'7th Heaven' Joins GMC TV Schedule and Headlines '7th Heaven Summer' July Programming Stunt

ATLANTA, June 29, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- "7th Heaven," the longest-running family drama in television history, will join GMC TV's lineup on July 7, headlining a summer-long "7th Heaven Summer" programming stunt that also will include GMC World Premiere Movies, faith-inspired classic films including The Ten Commandments and marathons featuring uplifting GMC Family Favorites such as the GMC World Premiere series "Heartland," "The Waltons," "Dr. Quinn: Medicine Woman," "Family Ties" and "Sister Sister." 

"7th Heaven" joins the GMC family lineup with marathons beginning Saturday, July 7 (7pm-6am ET) and Sunday, July 8 (9am-7pm ET). "7th Heaven" follows the Camden family as the minister father and stay-at-home mother deal with the drama of having seven children, ranging from toddlers to adults with families of their own. The friends, neighbors and love interests of the various members of the family weigh heavily on the plot of the series, which addresses real-life issues. The series stars Stephen Collins, Catherine Hicks, MacKenzie Rosman, Beverley Mitchell, David Gallagher, Barry Watson and Jessica Biel.

"7th Heaven fits the GMC family-friendly, uplifting entertainment brand like a glove," said Leslie Chesloff, executive vice president, programming. "We are thrilled to be adding it to our lineup and know that our viewers will enjoy these July marathons."

Two GMC World Premiere Movies – Letters to God and Raising Izzie, will air in July.

Letters to God, inspired by a true story, is a heartfelt tale of inspiration, hope and redemption. It is the story of what happens when one boy's walk of faith crosses paths with one man's search for meaning. Tyler Doherty is an extraordinary eight-year-old boy armed with strong faith and courage as he faces his daily battle against cancer. Surrounded by a loving family and community, Tyler's prayers take the form of letters he sends to his ultimate pen pal, God, on a daily basis.  These letters find their way into the hands of Tyler's postman, Brady, who is at a crossroads in his life, searching for meaning.  Brady at first is confused over what to do, but his decision ultimately is a testament to the power of Tyler's shining spirit, bravery and grace.  Letters to God delivers a message of hope, faith and courage that others can apply to their own personal struggles, regardless of what they may face in their everyday lives. The film stars Tanner Maguire, Jeffrey S. Johnson, Robyn Lively (30 Rock, Twin Peaks), Bailee Madison (Lonely Hearts, Just Go With It, Once Upon A Time) and Ralph Waite (The Waltons).

Letters to God premieres Sunday, July 8 at 7pm, 9pm and 11pm ET, with additional airings on Monday, July 9 at 9pm, and Friday, July 13 at 9pm and 11pm ET.

Raising Izzie, starring Rockmond Dunbar, Vanessa Williams, Kyla Kenedy and Victoria Staley, tells the gripping story of Gertie and Izzie, two young girls living on their own. As orphans they are doing the best they can to stay in school, stay undetected and stay together. With assistance from their mother before her passing, the girls are financially prepared to sustain themselves for some time. Gertie, 14, takes seriously her charge to raise her younger sister, Izzie, 10.  Greg and Tonya are a couple whose love for one another radiates and for some time now, they have attempted to build a family and have failed. Tonya longs to share the love and nurturing she has been channeling through her job as a teacher into children of her own.  Raising Izzie premieres Saturday, July 21 at 7pm, 9pm and 11pm ET. It also will air the following day, July 22, at 7pm, 9pm and 11pm ET.

A "7th Heaven" marathon, "Meet The Minister's Daughter," will lead into the July 22 airings of Raising Izzie.

Other elements of GMC's "7th Heaven Summer" include:

FAMILY EXTRAVAGANZA MARATHONS

• Monday, July 2, "Heartland" (10am-11pm ET)
• Tuesday, July 3, "Dr. Quinn: Medicine Woman" (10am-11pm ET)
• Wednesday, July 4, "Candid Camera" (10am-11pm ET)
• Thursday, July 5, "The Waltons" (10am-11pm ET)
• Friday, July 6, "Family Ties" (10am-11pm ET)
• Saturday, July 7, "Sister Sister" (10am-7pm ET)

An additional "Heartland" marathon will run on Sunday, July 29 from 1pm-1am ET with the launch of Season 3 exclusively on GMC August 1 at 9 and 10pm.

GMC (www.watchGMCtv.com) is America's favorite television channel for uplifting music and family entertainment. The Parents Television Council™ has twice awarded its Entertainment Seal of Approval™ to GMC for being "an authentic family-friendly cable network." GMC is the only television network brand to be so honored.  GMC has been the fastest growing entertainment network in television in the key demographics of W18-49 and W25-54.  GMC can be seen in more than 51 million homes on various cable systems around the country, as well as DISH Network on channel 188, DIRECTV on channel 338 and Verizon FiOS on channel 224. Follow GMC TV on Facebook and Twitter at http://facebook.com/gmctv and http://twitter.com/gmctv.

SOURCE GMC TV