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GAC CEO Bill Abbott Launches Channel Celebrating American Traditions

GAC Family media

GAC CEO Bill Abbott Launches Channel Celebrating American Traditions

By Movieguide® Contributor

GAC Media, headed by former Hallmark CEO Bill Abbott, recently launched Great American Adventures, the group’s first free ad-supported streaming television (FAST) channel on Comcast’s Xumo platform.

“It’s always the right time to enjoy and celebrate the kind of everyday American traditions we all know and love. Great American Adventures delivers the high-caliber content that allows us to engage millions of viewers across our network,” Stefan Van Engen, senior VP of programming and partnerships, explains.

According to a GAC Family Media Facebook post, “From the team that brought you GAC Family and GAC Living, Great American Channels introduces Great American Adventures! This new, free channel highlights all things Americana, from southern cooking and outdoor living to DIY, while celebrating Great American traditions every day and every season. See what Great American Adventures has to offer.”

GAC Media previously launched the channel GAC Family.

Abbott launched GAC Family to provide viewers with family-oriented entertainment. Movieguide® previously highlighted Abbott’s commitment to creating this type of content. “There’s so much need for family content in the market and in this space,” Abbott said. “It’s pretty scary, quite frankly, the amount of content that’s out there, the vast majority of it is salacious and is not appropriate for any member of the family, really. From my point of view, it’s pretty easy, open space, and something I really am passionate about.”

Great American Adventures focuses on Americana, highlighting topics like Southern cooking and do-it-yourself projects. The channel will celebrate great American traditions year-round with over 500 hours of scripted and unscripted content.

Series on the channel include PATTI LABELLE’S PLACE and SOUTHERN FRIED SKINNY FED WITH PAIGE DUKE.

“The launch of Great American Adventures is a new growth milestone for GAC Media as the company expands into the FAST TV sector,” said Erin McIlvain, Chief Officer, Distribution and Content Strategy at GAC Media. “This new partnership with XUMO will broaden the viewing ecosystem for our content allowing us to reach a new audience while further serving our existing fans with entertaining programming that celebrates Americana.”

Abbott established GAC Media in 2021 with the goal to feature “family-friendly series, original holiday movies and seasonal romcoms that celebrate faith, family and country.” The Great American Adventures channel helps further this goal.  Viewers can access Great American Adventures through Comcast’s Xumo streaming platform.

Movieguide® previously reported on Abbott’s plan for GAC Media: 

Former Hallmark CEO Bill Abbott will now compete with his former company for family-friendly content with GAC Media’s newest network channels.

Fans of Hallmark may have a difficult decision ahead: stick with Hallmark or follow Abbott to GAC Family and GAC Living.

Next TV reported that GAC Media became GAC Family as of Sept. 27 and featured the tagline, “Stories Well Told.”

Abbott, who helped Hallmark grow its streaming content and become one of the most popular family-friendly channels in the market, left in Jan. 2020 after the company came under fire after a commercial featuring a gay marriage.

“At GAC, we’re focused on creating strong brands, compelling programming and a consistent family friendly viewing experience across multiple genres,” Abbott said. “The launch of GAC Family and GAC Living is the next phase in our strategy to bolster the company’s portfolio with networks that deliver on the promise of safe and entertaining storytelling that enriches lives.”

GAC Media also acquired RideTV, which became GAC Living, featuring country-style, wholesome content.

GAC reportedly confirmed that their new channels look “like a page from the Hallmark Channel playbook under Abbott.”

Through GAC Media, Abbott plans to create family-friendly series and movies about “American culture, lifestyle, and heritage.” 

Now more than ever we’re bombarded by darkness in media, movies, and TV. Movieguide® has fought back for almost 40 years, working within Hollywood to propel uplifting and positive content. We’re proud to say we’ve collaborated with some of the top industry players to influence and redeem entertainment for Jesus. Still, the most influential person in Hollywood is you. The viewer.

What you listen to, watch, and read has power. Movieguide® wants to give you the resources to empower the good and the beautiful. But we can’t do it alone. We need your support.

You can make a difference with as little as $7. It takes only a moment. If you can, consider supporting our ministry with a monthly gift. Thank you.

Movieguide® is a 501c3 and all donations are tax deductible.


Now more than ever we’re bombarded by darkness in media, movies, and TV. Movieguide® has fought back for almost 40 years, working within Hollywood to propel uplifting and positive content. We’re proud to say we’ve collaborated with some of the top industry players to influence and redeem entertainment for Jesus. Still, the most influential person in Hollywood is you. The viewer.

What you listen to, watch, and read has power. Movieguide® wants to give you the resources to empower the good and the beautiful. But we can’t do it alone. We need your support.

You can make a difference with as little as $7. It takes only a moment. If you can, consider supporting our ministry with a monthly gift. Thank you.

Movieguide® is a 501c3 and all donations are tax deductible.