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ASPIRETV IN PRODUCTION ON SEASON TWO OF "HARLEM GLOBETROTTERS: SECRETS OF THE CITY"
ATLANTA - April 6, 2026 - AspireTV, the network that celebrates and reflects Black culture and urban lifestyle, is in production on the second season of Harlem Globetrotters: Secrets of the City from the Emmy-nominated studios of Sunwise Media and Herschend Entertainment Studios. The series was the first to be greenlit under the output deal with Sunwise Media to develop and produce multicultural programming through aspireTV Studios.
"The success of Harlem Globetrotters: Secrets of the City underscored the power of storytelling that is both globally expansive and culturally rooted," said Angela Cannon, General Manager, aspireTV. "Our viewers connected deeply with the series' celebration of Black culture, history and discovery, and we're excited to build on that momentum with a second season in partnership with Sunwise Media as the Globetrotters continue their journey around the world."
Harlem Globetrotters: Secrets of the City is a travel series that follows the Harlem Globetrotters as they span the globe on their historic 100-year world tour. The show combines adventure and cultural immersion; utilizing a documentary style that transports viewers to the soul of the city and the heart of the people wherever the team travels. The Globetrotters share untapped secrets of culture, cuisine and adventure from the most renowned cities around the globe. The Harlem Globetrotters have been touring the world for 100 years, visiting over 120 countries which has given them unfiltered access and connections to diverse cultures around the world.
The new season of Harlem Globetrotters: Secrets of the City will feature the team in Brussels, Amsterdam, Paris, Lagos, Athens, Rome, Tahiti and Chile.
"Our partnership with aspireTV helps us to deepen our relationship with our fans, giving them unprecedented access to our team, and players, as they tour countries around the globe," said Harlem Globetrotters President, Keith Dawkins.
"Season two is an exciting milestone, and we're proud that Handy Foundation apprentices have contributed to both seasons of Harlem Globetrotters: Secrets of the City," said Ri-Karlo Handy, Founder and CEO of Sunwise Media and Founder of The Handy Foundation. "With the Harlem Globetrotters' legacy as global ambassadors of goodwill, this partnership is a natural fit rooted in impact, opportunity and excellence. Serving as showrunner and leading a registered apprenticeship program, I've seen firsthand how apprenticeship strengthens the business. This show is better for it, with apprentices delivering real contributions, fresh perspectives, and production-ready talent at every level."
Secrets of the City is produced by Sunwise Media and Herschend Entertainment Studios. Keith Dawkins and Bronwen O'Keefe serve as executive producers as well as Ri-Karlo Handy.
AspireTV Studios, a purpose-driven business development strategy, is committed to supporting a more diverse and equitable creative supply chain. Together with Sunwise Media, a certified Minority Business Enterprise (MBE), aspireTV Studios will source and connect advertisers with diverse owned media, content creation, full-service production and distribution across cable, satellite and streaming platforms.
For more information, visit www.aspire.tv, facebook.com/AspireTV, @TVaspire on X, @TVaspire on Instagram and @TVaspire on YouTube. To find aspireTV on cable in your area, go to https://aspire.tv/channel. AspireTV is also available nationally on DirecTV and DISH and can also be watched on DirecTV Stream, Sling, Philo and Frndly TV.
ABOUT THE WORLD-FAMOUS HARLEM GLOBETROTTERS / HERSCHEND ENTERTAINMENT STUDIOS
The Harlem Globetrotters(R) are THE originators of basketball style; captured by their dynamic athleticism, unique skill and historical influence on the modern game of basketball. Since 1926, the Globetrotters, proud members of the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, have used their legendary global tour to showcase their iconic brand of basketball to tens of millions in over 124 countries and territories across six continents. Their series, "Harlem Globetrotters: Play it Forward," produced in partnership with Hearst Media Production Group, airs on NBC, Peacock, and Telemundo as "Harlem Globetrotters: Ganando Con La Comunidad." The hit series, which reaches a million viewers each week, garnered an Emmy nomination in its first season and put the brand back on network television for the first time in 40 years.
In addition to Hearst, other media partners include Hidden Pictures, Atmosphere TV, Reach TV, and Viral Nation. The brand continues to grow its roster of partners with expansion across a variety of categories including, consumer products, retail, travel, QSR/Food, just to name a few. Additional partnerships include, Sprayground, Undercrwn, Macys, Hybrid, Hoop Culture, Citi, Alaska Airlines, as well as our official ball partner, Spalding and our official tour partner, Jersey Mikes.
Coined by the U.S. State Department in 1951 as Ambassadors of Goodwill, the team leverages their moniker to drive its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) efforts around their strategic pillars of Health & Wellness, Education, and Community Empowerment. These efforts have yielded partnership with the likes of Microsoft, U.S. State Department Sports Diplomacy, The National Archives Foundation, 'Great Assist' in partnership with Jersey Mike's Subs, Campus Multimedia Court of Creativity, and Comic Relief Red Nose Day.
For more information about the Harlem Globetrotters and the Tour, visit the Globetrotters' official website: www.harlemglobetrotters.com. The Harlem Globetrotters(R) is a subsidiary of Herschend Enterprises, the largest family-owned themed attractions company.
About Sunwise Media
Sunwise Media, Inc. is a visionary multi-platform media company founded in 2018 by Emmy-nominated producer Ri-Karlo Handy who brings experience with BounceTV and has over 10+ years partnering with brands on content development. Handy boasts an impressive portfolio including acclaimed projects like "Rebuilding Black Wall Street," "Harlem Globetrotters: Play It Forward," "Saints & Sinners," and "Keyshia Cole: The Way It Is," adding to the company's foundation of excellence. As a Certified Minority Business Enterprise, Sunwise Media pioneers culturally relevant content, exemplified by projects such as "Unsolved History," reimagining historical narratives; "Mentoring Kings," empowering young men of color; and "Money Moves Podcast Powered by Greenwood," promoting financial literacy in collaboration with Greenwood's digital banking platform. Sunwise Media's mission is to bridge content and branding, creating socially responsible, culturally-connected content that resonates with the diverse multicultural market. By investing in multi-generational, evergreen programming and events, Sunwise Media aims to be a leading content creator serving the demand for authentic representation across all media platforms and shaping the future of inclusive media.
About UP Entertainment
UP Entertainment is the home for uplifting entertainment for passionate and diverse audiences across the leading cable, satellite and streaming platforms. Brands include UP Faith & Family, UPtv, aspireTV, aspireTV+, GaitherTV+ and Cine Romántico. UP Faith & Family is the leading subscription streaming service in uplifting entertainment. UPtv is the trusted network for adults seeking positive programming with relatable stories about relationships, filled with love and laughter, through exclusive premiere movies, box-office hit films and beloved series. AspireTV is the television network that celebrates and reflects Black culture, life and style in a way that is inspiring, authentic and entertaining. AspireTV+ is a new subscription streaming service for Black culture and urban lifestyle entertainment. GaitherTV+ provides access to Gaither's renowned and growing library of full-length award-winning Country, Gospel, Bluegrass and Christian concerts and specials, early premieres of new performances and shows, and exclusive behind-the-scenes interviews. UP Entertainment in partnership with PixL Dos, also manages and distributes Cine Romántico, a FAST channel featuring the best of Hollywood TV romance movies in Spanish. Additionally, UP Entertainment represents partner brand Ovation TV, an independent television, production, and digital media company, with an unparalleled commitment to the arts, culture and entertainment. UP Entertainment's award-winning pro-social initiative, "UPlift Someone," has inspired over 200 million people to uplift others through its social videos.
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