GMC Rebrands as Broader-Appealing Up - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Zoneboy · 03-04-2013, 05:45 PM

GMC will have a new moniker this fall, as the faith-friendly cabler renames itself Up.

Name relaunch further signifies the net’s movement away from gospel music as a programming initiative. (GMC originally stood for “Gospel Music Channel” when the cable network launched in 2004.) “Up” is meant to indicate the cabler as the destination for “uplifting entertainment.”

Up brand will launch officially on Sept. 1.

“From the day we launched the network we have delivered on our unique brand promise to provide uplifting entertainment for viewers who want programming that supports their family values,” explained Charles Humbard, prexy of the net. “Up is a fun, fresh name that embodies our unique brand position… According to our research, non viewers’ intent to view more than doubles with the new name Up, thus increasing our unique value to our cable and advertising partners.”

While GMC has maintained a faith-based undertone to its programming, the cabler has shied away from explicitly identifying itself as a religious net, opting instead for jargon like “uplifting,” “positive” and “family values.” Rebranding is yet another step away from the religious fare that the net was known for during its initial launch as the destination for gospel music.

Movement towards broader appeal is serving the network well. GMC wrapped 2012 as its best year ever in ratings in key demo women 25-54, where numbers were boosted 80%. Net is currently available in over 60 million homes.

mets82 · 03-06-2013, 09:31 PM

Beware of when they revamp any network. Usually, that means the Network will change. I dont think GMC will, but usually thats what happens.

tvfan25 · 03-07-2013, 08:44 AM

I hope it's just a name change and they don't change the programming. I've wanted this channel for a long time. Now that my cable company has been bought by another company, I'll be getting new channels in a couple of months and GMC is one of them. I can't wait to watch 7th Heaven, Moesha, 227, Touched By An Angel, etc. None of the channels I have now show any of those shows.

TJ · 04-05-2013, 01:55 PM

The change has been bumped up to June 1.

http://blog.sitcomsonline.com/2013/0...ame-to-up.html

Tubehead · 04-06-2013, 10:36 PM

im kind of glade since they don't show Gospel Music videos igot it couple years ago they didn't show hardly ofGospel Music videos if i was going to chancge my name here some of the

showsi would show:
KUNG FU
Kung Fu: The Legend Continues
Quantum leap
Early eiditon great family show
promise land spinn off from touch by an angle didn't last long
Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman
whipout
empty nest
growing pains
Major dad
Lincoln heights
ripleys beliveit or not with dean cain
the A-team
manumng pi
hanging with mr cooper
calrlfion dreams
saved by the bell
whos the boss?
mamas family
step by step
family matters
perfect strangers
the jerfferons
sanfrod and son
court ship of eddies father

MacLeaper · 04-08-2013, 02:28 PM

Nice list- I'm a fan of most all of those shows- particularly Quantum Leap and Early Edition. I would add MacGyver and Knight Rider to that list myself and maybe trade out some others- but a lot of those are favorites for me.

03-04-2013, 05:45 PM	#1
Zoneboy RIP, I'LL NEVER FORGET YOU :( Moderator Forum Superstar Join Date: Jul 13, 2003 Location: AT HOME WISHING ALL THIS WAS JUST A DREAM AND THAT I'LL WAKE UP FROM THIS NIGHTMARE. Posts: 34,343	GMC Rebrands as Broader-Appealing Up GMC will have a new moniker this fall, as the faith-friendly cabler renames itself Up. Name relaunch further signifies the net’s movement away from gospel music as a programming initiative. (GMC originally stood for “Gospel Music Channel” when the cable network launched in 2004.) “Up” is meant to indicate the cabler as the destination for “uplifting entertainment.” Up brand will launch officially on Sept. 1. “From the day we launched the network we have delivered on our unique brand promise to provide uplifting entertainment for viewers who want programming that supports their family values,” explained Charles Humbard, prexy of the net. “Up is a fun, fresh name that embodies our unique brand position… According to our research, non viewers’ intent to view more than doubles with the new name Up, thus increasing our unique value to our cable and advertising partners.” While GMC has maintained a faith-based undertone to its programming, the cabler has shied away from explicitly identifying itself as a religious net, opting instead for jargon like “uplifting,” “positive” and “family values.” Rebranding is yet another step away from the religious fare that the net was known for during its initial launch as the destination for gospel music. Movement towards broader appeal is serving the network well. GMC wrapped 2012 as its best year ever in ratings in key demo women 25-54, where numbers were boosted 80%. Net is currently available in over 60 million homes.
	__________________ 'Twas The Night Before Christmas And All Through The Full House Not A Creature Was Stirring, Not Even Mighty Mouse. All My Children We're Nestled All Snug In Their Beds While Visions Of Sugarbakers Danced In Their Heads.

03-06-2013, 09:31 PM	#2
mets82 Member Forum Veteran Join Date: Mar 14, 2011 Location: Connecticut Posts: 5,058	Beware of when they revamp any network. Usually, that means the Network will change. I dont think GMC will, but usually thats what happens.
	__________________ http://www.superbowlgreatness.blogspot.com/ Please check out my blog. I vent on all things. TV, sports etc. you name it. Its also a work in progress. Check out and see what you think.

04-08-2013, 02:28 PM	#6
MacLeaper Child of the 80s Forum 3000 Club Member Join Date: Dec 20, 2001 Posts: 3,359	Nice list- I'm a fan of most all of those shows- particularly Quantum Leap and Early Edition. I would add MacGyver and Knight Rider to that list myself and maybe trade out some others- but a lot of those are favorites for me.
	__________________ "Oh boy!" - Dr. Sam Beckett "You can do anything you wanna do if you put your mind to it." - MacGyver "Have mercy!" - Uncle Jesse "Ha, I kill me!" - ALF "I am The Way, The Truth and The Life. No man comes to The Father but by Me."- Jesus Christ (John 14:6)

03-07-2013, 08:44 AM	#3
tvfan25 Member Forum Regular Join Date: Sep 10, 2010 Location: Indiana Posts: 634	I hope it's just a name change and they don't change the programming. I've wanted this channel for a long time. Now that my cable company has been bought by another company, I'll be getting new channels in a couple of months and GMC is one of them. I can't wait to watch 7th Heaven, Moesha, 227, Touched By An Angel, etc. None of the channels I have now show any of those shows.

04-05-2013, 01:55 PM	#4
TJ Site Owner Administrator Forum Star Join Date: Feb 03, 2000 Location: Marietta, GA Posts: 10,658	The change has been bumped up to June 1. http://blog.sitcomsonline.com/2013/0...ame-to-up.html

04-06-2013, 10:36 PM	#5
Tubehead Member Forum Veteran Join Date: Feb 12, 2007 Location: chattanooga.tn Posts: 5,139	im kind of glade since they don't show Gospel Music videos igot it couple years ago they didn't show hardly ofGospel Music videos if i was going to chancge my name here some of the showsi would show: KUNG FU Kung Fu: The Legend Continues Quantum leap Early eiditon great family show promise land spinn off from touch by an angle didn't last long Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman whipout empty nest growing pains Major dad Lincoln heights ripleys beliveit or not with dean cain the A-team manumng pi hanging with mr cooper calrlfion dreams saved by the bell whos the boss? mamas family step by step family matters perfect strangers the jerfferons sanfrod and son court ship of eddies father