Magic Johnson to Fill Black TV Void

There is a lot of buzz about Magic' s network. I hope it is as good as it sounds. I watch a variety of TV, but it would be great to turn to a news channel and see people that look like me delivering all of the news and not just the sports or weather. I am excited and I hope that Magic's touch is just as good on this as well.

When Comcast took a majority stake in NBC Universal, the cable giant promised to launch 10 minority-owned independent networks over a period of eight years. Making good on that commitment, it has announced that at least two will have big name African Americans at their helms, with Sean "Diddy" Combs and Earvin "Magic" Johnson on board as majority owners of unique new channels.

Diddy's Revolt Network, coming in 2013, will be all about music and pop culture -- in his words, "We're gonna be like the CNN or ESPN of music." And Johnson's Aspire promises positive programming for black families beginning in summer 2012. Both celebs say they plan to fill gaps in programming, and more -- they'll create opportunities for African Americans in front of the camera and behind the scenes.

At an event at Washington, D.C.'s Newseum Wednesday night to celebrate the upcoming launches of the networks, The Root caught up with Johnson to talk about his idea of good television, his vision for Aspire and the "unmet need" he hopes it will fill."

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