 | |
| Country | United States |
|---|---|
| Headquarters | Atlanta, Georgia[1] |
| Programming | |
| Language(s) | English |
| Picture format | 1080i (HDTV) 480i (SDTV) |
| Ownership | |
| Owner | InterMedia Partners (99.9%) |
| History | |
| Launched | October 30, 2004 (20 years ago) (2004-10-30) (as the Gospel Music Channel) |
| Former names | Gospel Music Channel (2004–2010) GMC TV (2010–2013) |
| Links | |
| Website | www |
| Availability | |
| Streaming media | |
| Philo | Internet protocol television |
| DirecTV Stream | Internet protocol television |
| Frndly TV | Internet protocol television |
| Vidgo | Internet protocol television |
UP TV (stylized asUPtv; formerlyGMC TV and originallyGospel Music Channel) is an Americanbasic cabletelevision network that was founded to have a focus ongospel music. It has expanded into family-friendly original movies, series, and specials. Up TV is 99.9% owned byInterMedia 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.[2]
The Gospel Music Channel was founded in 2004 by Charles Humbard, the son oftelevangelistRex Humbard. It was devoted to gospel music.[3] With Brad Siegel, former president ofTurner Broadcasting's Turner Entertainment Networks, as vice chairman, Humbard launched GMC on October 30, 2004. Gospel Music Channel programmedgospel/Christian music, featuring diverse styles, including traditional andcontemporary gospel,Christian rock and pop,southern gospel, andChristian 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 asFaith and Fame (artist biographies),Front Row Live (concerts), andAmerica Sings (singing competition). The network aired Gospel andChristian music industry award shows, includingThe Stellar Awards (urban gospel) andThe GMADove Awards.
The network was re-branded on June 1, 2013 (the re-branding had been scheduled to occur on September 1, 2013).[4][5]
In the transition before the name-change, in 2010, the channel began carrying popular syndicated series such asCosby,Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman, andThe Waltons, along withJudging Amy. The channel also has aired films such asThe Secret Garden,The Trial, andPay It Forward, as well as Christian movies such asFacing the Giants,The Perfect Summer, andFireproof. OnChristmas Eve andDay, the network airs aYule Log loop with holiday songs from Contemporary Christian artists. Similar to competing family networks such asINSP andHallmark Channel, UPtv now programs multiple weeks of family-friendlyChristmas movies through the holidays in December.Easter movies also populate the programming schedule through April.
The channel continues to air popular syndicated series such asGilmore Girls,America's Funniest Home Videos,Whose Line Is It Anyway?, andHome Improvement. On December 3, 2014, Up announced its first original scripted series under its new brandingTies That Bind, which was canceled after its first season.[6]Ties That Bind[7] starredKelli Williams,Jonathan Scarfe, Dion Johnstone, Matreya Scarrwene,Rhys Matthew Bond,Natasha Calis, Mitchell Kummen and guest starsLuke Perry andJason Priestley.[8] Other original series includeBringing Up Bates and the Canadian importHeartland. UPtv original movies includeLove Finds You in Sugarcreek, Ohio (starringKelly McGillis),The Town That Came A-Courtin' (starringValerie Harper),Finding Normal,My Mother's Future Husband,Raising Izzie, andSaving Westbrook High.[9] UPtv original specials includeK-LOVE Music City Christmas (hosted byCandace Cameron Bure).
On October 7, 2014, UPtv pulled their airings of repeats of the television drama7th Heaven, due to allegations of child molestation against the series lead actor,Stephen Collins.[10]7th Heaven briefly returned to UPtv in December 2014; however, it was quickly removed from the schedule. UPtv CEO Charley Humbard explained, "We brought the show back because many viewers expressed they could separate allegations against one actor from the fictional series itself. As it turns out, they cannot."[11] In late May 2015, UPtv resumed weekday airings of two episodes of7th Heaven, from 5 to 7 p.m. ET; by September 2015, marathon and daily airings of the series had resumed.
In September 2015, the network acquired the rights toGilmore Girls and began to air it in both daily and marathon forms of scheduling, including a full-series marathon onThanksgiving week 2016 to lead into the series'Netflix revival.[12] It also acquired the repeat rights toNBC's 2010 dramaParenthood a year after the demise ofViacom'sNickMom, complementingGilmore Girls, as both series starred actressLauren Graham.
In April 2016, the channel picked up the rerun rights to theTom Bergeron era ofAmerica's Funniest Home Videos.
In 2017, the network acquired rights to reruns ofWhose Line Is It Anyway?, both theDrew Carey run of the past and the current run hosted byAisha Tyler. Both versions carry content disclaimers depending on episode content.
In May 2018, UPtv acquired reruns ofHome Improvement; at around the same time, reruns of this show also began airing on the Viacom-owned cable networkCMT, which at the time had just suspended airing reruns ofRoseanne (that show later returned to that network's schedule). At around this same time, UPtv also quietly retired its "We Get Family" slogan on-air.
In March 2019, UPtv acquired reruns ofThe Librarians; around the same time, they introduced a new emoji-based campaign and branding. In June 2019, UPtv acquired reruns ofReba, and premiered it on August 2, 2019.
In the winter of 2019, afterINSP lost the rights toLittle House on the Prairie, this channel picked up the series and began airing episodes in sequence from thepilot movie onwards during several marathon airings in late December. In January, the series settled in for its normal four-episode block run from 8 a.m. to noon ET.