Slate includes World Premiere Movies, World Premiere Gospel Plays, World Premiere Series and World Premiere Music Specials

Atlanta, GA - January 13, 2012 – GMC TV, America’s favorite television channel for uplifting music and family entertainment, announced today, a lineup of world premiere movies, world premiere gospel plays and world premiere series for 2012. From intense dramas about struggle and triumph to heartwarming, hilarious stage plays to soul stirring music specials, original GMC world premieres will continue to entertain and inspire in the New Year.

The diverse programming slate follows GMC’s most successful ratings year in 2011 and its strong ratings start in 2012 making the network the second fastest growing ad supported cable network in total day households and A18-49.

“2011 was a banner year for GMC TV as we launched our GMC World Premiere programming initiative to bring quality family-friendly programming to our viewers,” said Brad Siegel, vice chairman. “We are the only network focused on producing and delivering the best in faith-friendly family entertainment. Our robust slate of films, gospel plays, music specials and series in 2012 will continue to cement GMC as the lead destination for entertainment the entire family can enjoy.”  

Upcoming GMC world premieres include (in chronological order):

To Save a Life
GMC World Premiere Movie
Premiere: Sunday, January 29 at 7 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. ET
This inspirational film recounts the story of Jake Taylor, a well-rounded, Middle American teen who seems to have everything going for him.  When an unexpected tragedy strikes in the form of a childhood friend's death, Jake suddenly begins to question everything he had long taken for granted. He is forced to make a decision that will permanently define the course of his future. To Save A Life stars Randy Wayne and Deja Kreutzberg. Encore:  Monday, January 30 at 9 p.m.; Sunday, February 5 at 11 a.m.
 
“The Song that Changed My Life with Steven Curtis Chapman”
GMC World Premiere Music Special
Premiere: Tuesday, January 31 at 11:30 p.m. ET
This reality special centers around Grammy Award winning artist Steven Curtis Chapman and his song “When Love Takes You In“  The show chronicles the impact a song has on a family’s decision to adopt a daughter from China.
 
“27th Stellar Gospel Music Awards”
GMC Music Special
Premiere: Saturday, February 11 at 7 p.m., 9 p.m. and 11 p.m. ET
The 27th Annual Stellar Awards feature the best in traditional and contemporary gospel music. Artists compete for awards in several categories, including “Artist of the Year,” “Song of the Year” and more. The Stellar Awards is hosted by Grammy Award-winning gospel singer Dorinda Clark Cole and gospel music singer and songwriter Marvin Sapp.

A Cross to Bear
GMC World Premiere Original Movie
Premiere: Saturday, February 18 at 7 p.m., 9 p.m. and 11 p.m. ET
Erica Moses has lived on her own since the age of 14. She’s experienced an abusive relationship and suffers from an addiction to alcohol. One day she finds herself living on the street with her 15-month-old daughter with no place to go.  Erica awakes one morning in an abandoned building and discovers her baby is gone. She attempts to get her life and baby back and soon discovers the worst has happened. She settles into the home of Joan Blackford, a well-respected community figure that takes in young homeless abused women. In this new environment she discovers new relationships and is presented with the opportunity to change her life forever. A Cross to Bear  stars Kim Fields, Daniellle Deadwyler, Malinda Williams and Jackie Long.

Brother White
GMC World Premiere Movie
Premiere: Sunday, March 11 at 7 p.m. and 9 p.m. ET
Brother White is a heartwarming fish-out-of-water comedy about the power of faith and forgiveness. Packed with soulful sounds of gospel music, a guest starring performance by Grammy award-winning artist Bebe Winans and a choir that raises the roof with messages of strength, support and praise, Brother White tells the story of an associate youth pastor at a successful mega church in Southern California who gets assigned to a small community church in an inner-city neighborhood in Atlanta. Brother White stars Emmy Award-winner Jackée, Victoria Jackson, Reginald VelJohnson, David A. R White, Ray Wise and Grammy Award-Winner Bebe Winans.

“If You Really Love Me”
GMC World Premiere Gospel Play
Premiere: Saturday, March 17 at 7 p.m., 9 p.m. and 11 p.m. ET
Momma Lena comes down to Earth as an angel to check on her three daughters; Fran, Christine and Tonia. From “The Angels Corner” on the side of the stage, she narrates the play. Fran and her husband Phillip are lawyers at top law firms.  Christine is engaged to Dr. Charles Blackwell and eager to be married, however Tonia has been spending time with Dr. Blackwell, unbeknownst to her sister Christine. Casting to be announced.

“Married to the Money”
GMC World Premiere Gospel Play
Premiere: Saturday, April 14 at 7, 9 and 11 p.m. ET
A married couple loses everything and has to rely on their love for each other and God to make it through the crisis.  Casting to be announced.

Heaven’s Rain
GMC World Premiere Movie
Premiere: Sunday, April 22 at 7 p.m. and 9 p.m. ET
Heaven’s Rain is the amazing, inspiring and true story of Brooks Douglass and his sister Leslie, who survived an unthinkable attack that claimed the lives of their missionary parents but who, through faith and forgiveness eventually found triumph over tragedy. Brooks Douglass plays his father, Richard, who was a pastor, missionary and an example of the life-changing power of forgiveness. Heaven’s Rain stars Mike Vogel, Brooks Douglass, Taryn Manning, Erin Chambers, Kelly Curran, Nicholas Braico and Taylor Pigeon.

Jerusalem Countdown
GMC World Premiere Movie
Premiere: June 2012
With the Middle East in turmoil, Israel’s preeminent ally is thrust into an impending war. America is now the target as the battle for Jerusalem begins. The film is adapted from the Best Selling Book by Pastor John Hagee. When nuclear weapons are smuggled into America a Senior FBI Agent is faced with an impossible task: Find them before they are detonated. The clock is ticking and the only people who can help are a washed up arms dealer a retired agent and a by-the-book CIA deputy director. Nuclear holocaust on American soil threatens global stability and the impending destruction of the world is coming to fruition, in this film of international terror and suspense. Jerusalem Countdoun
stars David A.R White, Lee Majors, Randy Travis and Stacy Keach.

“The Song that Changed My Life with Kirk Franklin”
GMC Music Special
Premiere: June 2012
This reality special centers around Grammy Award winning artist Kirk Franklin and his song “My Life Is In Your Hands.“ The show will chronicle the impact this song had on a particular family.

GMC (www.watchGMCtv.com) is America’s favorite channel for uplifting music and family entertainment. The Parents Television Council™ awarded its Entertainment Seal of Approval™ to GMC for being “an authentic family-friendly cable network.” In 2011, GMC was the second fastest growing ad supported cable network in total day households and A18-49. GMC can be seen in over 51 million homes on various cable systems around the country, as well as DISH Network on channel 188, DIRECTV on channel 338 and Verizon FiOS on channel 224. Follow GMC TV on Facebook and Twitter at http://facebook.com/gmctv and @gmctv or http://twitter.com/gmctv.