- 100 hours of original programming, including, Gospel Angels, a hurricane relief concert; Gospel Dream 2005, an American Idol-style national talent search; and Faith and Fame, an artist biography series

- World television premieres of Third Day's Live Wire concert, Grammy award-winning Ben Harper and the Blind Boys of Alabama Live at the Apollo, and Ray Charles Celebrates a Gospel Christmas concert, and the NFL Super Bowl of Gospel

- Contracts with Cox, Charter, Verizon, 17 independents

- Top advertisers including Ford, Lincoln-Mercury, Geico, Sony Pictures, NBC, Black Radiance, Zondervan, Reckitt Benckiser (Woolite, Lysol, French's mustard), Time Life, and Unilever

- Nearly 3.5 million subscribers to date in 61 Markets and 350 cities

- Media coverage including NBC Nightly News, Fox News Channel, CNN, USA Today, The New York Times, New York Daily News, Billboard, The Belle Report, Hollywood Reporter, and Advertising Age

- Secured exclusive rights to 36 years of Dove Awards, the Gospel Music Association's premier award show for all styles of Gospel and Christian music

"The success of Gospel Music Channel has been driven by the large, passionate fan base across America that wants music that is relevant to their lives and a positive entertainment alternative," said Charley Humbard, former general manager of Discovery Channel's digital networks and son of America's first televangelist Rex Humbard.  Humbard, who co-founded Gospel Music Channel with Brad Siegel, the former president of Turner Entertainment Networks, continued by saying, "In addition to our industry successes, community and church leaders have embraced the network and asked their congregations to make Gospel Music Channel a 'must-have' on their cable systems and in their communities."

"The timing couldn't have been better for a venture like this," said Siegel, citing the explosion of the gospel and Christian music industry with more than $1 billion in album sales annually; 1400 gospel/Christian radio stations across America; and 80 million listeners.  "The response from our cable affiliates and advertisers has been extremely enthusiastic.

This is a great affirmation of our belief that this network will be successful and profitable."

GOSPEL DREAM 2005: Among its most ambitious projects is the Gospel Music Channel's Gospel Dream 2005 series - an American Idol-style, nationally-televised talent search airing this fall and culminating with the final competition staged at Atlanta's historic Tabernacle venue. 21 semi-finalists, chosen from seven regional auditions, will compete for a recording contract with Zomba Gospel - a division of the Sony/BMG family which has turned out albums for top gospel and Christian artists including Kirk Franklin, Donnie McClurkin, Fred Hammond, Michael W. Smith, Third Day, and Casting Crowns.  The Gospel Dream 2005 semi-finals and finals air Wednesday, Nov. 30 and Thursday, Dec. 1 at 8:00 p.m. (check local listings).

YEAR TWO: Building on the success of its debut year, the Gospel Music Channel launches its second year with an aggressive plan to secure additional major cable and satellite carrier commitments, with a strong focus on the top 20 U.S. markets. The channel also plans to launch a slate of additional original programming.