gmc Announces Additions to Summer of Music

Original inspirational music series and specials give gmc viewers a summer of gospel sounds

ATLANTA, July 28, 2010 – gmc, America’s favorite channel for uplifting music and family entertainment, today announced its newest additions to the summer of original music programming, including Soul Train Gospel Experience, Superfest, as well as its ongoing music-themed lineup including Four: Southern Gospel's Best and Gaither Gospel Hour.

“With millions of gospel and Christian music fans attending summer gospel music festivals this is the perfect time to introduce our new music series,” said Charley Humbard, president, gmc.

Premiering August 1 at 9 PM ET, Soul Train Gospel Experience will feature some of the best Soul Train episodes that include superstar gospel performances. Soul Train, a true cultural phenomenon, includes performances by Usher, Kirk Franklin, BeBe & CeCe Winans, Take 6, Deitrick Haddon, and the Winans.

Superfest, starting another new season on August 1 at 10 PM ET, will bring viewers the best of the concert series, featuring fantastic performances from many of gospel fans’ favorite artists including: Richard Smallwood, J. Moss, Karen Clark Sheard, Hezekiah Walker, Kiki Sheard, and Regina Belle. Other performers include Trin-i-tee 5:7, The Whispers, Mary Mary, and Dorinda Clarke Cole.

gmc continues as the leader in gospel music programming starting each day with Wake Up Call, gmc’s lunchtime series, Uplifting Music Videos, Top Spin 10 Countdown, the nightly Midnight Gospel Hour, Soulful Voices and Espiritu Latino on weekend nights, as well as Sunday morning’s One Voice Worship, Four: Southern Gospel’s Best and Gaither Gospel Hour.

Saturday August 21, gmc will cover the Bud Billiken Parade, the largest African American parade in the country featuring the most dynamic marching bands, hosted by Steve Harvey (tape delay from August 14). gmc continues its weekly original production with gmc Insiders, coverage of various gospel and inspirational music events such as the Switchfoot Bro-Am, the Verizon Wireless “How Sweet the Sound” National Choir Competition, Celebrate Freedom concerts, GRAMMY-nominated Christian artist Matthew West’s latest project The Story of Your Life and an interview with Regie Hamm, who did the music composition and scoring for one of the most widely seen Christian movies of all time, “The Left Behind” series.

gmc also continues its weekly production of the original music series Top Spin 10 Countdown airing Fridays at noon and Saturdays at 8 AM ET. And gmc viewers can end the summer with Gospel Music Heritage Month in September, with exclusive artist interviews and features celebrating the rich heritage and future of gospel and Christian music.

In addition, gmc features the fan favorites Dove and Stellar awards. The 2010 Dove Awards this April delivered more than 300K viewers and outperformed the 2009 premiere HH rating by +54%.The 25th Stellar Awards in February was gmc’s highest-rated telecast and outperformed the 2009 premiere HH Rtg by +37%, A18-49s delivery by +75% and A25-54 delivery by +69%. Additionally, among African American households, the Stellar Awards was gmc’s best performing telecast ever (adults & women 18–49 and adults and women 25–54). It outperformed the 2009 premiere Blk HH Rtg by +43%, Blk A18-49s delivery by+78% and Blk A25-54 delivery by+71%

gmc’s Video on Demand music offerings for 2009 and 2010 have racked up over 10 million views. Gospel music fans turn to www.watchgmctv.com, the number-one fan destination, for the latest news and information about their favorite artists in gospel music.

About gmc
gmc (www.watchgmctv.com), America’s favorite channel for uplifting music and  family entertainment, is the fastest-growing network in television and the number one digital network in perceived value (source: BETA Research). gmc can be seen in over 47 million homes on various cable systems around the country, on DIRECTV on channel 338 and on Verizon FiOS on channel 224.