Aspire (TV network)

Aspire is an American pay television channel targeting African Americans. The network was launched by Magic Johnson on June 27, 2012.

For the Australian television network, see Aspire TV.

Aspire
CountryUnited States
Broadcast areaUnited States
SloganSee yourself here
HeadquartersAtlanta, Georgia
Programming
Picture format1080i HDTV
(downscaled to letterboxed 480i for the SDTV feed)
Ownership
OwnerMagic Johnson Enterprises
History
LaunchedJune 27, 2012 (2012-06-27)
Links
Websitewww.aspire.tv
Availability
Satellite
DirecTVChannel 381 (HD)
IPTV
Verizon FiOSChannel 272 (SD)
Channel 772 (HD)
AT&T U-verseChannel 158 (SD)
Channel 1158 (HD)
ComcastChannel 120 (SD)
Streaming media
PhiloOTT subscription
AT&T TVOTT subscription

History

As part of its arrangement to acquire a minority interest in NBCUniversal, Comcast Corporation committed to carry several minority-owned channels.[1] The arrangement followed pressure led by Maxine Waters in congressional hearings.[2] In April 2011, Comcast solicited proposals for minority-owned networks.[3] In February 2012, Comcast announced distribution arrangements for four networks, including Aspire.[4] The four announced networks and six forthcoming stations are being chosen from among an excess of 100 proposals to begin airing by 2020.

Aspire also holds the broadcast rights to a selection of CIAA college football games involving historically black colleges and universities.

See also
  • BET – The flagship American basic cable and satellite channel of the ViacomCBS Domestic Media Networks, currently owned by ViacomCBS, which launched in 1980 as the first television network devoted to programming targeting African-Americans.
    • BET Her - A spinoff/sister network targeting African-American women.
  • Bounce TV – an American digital multicast network owned by E. W. Scripps Company.
  • TV One - a cable and satellite network targeting African-Americans, owned by Urban One.
    • Cleo TV - a spinoff/sister network targeting African-American women.

Notes
  1. Stelter, Brian (February 20, 2012). "Hip Hop Mogul to Unveil Plan for Music Cable Channel". The New York Times. Retrieved February 24, 2012.
  2. Braxton, Greg and Meg James (February 21, 2012). "Laker legend to launch a TV network:Magic Johnson's channel, Aspire, will be carried by Comcast and focus on blacks". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved February 24, 2012.
  3. Jensen, David (April 4, 2011). "Comcast Begins Effort to Launch 10 Independent Networks". Comcast. Retrieved February 24, 2012.
  4. Guthrie, Marisa (February 21, 2012). "Comcast to Launch Networks Backed by Sean Combs, Magic Johnson and Robert Rodriguez". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved February 24, 2012.
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