Introduction
In recent years, with the advent of several private TV channels in Côte d’Ivoire, viewers have seen a new trend emerge in the audiovisual landscape. This is the use of influencers as TV hosts. With the rise of social networks, personalities previously confined to the digital universe now find themselves managing television shows. This new media trend in the Ivorian audiovisual landscape arouses controversial opinions among viewers. Through this article, let’s dive into the heart of this new media trend and the different opinions that oppose it.
The Phenomenon of Influencers in Cote d’Ivoire
In Côte d’Ivoire, influencers occupy an important place in the daily lives of young people. Whether they are present on Instagram, YouTube, TikTok, or Facebook, they accumulate thousands, even millions of followers thanks to their entertaining, informative, or inspiring content. Figures like Emmanuelle Kéita, Emma Lohoues, Yvidero, coach Hamond Chic, and Eunice Zunon have established themselves as opinion leaders, capable of mobilizing massive audiences. Faced with this growing popularity, Ivorian television channels quickly seized the opportunity to integrate these influencers into their programs
A New Media Trend Well-received by Some Viewers
Some viewers see the use of influencers as TV hosts as a turning point in the Ivorian media industry. For them, influencers bring a breath of fresh air and redefine the traditional codes of animation. This allows channels to capture a younger and more connected audience. Young people, who mainly consume content on social networks, are often less inclined to follow traditional media. By inviting personalities they admire, television channels attract these young viewers, and the shows hosted by these influencers are often widely relayed on social networks, thus creating an ecosystem where television and digital reinforce each other. For example, we have the show “LE VRAI MATCH” hosted by the influencer Braising Girl and the famous YouTuber Kevine Obin, the show “MOOD BY EK” hosted by the influencer Emmanuelle Kéita, the show “YVIDERO SHOW” hosted by the influencer Yvidero and “ALLO CAVIAR” hosted by Coach Hamond Chic. These television shows that are tailor-made for these influencers are enjoying astonishing success with thousands of people connected on Facebook lives.
A Lasting Media Trend
While the use of influencers as hosts is well-received by some viewers, other viewers are rather offended by this new trend. For them, TV channels should instead recruit competent people who know the codes of hosting, in particular young graduates in communication or journalism who have studied to perform this function. They believe that television hosting requires specific skills that cannot be improvised. Not all influencers manage to adapt to the demands of television, where regularity, timing, and compliance with formats are essential. For them, using influencers as hosts means condemning these talented young people who have degrees in journalism and television hosting to unemployment. It is in this spirit that a wave of young people and many other people have come out on Facebook to express their discontent with this trend.
Conclusion
The integration of influencers in television animation in Côte d’Ivoire illustrates a transformation of the media landscape, where the boundaries between digital and television are becoming increasingly blurred. This trend allows channels to renew themselves by attracting a new audience while offering influencers increased visibility. If this collaboration between television and social networks is still in the experimental phase, it could well represent the future of television animation in Côte d’Ivoire.
