There's been a bunch of growth for OKP recently and it actually looks like a real modern media hub.

The boards don't really fit that dynamic. Message boards faded out a decade ago.

And I'd say the boards would be highly controversial for new users.

Imagine you're a new user who gets directed to okayplayer.com somehow.
You are exploring the site and click on message boards.
And on the boards you see posts about dolphin sex, whitey, Crisco's hoetation, etc.
I couldn't imagine a burgeoning media company wanting to be associated with that.