Interactive One Launches three New Sites Targeting African Americans

Interactive One, LLC the new digital division of Radio One, Inc., has announced the launch of three new content-driven websites: NewsOne, TheUrbanDaily and HelloBeautiful. The three sites will join BlackPlanet, which was acquired by Radio One earlier this year.

NewsOne features a combination of syndicated news agency content from sources including the Associated Press, original news reporting, local content and opinion blogs.

TheUrbanDaily features entertainment news, information, gossip and opinion and original celebrity interviews.

HelloBeautiful, currently in Beta, is a livestyle channel for African-American women featuring a mix of fashion, beauty, entertainment and relationship content.

"Interactive One is the largest and most comprehensive digital network for African-Americans," said Smokey D. Fontaine, Chief Content Officer, Interactive One. "Our family of targeted content sites and our social network enables users to find original and intelligent content tailored to African-American's interests and needs and to engage in conversation with the Black community online." 

In April, Radio One's Interactive One unit acquired the social networking company, Community Connect Inc., a family of social-networking brands including BlackPlanet.com, MiGente.com, and AsianAve.com. As part of the Interactive One family, BlackPlanet will be integrated into the social networking experience on all of the sites.

A few weeks ago Radio One announced the results of its "Black American Survey," the largest ever national survey of African-Americans. The survey showed that nearly 68% of African-Americans are now online compared with 71% of all Americans, proving that the digital divide is now closed. The study also shows that more than 16 million African-Americans are currently using broadband, a number that is projected to grow by 31% to 21 million by 2009.