disclosed is a recombinant RSV vector that contains an RSV genome encoding the disclosed RSV reporter strain operably linked to an expression control sequence. Also disclosed is an infectious RSV virion produce by expression of the disclosed recombinant RSV vector in a host cell. Also disclosed is a recombinant nucleic acid that comprises an RSV F protein having an escape mutation operably linked to a heterologous expression control sequence. Also disclosed are methods of screening for antiviral agents using the disclosed RSV reporter strains.