The Gospel Music Channel (GMC), America’s first 24-hour all music television network devoted to Christian music, has announced that it will be signing on as sponsors for the national tours of top musical acts Kirk Franklin and Casting Crowns.

The network will be a featured sponsor for the remaining dates of Franklin’s “Hero Tour,” which began Feb. 28 and covers more than 40 markets across 23 states, and Casting Crowns’ “Lifesong Tour,” which resumed its Spring leg on Feb. 9 and will hit 45 markets in 24 states before wrapping up in Wilmore, Ky. In June.

“Being able to partner with such immensely-popular major stars as Kirk and Casting Crowns is a tremendous opportunity for us to reach and activate fans in each market in order to drive awareness and distribution for the channel,” commented Janice Moore, Senior Vice President of Marketing. “Kirk helps deliver us to a predominantly African-American Gospel market, while Casting Crowns appeals to a wide contemporary Christian Music base. Each one of their nearly 90 shows is an exceptional multi-touch point in-market opportunity to spread the word on, and drive demand for, Gospel Music Channel. These are also great opportunities for our distribution and advertising partners to take advantage of.”

GMC’s sponsorship of the tours is multi-faceted, and includes production of the pre-show and intermission video entertainment, a Gospel Music Channel branded bus for Franklin’s tour and tractor trailer for Casting Crowns, promotional posters and tour programs, and booths set up in the hallways of each venue where attendees can sign petitions requesting the channel.

For more information on the Gospel Music Channel, visit www.gospelmusicchannel.com.