GMC Announces New Programming Slate

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GOSPEL MUSIC CHANNEL EXPANDS ORIGINAL PRODUCTION & DEVELOPMENT, UNVEILS HIGHLIGHTS OF 2008-09 PROGRAMMING SLATE

Contact: Jim Weiss, Gospel Music Channel, 770-692-4579, Jim@gospelmusicchannel.com

ATLANTA, June 16 /Christian Newswire/ -- Gospel Music Channel (GMC), the fastest growing cable network in the nation, announced today an expansion of original programming along with highlights of the network's 2008-09 programming slate - a schedule highlighted by both new and renewed series and original specials and events. Gospel Music Channel's upcoming schedule is made up of more than 75 percent original programming, an increase of more than 25 percent and designed to mirror GMC's industry-leading gains in distribution.

For two consecutive years, GMC has been the fastest growing television network in America and can currently be seen in 40 million homes across the country on DIRECTV channel 338, cable systems including Comcast, Time Warner, Cox, Charter and more, as well as on Verizon FiOS. Gospel Music Channel is the first and only 24/7 television network dedicated to the rich history and contemporary sounds of Gospel/Christian music and its many different genres and artists. Whether the gospel is Rock, Pop, Country or Soul, Gospel Music Channel crosses cultures and generations.

The following new series premiere on GMC during the 2008-09 season:

Bobby Jones: Next Generation. Dr. Bobby Jones, the man who helped revolutionize gospel music as a creator, producer, director and performer, brings his explosive and colorful personality to Gospel Music Channel on Sunday nights at 8:00 p.m. ET/PT. Bobby Jones: Next Generation is an hour-long showcase of musical performances and interviews with up-and-coming performers which premiered this month. Gospel star Lisa Kimmey co-hosts.
Gospel Dream 2008. GMC's answer to American Idol® offers performers from across the country an opportunity to achieve their dreams, with the Gospel Dream winner receiving a record and music video deal and a Royal Caribbean Cruise. This multi-part reality series returned to GMC for a third season this month.
Gospel Playhouse. This weekly musical dramady series will be a first for GMC and is being developed by acclaimed playwright and actor J.D. Lawrence. Many of the series' characters will be derived from his sold-out gospel plays. Premiere date: Q1 2009.
Comedy Quickies! This new, original short-form comedy series highlights the funniest Christian comedians on the circuit. Comedy Quickies! will run throughout the day on GMC, with family-friendly stand-up, sketches and clips from the comedy scene. Premiere date: Q3 2008.
Revolve! Top rock, pop and hip-hop artists join the cast on the enormously-popular Revolve Tour bus and head across the country to major summer music festivals and events filled with thousands of teenagers. This unique reality series will look in on the group's adventures and all the real drama that takes place on the road. The journey ends up at the first Revolve conference of the 2008/09 season in Columbus, Ohio. Premiere date: Q4 2008.
Four! America's greatest quartets are featured in this new weekly series to premiere in Q2 2009.

Series being renewed include: The Kitchen Sink, Faith & Fame, Front Row Live, Gaither Gospel Hour, Hometown Gospel, The Best of the GMA Dove Awards and Espíritu Latino.

GMC specials and events include:

GMA 40th Annual Dove Awards. Gospel and Christian music's biggest night of the year will air live on GMC from Nashville in April 2009. GMC will precede its second live airing of this prestigious event with a Best of the Doves series marathon and special Dove Awards episodes of the GMC original series The Kitchen Sink.
Robert Randolph & Friends All Star Gospel Jam. GMC presents Robert Randolph – one of Rolling Stone magazine's 100 greatest guitarists of all-time – and friends in the ultimate Gospel/Christian jam from the Beacon Theater in New York. Special guests include Dave Mathews, Third Day and many more. In production Q1 2009.
Home for the Holidays 2008. GMC is transformed into "America's Christmas Channel" to reflect the spirit of the Christmas season with a customized on-air look including vignettes with Gospel/Christian stars and an array of holiday specials featuring superstar entertainers. New original specials include "Christmas at Union Station" (dynamic performances taped at Nashville's legendary train station and hotel) and "Christmas Voices" (great holiday performances and songs).
Black History Month. GMC will present world premiere specials and concerts every Wednesday during February 2009, along with "Black History Moments" (vignettes featuring gospel's greatest black artists).

Gospel Music Channel is the nation's first and only 24/7 all music television network devoted to the uplifting, inspiring and diverse music that is Gospel/Christian music. Gospel Music Channel is the fastest-growing network in television today can be seen in nearly 40 million homes on various cable systems and nationwide on DIRECTV.