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Tuesday, February 21, 2012

Comcast backs Magic, Diddy, Rodriguez networks

Comcast has signed deals to "broadly distribute" two African American and two Latino/crossover TV networks over the next four years, as part of last year's promise to support 10 minority-owned cable groups while applying to get its NBC Universal takeover approved. Statement here. Summary:

1) BabyFirst Americas: Constantino "Said" Schwarz proposes an educational network forcused on babies, toddlers, parents, to debut this April.

2) Aspire - led by ex-NBA star Earvin "Magic" Johnson, "in partnership with GMC TV, Aspire plans black-theme "movies, documentaries, short films, music, comedy, visual and performing arts, and faith and inspirational programs" by this summer.

3) Revolt -Proposed by music and clothing vendor Sean “Diddy” Combs and MTV's Andy Schuon, Revolt will offer "programming inspired by music and pop culture, including music videos, live performances, music news, and interviews and will incorporate social media interaction for music artists and fans." Revolt "will be immediate, like today's social networks," said Combs in a statement. Projected start date: 2013. 

4) El Rey - Hollywood movie director Robert Rodriguez joins FactoryMade Ventures bosses John Fogelman and Cristina Patwa to offer "an action-packed, general entertainment network in English for Latino and general audiences" including "a mix of reality, scripted and animated series, movies, documentaries, news, music, comedy, and sports programming." Deal calls for a January 2014 launch.

Adds Comcast: "Ultimately, each of the 10 networks will be added on select Comcast systems as part of the digital basic tier of service."
Posted by Joseph N. DiStefano @ 12:11 PM  Permalink | 4 comments
Comments   
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 12:45 PM, 02/21/2012
    Great, more redundant and useless channels to run my cable bill up.
    — jimmymack
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 2:10 PM, 02/21/2012
    Revolt? Interesting choice of names for a hip hop station.
    — gone with the wind
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 2:53 PM, 02/21/2012
    ''Aspire plans black-theme "movies, documentaries, short films, music, comedy, visual and performing arts, and faith and inspirational programs" by this summer.'' So where's the ''white theme'' movies, documentaries, short films, music, comedy, visual and performing arts, and faith and inspirational programs? Or is the white race supposed to lay down and roll over for this obvious racial insult to the white race? I'm sick of this reverse discrimination, as most white people are sick of it. There is no excuse or room for ''black theme'' anything. Either this nation is proud to have a ''melting pot'' mentality and prohibits outright racist programming like Aspire or it's a nation that promotes racist views and accepts outright racial attacks. Personally, I find this constant singling out and glorification of the black race in the media infuriating. And I don't tolerate it in public or private. But corporations will never end their stooping to lower levels to line their pockets with $$$.

    — your SLEDGEHAMMER
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 4:15 PM, 02/21/2012
    You already have your own channel for idiots, it's call Fox News. Why can't your people be happy with what you already have and have to complain when someone with new money and ambition tries something new?
    — Fernando08


4 comments
About Joseph N. DiStefano
Joseph N. DiStefano writes this blog to feed his PhillyDeals column in the Philadelphia Inquirer. Joe has been a member of Bloomberg LP’s New York Finance Team, wrote the book “Comcasted,” taught writing at St. Joseph’s University, and studied economics and history at Penn. Reach Joe at 215-854-5194 and JoeD@phillynews.com
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