A major trade has just taken place folks!

Soul Train, which got of to a rocking start last year on the new station BounceTV, but lately has hit a rookie wall has been traded to upstart network ASPiRE TV ran by Magic Johnson.

So far, it looks to just air on weekdays.

http://www.aspire.tv/shows/soul-train

Interesting news. But then again, Magic Johnson now has shares in Soul Train (I think) so that explains it...

Yes! Magic owns the Soul Train brand now. He has his hands in everything now.I'm sure the Soul Train brand purchase. Which i didn't understand at first, was part of the over all plan for his new cable network I'm very proud of him..

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Aspire Network Launches, Earvin 'Magic' Johnson Aims To Inspire African-American Community

Magic Johnson launched the Aspire network with a mix of original programming aimed at African-American viewers.

Earvin "Magic" Johnson added yet another pillar to his ever-growing business empire on Wednesday evening, officially launching his “Aspire” cable network. Distributed via Comcast, FAVE TV and Time Warner Cable networks, Aspire will feature an array of original programming centered on music, comedy, inspirational shows, documentaries and short films, according to a press release.

The new network will be available in 7 million homes and 16 of the top 25 African-American markets, including New York City, Atlanta, Chicago and Washington, DC.

During the network’s star-studded launch event at New York’s Cipriani Dolci, Johnson, a savvy media maverick and NBA Hall of Famer, explained his hopes for Aspire.

“My vision is to really bring great family programming to an audience that has been underserved when it comes to that, and bring quality, smart programming,” Johnson said. “The African American creative community is really excited about it. When you think about it, we have great actors, writers, directors, producers, and now they have a platform to bring their content to us or to work with us."

Aspire aims to differ from other networks focused on the African-American demographic, such as BET. Its backers say Aspire will shine a light on the positive contributions African Americans have made to American culture and highlight ground-breakers and game-changers.

“It has been a long-held dream of mine to launch a television network that offers viewers inspiring and positive portrayals of African-American lifestyles, accomplishments and talent, while also creating opportunities for the next generation of artists and storytellers,” Johnson said.

Some of those ground-breakers will stand out in the channel's programming. Award-winning actor Laurence Fishburne will host “Groundbreaking Movies,” actor and comedian Jonathan Slocumb will host “Groundbreaking Comedies,” actor Omari Hardwick will host “ABFF Independent,” and Grammy Award-winning musician Esperanza Spalding will host “Groundbreaking Music.”

[Edited 6/29/12 19:12pm]

KCOOLMUZIQ said:

Yes! Magic owns the Soul Train brand now. He has his hands in everything now.I'm sure the Soul Train brand purchase. Which i didn't understand at first, was part of the over all plan for his new cable network I'm very proud of him..

.

Aspire Network Launches, Earvin 'Magic' Johnson Aims To Inspire African-American Community

Magic Johnson launched the Aspire network with a mix of original programming aimed at African-American viewers.

Earvin "Magic" Johnson added yet another pillar to his ever-growing business empire on Wednesday evening, officially launching his “Aspire” cable network. Distributed via Comcast, FAVE TV and Time Warner Cable networks, Aspire will feature an array of original programming centered on music, comedy, inspirational shows, documentaries and short films, according to a press release.

The new network will be available in 7 million homes and 16 of the top 25 African-American markets, including New York City, Atlanta, Chicago and Washington, DC.

During the network’s star-studded launch event at New York’s Cipriani Dolci, Johnson, a savvy media maverick and NBA Hall of Famer, explained his hopes for Aspire.

“My vision is to really bring great family programming to an audience that has been underserved when it comes to that, and bring quality, smart programming,” Johnson said. “The African American creative community is really excited about it. When you think about it, we have great actors, writers, directors, producers, and now they have a platform to bring their content to us or to work with us."

Aspire aims to differ from other networks focused on the African-American demographic, such as BET. Its backers say Aspire will shine a light on the positive contributions African Americans have made to American culture and highlight ground-breakers and game-changers.

“It has been a long-held dream of mine to launch a television network that offers viewers inspiring and positive portrayals of African-American lifestyles, accomplishments and talent, while also creating opportunities for the next generation of artists and storytellers,” Johnson said.

Some of those ground-breakers will stand out in the channel's programming. Award-winning actor Laurence Fishburne will host “Groundbreaking Movies,” actor and comedian Jonathan Slocumb will host “Groundbreaking Comedies,” actor Omari Hardwick will host “ABFF Independent,” and Grammy Award-winning musician Esperanza Spalding will host “Groundbreaking Music.”

[Edited 6/29/12 19:12pm]

I just discovered this channel yesterday and so far I like it! It shows the good classic shows like "I Spy", "The Bill Cosby Show", "Julia", "Flip Wilson", "Soul Train", etc. Right now they are showing a special on Dorothy Dandridge's performances Wonder if his new network will do better than Oprah's Own network?

[Edited 6/29/12 21:01pm]

Interesting

A sincere thanks to everybody for the news about Soul Train and A.S.P.I.R.E.

It seems that A.S.P.I.R.E does have interesting ideas to emphasize

music, documentaries, and independent film and T.V. shows from

African-Americans.

But the great and unique advantage of Bounce is that it is available to

people who cannot afford basic cable (or more expensive cable subscriptions)

Direct TV, or Dish Network.

All these people need to do is either afford a TV that can get

digital subchannels or have access to one that does.

There is a large quantity of people of all races who live

at this budget level but want & do use alternatives to the existing airwave broadcast TV channels.

As positively intended as A.S.P.I.R.E. may aspire, it does have a very large survival challenge

as it is competes against the established BET, Centric, and TV One (which it is assumed Comcast

shall continue to operate even though it is a business partner and probably the main seller

of commercial sponsorships for A.S.P.I.R.E. such as Wal Mart, the Chrysler, etc.)

If any person has any honest type of positive morality

he/she would hope that Bounce, because it is this unique type of alternative to existing channels

would be able to grow and serve, free of new competition for audience & commercial sponsors.

DJK said:

A sincere thanks to everybody for the news about Soul Train and A.S.P.I.R.E.

It seems that A.S.P.I.R.E does have interesting ideas to emphasize

music, documentaries, and independent film and T.V. shows from

African-Americans.

But the great and unique advantage of Bounce is that it is available to

people who cannot afford basic cable (or more expensive cable subscriptions)

Direct TV, or Dish Network.

All these people need to do is either afford a TV that can get

digital subchannels or have access to one that does.

There is a large quantity of people of all races who live

at this budget level but want & do use alternatives to the existing airwave broadcast TV channels.

As positively intended as A.S.P.I.R.E. may aspire, it does have a very large survival challenge

as it is competes against the established BET, Centric, and TV One (which it is assumed Comcast

shall continue to operate even though it is a business partner and probably the main seller

of commercial sponsorships for A.S.P.I.R.E. such as Wal Mart, the Chrysler, etc.)

If any person has any honest type of positive morality

he/she would hope that Bounce, because it is this unique type of alternative to existing channels

would be able to grow and serve, free of new competition for audience & commercial sponsors.

ASPiRE reminds me of that short lived Black Family Station ran by the likes of Marlon Jacksn, Evander Hollyfield and Robert Townsend in the early 2000s. It didn't last to long, But this was pre-TVOne and pre Centric (when Centric was known as BEt on Jazz.)

Master P is supposed to have a station also ...

No Directv I see...............

DJK said:

A sincere thanks to everybody for the news about Soul Train and A.S.P.I.R.E.

It seems that A.S.P.I.R.E does have interesting ideas to emphasize

music, documentaries, and independent film and T.V. shows from

African-Americans.

But the great and unique advantage of Bounce is that it is available to

people who cannot afford basic cable (or more expensive cable subscriptions)

Direct TV, or Dish Network.

All these people need to do is either afford a TV that can get

digital subchannels or have access to one that does.

There is a large quantity of people of all races who live

at this budget level but want & do use alternatives to the existing airwave broadcast TV channels.

As positively intended as A.S.P.I.R.E. may aspire, it does have a very large survival challenge

as it is competes against the established BET, Centric, and TV One (which it is assumed Comcast

shall continue to operate even though it is a business partner and probably the main seller

of commercial sponsorships for A.S.P.I.R.E. such as Wal Mart, the Chrysler, etc.)

If any person has any honest type of positive morality

he/she would hope that Bounce, because it is this unique type of alternative to existing channels

would be able to grow and serve, free of new competition for audience & commercial sponsors.

Exactly. When I had cable, it was because I shared a house with someone else and they had cable but could only afford basic cable. And now that I live completely alone in my own place, not only can I not afford basic cable, but I don't even want it. The channels on the converter box are much better anyway and they don't have reality shows which is a major plus for them.