New OTA network called Bounce TV

[stationi]

http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/466194-EXCLUSIVE_Bounce_TV_New_Broadcast_Net_Aimed_at_African_Americans_To_Launch_in_Fall.php

A new over-the-air network targeting African Americans is set to launch this Fall. It looks like they have a pretty good foundation with 400 NBC Universal movies but the name in my opinion is weak. What do you guys think?

 

[gregg75]

Interesting. This seems to be the first sub-channel targeting African Americans. I think CW
69 in Atlanta would be a good sell. Other than primetime, they are heavily going after that
same audience. And, many of the larger cities have at least one similar station which appeals
mainly to the African American community.

But most of the subs go for a GENERAL audience. It might be a hard sell and row to hoe, but
if Extreme Sports and Universal Sports can do it, I'm sure others can also.

 

[BMR]

What are people's views on this, from a social perspective?

Is a network targetting people based on the colour of their skin* a good thing? Shouldn't Black people be playing their "major roles in entertainment" on mainstream TV and radio, not on a racially targetted network.

The article makes reference to Hispanic networks, but of course there is a language issue there.

*Yes, I realise there is a lot more to being Black than just having black skin, in terms of a distinct history and culture etc. But the need for a specific network based on language isn't there in the way it is with Hispanic communities.



If this station was launching in the UK I'm not sure I'd see TV just for Black people as a positive step, at this point in time. But I write from halfway across the world, and as a White man it's easy for me to say this type of thing.

 

[ansky212]

Is a network targetting people based on the colour of their skin* a good thing? Shouldn't Black people be playing their "major roles in entertainment" on mainstream TV and radio, not on a racially targetted network.

This is really nothing new. BET has existed for decades, and Centric targets the same audience.

 

[BMR]

Is a network targetting people based on the colour of their skin* a good thing? Shouldn't Black people be playing their "major roles in entertainment" on mainstream TV and radio, not on a racially targetted network.

This is really nothing new. BET has existed for decades, and Centric targets the same audience.

Sure. But this is a new network, the first one over the air and the founders are making a big thing of that and making it out to be some sort of step forward.

I'm not so sure it is,but again- easy for me to say that.

 

[azumanga]

A new over-the-air network targeting African Americans is set to launch this Fall. It looks like they have a pretty good foundation with 400 NBC Universal movies but the name in my opinion is weak. What do you guys think?

Well, there are at least two Canadian CHR radio stations that use the "Bounce" name -- CJCH-FM in Halifax and CHBN-FM in Edmonton; both, no doubt, include a healthy amount of rap and hiphop in their playlists.

 

[Markxxx]

Socioeconomically black people tend to have less income as a group. This means even if you attract viewers will they appeal to advertisers. No point advertising to a bunch of people who can't afford to buy what you're selling.

 

[Iowan]

Is this gonna be another 24 hour network like This TV or Antenna TV? Or will it operate only during primetime viewing hours like The CW or My Network TV?

 

[gregg75]

It sounds like a regular channel with lots of movies.......and there are a lot of black targeted
movies out there............more so than around 1972.

Mark we have a lot of affluent black people in Atlanta.......they're not all poor.

 

[landtuna]

Socioeconomically black people tend to have less income as a group. This means even if you attract viewers will they appeal to advertisers. No point advertising to a bunch of people who can't afford to buy what you're selling.

I understand your comment but then that's why seriously upscale companies advertise on the Sunday morning talk shows and golf broadcasts instead of The Simpson's, isn't it?

But you might find an answer by asking McDonald's what their advertising experience has been once they began targeting Blacks several years ago. Here in Phoenix we have a very small Black population yet virtually all of the McDonald's ads (and I assume they are national and not local) feature a large percentage of Black actors. Clearly reaching Blacks is their intention.

 

[Nate Wesley]

Socioeconomically black people tend to have less income as a group. This means even if you attract viewers will they appeal to advertisers. No point advertising to a bunch of people who can't afford to buy what you're selling.

This incredibly specious attitude is primarily why 'no urban dictates' still exist in media planning/buying.