Meet TheBVX, BlackVoices’ Little Sister
Yesterday Angela gave me the heads up about Aol Black Voices‘ new venture and I just had to go and take a look-see. What I saw kind of took me aback, but I had to remind myself that this new site isn’t necessarily for my demographic. TheBVX is BlackVoices’ push to reach a younger demographic. Where Black Voices features all the news that’s relevant to the African-American community, BVX is a stripped down affair. Navigation tabs on TheBVX include News, Entertainment, Style, and Sex.
Design-wise, the site is solid. Large images couple with sometimes sensational yet eye-catching headlines, get the job done. As much as I didn’t want to click on the top story titled “Fight Fail: 67-Year-Old Hands Out Beatdown on Bus” I found myself unable to resist. The content tone is snarkier than the fare you’d find on Black Voices. The News tab is broken down into General, Gossip, and my favorite, WTF?
I can’t be mad at Black Voices’ strategy. There is nothing wrong with attracting new readers. More readers equates to more pagesviews equates to more ad dollars, or so the formula goes. I can’t question the content choice as it pertains to the target demographic. I hate to get on my “I’m holding on to my last year of twenty glue on lacefronts” soapbox, but is this really what makes the younger end of 20 want to read? I mean as interesting as “Fight Fail” is, I can’t equate that being associated with a site I would visit to get my news fix. It’s a rubber neck tactic. That’s not to say there aren’t interesting stories. The Valentine’s Day interview with Anthony Hamilton was a good read as was the Rosa Parks Blogger piece.
TheBVX is scheduled for a soft launch next Wednesday. I’m eager to see what kind of content will roll out as well as the reception the Aol new venture will receive. Let me know what you think.
Am I being old and crotchety regarding the content direction or am I on point?
Category: Featured, News | Tags: aol, black voices, branding, Content, TheBVX, website
About the Author Sherri is a freelance writer that has a love of all things fun and geeky including gadgets, gaming, anime, and comics. When she isn't writing or out on the town living it up, she loves doing 10-12 hour marathon sessions on her Xbox 360 or one of her older consoles. It's not an addiction, it's a way of life!
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I agree with you regarding content, my stepson 18 and daughter 19 both use their phones to search for stories that i am reporting on via @rollingout or @iluvblackwomen. Both of them like trying to out do me with most i cant these idiots did that headline. BVX would not even qualify as a news source based on those options that they would go to. I think AOL has a way of self defeat unlike any other web property i have seen in years.
You are not being old and crotchety. It is hard to find unique and informative sites nowadays. The TMZ Takeover is in full effect. Nice review.
I agree with you regarding the content. The older I get, the more I keep thinking that our youth is being fed such garbage when it comes to media outlets. Don't get me wrong, I think there needs to be a balance, and things don't need to be serious and educational all the time. I just hope that TheBVX will at least try to deliver a balance of media options.