Have you flipped channels lately only to discover yet another crime procedural or reality dating show? As peak TV continues flooding the airwaves across cable and streaming, finding quality comedies the whole family can watch together often proves a challenge.
But don‘t touch that dial yet! Great American Country, now rebranded as GAC Family, offers a wholesome refuge for fans longing for feel-good entertainment. As GAC continues expanding its heartwarming lineup of original movies and series, viewers may wonder exactly where to find the channel amidst DirecTV‘s extensive offerings.
As your friendly neighborhood TV aficionado, let me walk you through everything needed to start watching GAC hassle-free today. We‘ll explore the network‘s roots, get the scoop on its newest shows, break down the DirecTV channel guide and more. Who knows, GAC‘s rising slate of small-town stories may deliver your next binge-worthy obsession!
Rewind: Tracing GAC‘s Journey from Country Music Video Days
Before diving into GAC‘s current shows, it helps to understand the network‘s origin story. GAC first launched on January 1, 1995 under the name Great American Country. According to industry reports, its premiere day kicked off by airing music videos from top country stars like Garth Brooks.
In the early years, GAC focused exclusively on country music content, much like competitor CMT. But over the next decade, the channel expanded into more rural-themed lifestyle programming through hit shows like Celebrity Motor Homes.
A major turning point arrived in 2013 when Great American Country rebranded shortened its name to just the three-letter acronym GAC. This accompanied a shift away from solely country-centric content to wider array family-friendly entertainment. Ratings initially dipped given the channel‘s staple country fanbase felt alienated by the change.
However, the network steadily regained traction, especially after its acquisition by former Hallmark Media CEO Bill Abbott. He spearheaded another rebrand in 2021, renaming the channel GAC Family (also known as Great American Family). This ushered in a new mandate focused on uplifting stories to "entertain, enrich and inspire families" through original movies and shows.
GAC Family‘s first forays into exclusive programming quickly paid dividends, with its 2022 holiday lineup averaging 1.7 million viewers. Today, the channel stands poised to become a major player in family-centric content, propelled by Abbott‘s proven track record helming Hallmark‘s meteoric rise.
Flipping the Script: Inside GAC‘s Growing Slate of Original Series
As the new kid on the cable programming block, GAC Family currently spotlights two original scripted drama series along with a selection of made-for-TV holiday films. Let‘s glimpse behind the scenes of each production:
When Hope Calls
This spin-off of Hallmark‘s beloved When Calls the Heart transports viewers to Brookfield, a small prairie town in the early 1900s. The show chronicles two sisters – Lillian and Grace – who open an orphanage and get embroiled in hopeful romances and community drama.
Familiar faces to Hearties fans, Lori Loughlin and Daniel Lissing will join the upcoming second season as wealthy husband and wife seeking to adopt an orphan.
A sibling duo keeps Brookfield‘s orphanage running in When Hope Calls (Image Credit: YouTube)
The Abigail Mysteries
Newer to GAC‘s lineup, this mystery-of-the-week format stars Emilie Ullerup as Abby, a local podcaster turned investigator. Alongside childhood best friend turned police sergeant Luke (Ryan Bruce), Abby crack cases around her small town, where mysteries seemingly lurk around every corner.
While only midway through its first season, the show‘s strong ratings have already earned a season two green light. Its charmingtone and tropic Nova Scotia filming location has garnered comparisons to Murdoch Mysteries.
Abby and Luke team up to unravel local mysteries in folksy drama The Abigail Mysteries (Image Credit: IMDb)
Beyond shows, GAC also produces 12-15 original holiday films annually, like 2021‘s The Great Christmas Switch and 2022‘s Much Ado About Christmas.
While GAC Family may not yet rival Hallmark or Lifetime for shear output, early efforts display potential. Execs also plan an incremental content expansion to woo family viewers seeking appropriate stories away from darker adult dramas permeating modern television.
Locating GAC in Your DirecTV Channel Guide
If you feel ready to give wholesome GAC Family shows a test run, here‘s a handy channel cheat sheet across major providers:
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| Provider | GAC Family Channel |
|---|---|
| DirecTV | 326 |
| Dish Network | 379 |
| Verizon FIOS | 294 |
| Spectrum | 132 |
As shown for DirecTV customers above, simply tune in to channel 326 to access GAC‘s selection of heartwarming comedies, light-hearted dramas and wholesome holiday flicks.
Unfortunately, at time of writing, DirecTV does not currently carry sister channel GAC Living. Great American Living offers more reality shows spotlighting modern homesteading, equestrianship and country lifestyle topics.
GAC fans hoping for both channels can check providers like Dish Network or live TV streaming services Philo and FrndlyTV. But the main GAC Family hub on channel 326 delivers plenty of smiles for now!
Here‘s a peek at the actual DirecTV lineup:
GAC Family sits comfortably among lifestyle offerings on DirecTV‘s easy-browse channel guide
Browsing that sea of content, doesn‘t a dose of GAC‘s reliable comfort viewing already call your name? 😉
Why GAC Family Should Become Your New Go-To Feel Good Fix
Still not enticed to take GAC Family for a spin? Let me sweeten the pot by spotlighting why it deserves a coveted spot on your pre-set buttons:
1. Family-Friendly Content – Parents never need worry about age-inappropriate content on GAC with all programming carefully curated for viewers of any age. You can confidently watch beside grandparents and little ones without awkward moments.
2. Programming Variety – From nostalgic Little House on the Prairie reruns to addictive original mysteries, GAC offers wider variety than early country music days. Themes of faith and heartland wholesomeness connect the content.
3. Rising Platform for Fresh Talent – Network execs actively scout regional theater troupes and community playhouses for promising unknown actors to cast in original films. Think of exciting discoveries ahead!
4. Feel-Good Guarantee – While GAC stories explore meaningful themes, every film and episode wraps up neatly with positive resolutions. The channel‘s brand feels synonymous with smiles.
5. Ratings Momentum – Critics can mock "cheesy" movies, but viewers vote with numbers. GAC‘s ratings jumped 24% last holiday season as word-of-mouth grows. Expect content libraries to continue surging year-over-year.
Make no mistake – GAC Family gives Hallmark Channel genuine competition for the first time with its specific family-viewing focus. Get in on the ground now before everyone you know gets hooked! 😄
Accessing GAC on DirecTV: Let the Binge Begin!
Now that you know exactly where to find GAC in your DirecTV lineup, no barriers stop your binge. Just tune in to channel 326 and catch beloved Little House heroine Laura Ingalls sizes up the channel‘s flagship original mystery Emma Whitmore Every Mystery Has a Story…
Laura Ingalls enters the modern mysteries of The Abigail Stories (GIF: Giphy)
Will you join #TeamGAC this year and discover uplifting entertainment for the times when only sweetness will do? Sound off in the comments after your own channel surfing adventures! Happy viewing! 👋
