Whoopi Goldberg Champions Black Representation In Media With New Streaming Service BLKFAM
BLKFAM, a new streaming service backed by Whoopi Goldberg and specifically designed to cater to Black families, has officially launched.
Goldberg was an equity investor and creative director in BLKFAM, which aims to provide over 1,000 hours of child-friendly animation and other content.
BLKFAM
The unique platform is the first and only Black-owned and Black-focused family streaming service. Goldberg’s involvement is both a business venture and a personal commitment.
“I’m excited to be involved with BLKFAM from the ground floor. I’m proud to be a part of something my great-grandkids can enjoy, and see characters who look like them onscreen, created by people who look like them, for them,” Goldberg told TechCrunch.
Her vision aligns with the service’s mission to offer content that entertains, educates, and celebrates the Black American family.
A Collection Of Inclusive Stories
BLKFAM’s approach is distinct from the typical streaming model of “more is better.”
Instead, it focuses on curating a collection of inclusive stories that resonate with Black audiences, often underrepresented or misrepresented in mainstream media.
The service’s offerings are not just limited to children; there are 10 new original live-action and animated series in development, set to be released throughout 2024.
Another standout feature is the service’s co-viewing strategy, offering content that appeals to the entire family rather than targeting individual age groups.
“Professionally deeply understanding the streaming landscape, I knew there was a gap in co-viewing platforms,” Larry Adams, BLKFAM’s founder, explained.
“But as a Black parent, when my kids and I would sit down to watch a movie or share a show, the options for families to watch together were mixed together with adult-oriented content.”
BLKFAM’s content partners, including Playwatch Kids and Candle Media’s ATTN, will deliver educational shows like “Kembe,” “Gabby Galactic and the Orbiteens,” and “12th Street.”
BLKFAM is available on various platforms such as Amazon Prime Video Channels, Amazon Fire TV, Apple TV, Roku, YouTube TV, Samsung Smart TVs, Vizio, LG, and iOS and Android devices.
