Comcast to launch networks by Diddy, Magic Johnson

Back when Comcast was doing the Washington Stations of the Cross — while on its journey to a majority stake in NBCUniversal 2.0 — the cable behemoth made “voluntary public interest commitments” to launch 10 minority-owned independent networks over eight years.

Four of the networks would be majority-owned by African Americans, two would be majority-owned by Latino Americans, two would be operated by Latino American programmers and the final two would provide something called additional “independent programming.” And each network would be added to select Comcast systems as part of its basic tier of digital service.

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On Tuesday, Comcast announced that it had selected four lucky winners from more than 100 submissions. Please congratulate:

●Sean P Puff Diddy Daddy Combs

●Magic Johnson

●Robert Rodriguez

●Said Schwarz

Sean P Puff Diddy Daddy Combs is the Ryan Seacrest of his new network Revolt, which is “designed to have programming inspired by music and pop culture, including music videos, live performance, music news and interviews.” The network will “incorporate social media interaction for music artists and fans,” Comcast said. Diddy is partnering with MTV veteran Andy Schuon.

Earvin “Magic” Johnson, meanwhile is the Oprah of Aspire — a channel that will deliver “enlightening, entertaining and positive programming to African American families,” including movies, documentaries, short films, music, comedy, visual and performing arts, and “faith and inspirational programs,” Comcast said. Johnson is partnering with GMC TV (formerly Gospel Music TV), which is run by its founder, Charles Humbard — former Discovery networks executive and son of televised evangelism pioneer Rex Humbard.

El Rey, from Hollywood director Robert Rodriguez and FactoryMade Ventures suits John Fogelman and Cristina Patwa, will be an “action-packed, general entertainment network in English for Latino and general audiences,” Comcast said.

Finally, BabyFirst Americas, proposed by Spanish-language TV vet Constantino “Said” Schwarz, will emphasize early-childhood development of verbal, math and motor skills.

Of ‘Community’ and Betty

“Community” has been returned to NBC’s Thursday prime-time schedule. The republic is now safe.

On the other hand, Betty White is NBC’s latest answer to its Wednesday ratings woes — a sure sign the apocalypse is near.

Yes, NBC will make more changes to its Wednesday and Thursday lineups — resulting, the struggling network boasted Tuesday, in the highest percentage of original prime-time programs ever: a mere 13 hours of reruns across the week through mid-May.

In a tangle-of-weeds news release, NBC announced that “Community” would return March 15 at 8 p.m. — bumping “30 Rock” to 8:30 — followed by “The Office” at 9 and “Up All Night” at 9:30.

“Parks and Recreation,” you might have noticed, winds up with no seat in this game of musical chairs. NBC promises the show will return April 19 at 9:30, once “Up All Night” ends its 24-episode order.

On Wednesdays starting March 7, “Rock Center With Brian Williams” is moving from 9 to 10. But only for five weeks: It’ll go back to 9 on April 11, so that “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit” can return with new episodes that night at 10, leading up to its season finale May 23.