In addition, GMC ranked #1 in "audience attentiveness to advertising" and #1 in "feeling comfortable viewing with family" in a recent major advertising industry research report. These results come at a time when the network is enjoying the strongest period of growth across all facets of business since its launch just 28 months ago.
Results of the annual Beta Research Cable Operator Study found that Gospel Music Channel ranks as the #1 emerging or mid-size network among cable providers with large systems in large. Gospel Music Channel rated ahead of two dozen other cable networks, including The NFL Network, WE: Women's Entertainment, Soapnet, Hallmark Movie Channel, The Tennis Channel and Lifetime Real Women.
GMC is now seen in more than 100 markets in the US, representing more than 3,000 cities and towns coast-to-coast. It added one million subscribers in the fourth quarter of 2006 alone.
Comcast Cable, the nation's largest cable programming provider, has added GMC in such major cities as Chicago, Washington DC, Memphis, Salt Lake City, Baltimore, Richmond and Portland OR, in addition to already carrying Gospel Music Channel in Atlanta, Nashville and Detroit.
Gospel Music Channel's growth extends to its expansion of world premiere original programming production. Gospel Music Channel has become the largest producer of original Gospel/Christian music television in the world, producing more than 200 hours of concerts, series, specials and video with a commitment to producing the majority of new content in High Definition.
Gospel Music Channel also just launched a seven-channel video on demand (VOD) service offering all genres on Gospel/Christian music. Gospel Music Channel On Demand is already available in more than 10 million homes and ranks among the top third in popularity and usage.
Charles Humbard, president and chief executive officer, Gospel Music Channel, said, "It is very gratifying and humbling that our vision to provide family-friendly entertainment programming with strong Christian values is being embraced on so many levels.
"We look forward to continued growth and success in the months ahead and pledge to our loyal viewers that we will continue to deliver the very best that Christian and gospel music have to offer."
