Up | |
---|---|
Launched | October 30, 2004 |
Owned by | InterMedia Partners |
Picture format |
1080i (HDTV) 480i (SDTV) |
Slogan | We Get Family |
Country | United States |
Language | English |
Headquarters | College Park, Georgia |
Formerly called | Gospel Music Channel (2004–10) GMC TV (2010–13) |
Website | uptv |
Availability
|
|
Satellite | |
DirecTV | 338 (SD) |
Dish Network | 188 (SD) |
IPTV | |
AT&T U-verse | 1369 (HD) 369 (SD) |
Verizon FiOS | 738 (HD) 238 (SD) |
Up TV (short for "Uplifting Entertainment" and stylized as UP), formerly GMC TV and originally Gospel Music Channel, is an American satellite and cable television network that was founded to have a focus on gospel music. It has expanded into family-friendly original movies, series, and specials.
Up TV is owned by InterMedia Partners.
As of February 2015, the channel is available to approximately 67.6 million pay television households (58.1% of households with television) in the United States.
The Gospel Music Channel was founded in 2004 by Charles Humbard, the son of televangelist Rex Humbard. It was devoted to gospel music. With Brad Siegel, former president of Turner Broadcasting's Turner Entertainment Networks, as vice chairman, Humbard launched GMC on October 30, 2004. Gospel Music Channel programmed gospel/Christian music, featuring all styles, including traditional and contemporary gospel, Christian rock and pop, southern gospel, and Christian metal. Each weeknight, the network's lineup featured a different genre of music.
In addition to music video blocks, the network began to produce original shows, such as Faith and Fame (artist biographies), Front Row Live (concerts), and America Sings (singing competition). The network continues to broadcast Gospel and Christian music industry award shows, including The Stellar Awards (urban gospel) and The GMA Dove Awards.
The network was re-branded on June 1, 2013 (the re-branding had been scheduled to occur on September 1, 2013).
In the transition before the name-change, in 2010, the channel began carrying popular syndicated series such as Cosby; Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman; and The Waltons. The channel also has aired films such as The Secret Garden, The Trial, and Pay It Forward, as well as Christian movies such as Facing the Giants, The Perfect Summer, and Fireproof. On Christmas Eve and Day, the network airs a Yule Log loop with holiday songs from Contemporary Christian artists. Similar to competing family networks such as FreeForm and Hallmark Channel, UP now programs multiple weeks of family-friendly Christmas movies through the holidays in December. Easter movies also populate the programming schedule through April.