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After spending years in the pop culture scene, former NBA super star Magic Johnson and rap sensation P. Diddy are familiar with appearing on television. But now, the two are crossing the platform from TV stars to network owners, thanks to a deal with Comcast.
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The cable provider announced today that it will launch four minority-owned stations in the next two years-one of which belonging to Johnson and another owned by Sean "P. Diddy" Combs, reported the AP.
Revolt, the name of the rapper's soon-to-be channel, will air programming that includes music videos, live performances, music news and interviews. Combs will be collaborating with MTV veteran Andy Schuon working towards a 2013 release date.
But perhaps the station's most significant advantage is in its timing, Combs said according to the AP.
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"Revolt is the first channel created entirely from the ground up in this new era of social media," said Combs. He likened the television station to today's social networks, describing it as "immediate."
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According to Combs, the new station is about much more than bringing viewing content to its audience. The "Get Him to the Greek" star said Revolt is about addressing the need for minority owned television networks.
"Thank you to Comcast, my hat goes off to you for being the first to step up," the actor and clothing line owner said in a YouTube video announcement. "Revolt TV is bringing that revolution that television needs."
Combs emphasized the importance of providing a platform for new artists to showcase their work.
"It's your channel baby," he said in the video. "It's your channel to do what you want how you wanna do it. It's a channel that will give new artists an opportunity to be seen and get heard."
Johnson also intends to be motivational with his upcoming network, called Aspire. The new Comcast addition will focus on creating positive programming aimed at black families, and will broadcast movies, documentaries, music and comedy.
"Aspire will be a network that encourages and challenges African Americans to reach for their dreams," Johnson said according to the AP.
The Hall of Fame basketball player expressed his excitement about grounding the new station, adding that Aspire is aimed at positively depicting the black community at large.
"This is so exciting for me, I'm pinching myself," Johnson said to The Los Angeles Times in a phone interview. "I wanted a vehicle to show positive images and to have stories written, produced and directed by African Americans for our community."
And fans expressed their view on the new Comcast venture via Twitter.
