Magic Johnson to Launch ASPIRE TV Network Focusing on ‘Positive, Uplifting Images’ of African-Americans

The next time you hear "Magic Johnson" and "Showtime!" in the same sentence, it could mean a very different thing than what you were expecting.

The Hall-of-Famer is reportedly set to launch his own television network named "ASPIRE," with an emphasis on programming targeted at an African-American audience.

"This is so exciting for me, I'm pinching myself," Johnson told the Los Angeles Times. "This is big for myself, for the African-American community and the African-American creative community."

Johnson says the network, which is launching in June with a partnership with Comcast, will focus on "positive, uplifting images" of African-Americans, with a mix of TV, film, comedy and music.

In its deal with the FCC and the Department of Justice, Comcast reportedly agreed to work on diversifying the television network landscape in order to gain approval for its merger with NBC. So, the cable company is expected to launch 10 new independently owned cable channels backed by African Americans and Latinos, with Johnson's ASPIRE apparently being the first one.