The team also knows its readers don’t just want to hear LGBTQ+ news but information on other topics like climate change and health care. “We’ve always been doing intersectional reporting journalism, and I think [The Advocate Channel] adds to it,” said Alex Cooper, digital editor of The Advocate.
“In many ways,” he added, “expanding different topics gives a better picture of what a core person these days goes through and actually experiences.”
Younger viewers and readers get their news from platforms like Instagram, YouTube Shorts and TikTok, where they are able to get bite-sized stories. Berryhill said that’s how The Advocate Channel will operate, with blocks of content running between 4 and 10 minutes.
“We can be part of their morning or their commute when they’re going home, and give them the day’s news with our perspective,” he said, adding, “That’s going to be very important for our future as a company.”
An advocate, now more than ever
It is a critical time for The Advocate. The ACLU, which keeps track of anti-LGBTQ+ legislation, is watching more than 450 bills make their way through state legislatures.
Guerrero said The Advocate Channel will balance this coverage with uplifting stories from the community.
“It’s just an opportunity for us to balance out some of the bad news, like the trans woman who won the Jeopardy! tournament,” said Guerrero.
As The Advocate Channel rolls out, it plans to add more content so its readers and viewers can continue to feel seen and heard.
“As we move forward, we are just going to keep expanding our focus and and make sure that all those very important stories are part of our agenda,” said Neal Broverman, editorial director of Equal Pride.
The Advocate Channel launches June 19 on advocatechannel.com, Roku, Fire TV, Apple TV, Google TV, Apple iOS and Google Play.
