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    Magic Johnson starting TV network targeting blacks

    BEVERLY HILLS, California (AP) — Earvin "Magic" Johnson is launching a basic cable television network targeting black viewers with positive, uplifting images of African Americans.

    The former Los Angeles Lakers star tells the Los Angeles Times that his 24-hour Aspire channel will also offer opportunities for blacks who have struggled to find work in mainstream Hollywood.

    Aspire's mix will include film, TV, music, comedy, performing arts and shows about faith.

    The 52-year-old Johnson, who was enshrined in the Basketball Hall of Fame in 2002, says he's wanted a vehicle to showcase positive images of African Americans with stories written, produced and directed by blacks.

    Comcast Corp. reached an agreement with the FCC and Department of Justice to diversify.

    Johnson's channel will launch on June 30.

     

    27 comments

    • Bjorn Toulouse  •  3 mths ago
      You mean no Ice Hockey, Swimming or Country Music stories??????
    • the greatness  •  3 mths ago
      Will he air reruns of the "Magic Hour" Tv show? Hate to sound negative, but Oprah's Network is a dismal failure and she was the most successful black woman in TV history.
      I guess the biggest question, where will he find positive movies or tv shows to fill air time?
      Rappers are all negative. NBA players are the kings of baby mommas in every city. Tiger Woods destroyed his marriage and his career. Who do black people look up to these days? Just axing...
    • Gary  •  Richmond, Virginia  •  3 mths ago
      Will this network last longer than his talk show??
    • james k  •  Westport, New York  •  3 mths ago
      Here we go again. They are americans, not african americans. If you are born in the united states you are american. It is all this segregating of names, people, race, etc. that is racist. If people would just have some common sense and act like americans we would all be one. Who cares what color you are. Purple, black, green white, yellow. If your born here color shouldn't matter, you're American!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
    • Psalms  •  3 mths ago
      search Elizabeth Eckford Images and ask yourself the same question..why is there a black network...we should already have networks geared to every culture.
    • Joe  •  Salt Lake City, Utah  •  3 mths ago
      'Targeted' venues are RACIST and promote HATE!
      • The Method Doctor 3 mths ago
        Its okay to have Hispanic TV or Asian TV or Armenian TV? I don't think that is racist. Because America identify itself by ethnic group which of course was depicted by Whites, there should be room for all groups to exercise their cultural awareness. Diversity is good and should be shared. However, when others do not want to share in diversity then groups tend to embrace themselves.
    • ricardo  •  Monterey, California  •  3 mths ago
      So once again, lets put white, hispanics, and asians out of work because we need another all Black Network. This article about Magic doesn't make him sound like a racist does it?
      • Ray 3 mths ago
        Whites hispanics and asians are out of work anyway. Blacks wouldn't feel the need to do this if the playing field was level. A lot of non-blacks don't truly understand what being black is like for some in America. Sure there are privileged blacks but the majority are under middle class. It cannot be overstated what slavery and and stripping away of our ancestry and heritage did to us. I'm not complaining...just stating the truth.
      • j m 3 mths ago
        we need things to be more balanced on the main networks but it isn't is it?
      • Psalms 3 mths ago
        Very well said ray and JM
    • Miss Amour  •  New York, New York  •  3 mths ago
      After reading this comments I find it funny that white people hate to see other racist do well and say go back to Africa hello your family is from Europe not here, native american where here read your history. And as someone who is mixed and some who is in an interracial relationship, i find it funny that people are so stupid and wont open their eyes. TV is made of mostly white characters and it should be okly to show all racist in postive light. I think blacks and asian and latinos should have the right to should positive sides of their race. I am sure my comment wont be showing because white people will put a thumb down on it.
      • Miss 3 mths ago
        I LOVE YOUR COMMENT!!! YOU ROCK!!!!!
      • Ray 3 mths ago
        Just because a person sticks up for their race, doesn't make them a racist. But I hear you.
      • IZA 3 mths ago
        This is the REAL WORLD so get over it. If you're so thin skinned go stack up on some band aids and I'll donate $1 for your cause.
    • Big Oil is watching  •  San Diego, California  •  3 mths ago
      wheres my all white channel.. oh, that would be racist...
      • yvonne 3 mths ago
        Fox
      • The Method Doctor 3 mths ago
        Idiot! Most of the channels are all white. Where have you been the last 50 years? Other than the few cable channels(Hispanic) What are you crying about? Suck it up and deal with it.
    • AndyC  •  3 mths ago
      Another racist channel. When will white channels begin? What about the Caucasian College Fund? NAAWP? All white university? Reverse discrimination? Bigotry? Racism?
      • The Method Doctor 3 mths ago
        You sound like something that just landed here from another planet. Stop whinning. When things do not go the way you people want them, suddenly it becomes reverse racism. You feel disciminated against. PLEASE! You better read your history. Apparently no one discussed or told you about the sins of your fathers.
      • AndyC 3 mths ago
        Nice try liberal democrap. I don't buy the garbage you're trying to sell.
    • Babylonkid  •  Encino, California  •  3 mths ago
      Blacks are the most racist of them all.
    • D  •  Albany, New York  •  3 mths ago
      Funny we had a huge war so everyone could be equal, and now blacks want everything separate. Blacks have magazines, tv, radio, and my favorite black pride but don't say white pride then you belong in the KKK. Whites would be sued, jailed, and called every name in the book if they had an all white magazine or tv show.
    • John  •  3 mths ago
      he can start with the life and times of Whitney. Why can't we all ( Americans ) just be Americans? By the way "Magic", your abt. 4 th on the list. Last one to start the bigot station was/is Oprah and it's not doing so well.
      Maybe you should stay with whats working for you, eating!
    • George Z  •  Toronto, Canada  •  3 mths ago
      looks like Spike Lee and Sheri Shepard will have a new fave station to promote.
    • George  •  Portland, Oregon  •  3 mths ago
      I can't believe magic said his has hiv but he live 20 years.... be he lied us. He not have hiv !
    • Titoli  •  Panama City, Florida  •  3 mths ago
      When will it be Just Americans ?
    • JAZZHAWK12  •  Milwaukee, Wisconsin  •  3 mths ago
      What?....BET 2
    • cccccccccccccccccc  •  Reston, Virginia  •  3 mths ago
      When is Tiger gonna start a Blonde channel so that whites can shut up, is Kobe a partner to these new hispanic channels? just checking
    • QT  •  Frankfort, Kentucky  •  3 mths ago
      BET is owned by VIACOM.....not longer black owned, TV ONE is not available in all media markets, and OWN just happenes to be OWNED by a BLACK woman. AND the MAJORITY has the rest of the programming. So if your offended by Aspire then don't watch!
    • Masc  •  Albany, New York  •  3 mths ago
      Soooooooo, this should only have one show then. COSBY
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