NASHVILLE, Tenn. – February 14, 2008 – Gospel Music Channel, the nation’s first and only 24/7 all-gospel/Christian music television network, will become the exclusive television home for the GMA Dove Awards in a multi-year agreement announced today by John W. Styll, president/CEO of Gospel Music Association (GMA) and Charles Humbard, founder and president, Gospel Music Channel (GMC).

The Dove Awards, gospel music’s biggest night of the year featuring artists from every style of gospel/Christian music coming together for a night of music and celebration, will be seen live across the country on GMC beginning with the 39th Annual Doves on Wednesday, April 23 at 8 p.m. (ET). The Dove Awards have aired in national syndication, but have not broadcast live since 2002.

Gospel Music Channel also announced today that The American Bible Society will be the presenting sponsor of the 2008 telecast, with an option to remain through the length of the agreement. The American Bible Society is also the designated charity of the 39th Annual GMA Dove Awards.

“Gospel Music Channel is the perfect partner for GMA and the Doves. We share a similar approach to presenting gospel music to the world and the Dove Awards is GMA’s primary vehicle in that endeavor,” said Styll. “With their ever-increasing distribution, we are excited to grow the profile of the Dove Awards as the channel grows.”

“Gospel/Christian Music’s biggest night now has a dedicated home on gospel/Christian Music fans’ favorite television network,” commented Humbard. “Our relationship with the GMA dates back to the launch of Gospel Music Channel, including our licensing of the Dove’s library from which we produce our popular Best of The Doves series, and this is a natural next step. The Dove Awards live telecast will be a centerpiece of GMC’s schedule for years to come and we’ll build programming, marketing and PR events around it to elevate it even further.”

Dr. Paul Irwin, President and CEO of The American Bible Society added, “The American Bible Society is honored to be in partnership with the 39th Annual Dove Awards and the Gospel Music Channel. Both of these organizations help support the Christian music industry and present the life-changing message of the Bible through song.”

In addition to the television network agreement, nominations for the 39th Annual GMA Dove Awards were announced today at a press conference hosted by Dove and GRAMMY-winning artist Michael W. Smith and host of Gospel Music Channel’s weekly original series The Kitchen Sink, Elle Duncan. Nominated for the Dove Award for Artist of the Year are Casting Crowns, The Clark Sisters, Natalie Grant, Point Of Grace, Skillet, tobyMac and Chris Tomlin. Mark Hall of Casting Crowns led the diverse field with six nominations (Casting Crown also had four nods). Other multiple nominees include David Crowder*Band, Jeremy Camp, Ernie Haas & Signature Sound and Ricky Skaggs. The complete nominations list is at www.doveawards.com.